Throughout September we recognize Blood Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) here in Asia and across the world.

As we mark BCAM, I am reminded of a personal friend who unfortunately lost his battle from multiple myeloma in the late 1990s. He passed away six months from the day of diagnosis. Treatment options were limited then; his life was cut short too soon. At the time, I had no idea that nearly 20 years later I would be involved in an organization whose mission includes developing treatments for that very condition. Treatments that extend and improve life and provide the ultimate gift for people battling late-stage disease or a terminal diagnosis; time.

At Janssen, we have a strong legacy across Asia Pacific in leading innovation in the treatment of rare blood cancers. Aligned with Our Credo, we aspire to improve the treatment of haematological malignancies by developing and making available best-in-class, innovative therapeutic solutions to patients that prolong and enhance lives.

Yet, we know there is more to do. We also know that collaboration is at the core of innovation in healthcare. That’s why we work with partners across all stakeholder groups – patients, doctors, payors, policymakers, regulators – because no single stakeholder alone can deliver on innovation and help patients live healthier and happier lives.

This is especially true at the start of every discovery journey towards a new treatment. In 2015, Janssen China R&D formed a strategic collaboration with Ruijin hospital.  Established in 1907, Ruijin is a renowned institution affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University.  The hematology unit is among the very best in China.  One of the major projects we collaborate on at Ruijin is a multi-stage phase 0 non-interventional biomarker study to collect Chinese DLBCL (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) patient samples and conduct genetic analysis as well as immune profiling studies.  DLBCL is one of the most prevalent blood cancers, and this is a key area where we think we can make a significant impact for patients.

Our team, the team at Ruijin, and numerous other partners around the region, share the same goal, to help patients with blood cancers, who often don’t get the same support as those living with more common types of cancer. Most blood cancers (leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma) are not openly discussed in communities across Asia, often leading to misperceptions and myths. or social discourse. Patients often remain ‘invisible’, stigmatized, suffering in silence or simply misunderstood as they battle a disease that may have no outward tell-tale signs or is misperceived as infectious. Throughout the Asia Pacific region this alienation is often more profound, as shame, and disease myths and misconceptions prevail across cultures and throughout society.

Yet while comparatively, patient numbers are small, (patient populations put together make up 7% of all cancers), the need for recognition among these patients is no less significant, and their quest to be heard matters. From mis-diagnosis, to missed diagnosis, this is a patient group that needs support. This is why Janssen has undertaken a strong campaign across the world and on social media, called #makebloodcancervisible, with the aim to help patients, caregivers and families tell the untold stories of living with blood cancer. We hope that sharing these stories and experiences will build greater awareness of the true impact of these cancers to all our healthcare stakeholders and partners globally and specifically in Asia Pacific.

There are many aspects of being the head of Medical Affairs in Asia Pacific at Janssen that drive me and inspire me. None more so than knowing that together with my team and colleagues, I play a role every day in contributing to the creation of a healthier world and in facilitating recognition of diseases that rarely receive the spotlight they deserve.

This month, as we reflect on patients suffering the “invisible” blood cancers, we reflect on what we as the Janssen team need to build on to give those patients a voice and hope: collaboration, innovation and visibility. Our quest continues but our determination to make blood cancer visible is unstoppable.

#BCAM     #MakeBloodCancerVisible