On May 25, 2016 Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNSS) reported its support for the first-ever Acute Myeloid Leukemia Awareness Month to be held in June. The goal of the campaign, which is being sponsored by CancerCare, is to put a spotlight on the disease, a rare and difficult-to-treat blood cancer that typically affects older adults (Press release, Sunesis, MAY 25, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2172293 [SID:1234512773]).
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Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow and can worsen quickly if left untreated. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is estimated that there will be 19,950 new cases of acute myeloid leukemia in 2016 and an estimated 10,430 people will die from the disease. AML is more common in older adults, who are also the most difficult to treat, with 67 as the median age of diagnosis. While progress in treating leukemia has been made, there has been only one AML treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the past 30 years (and that drug was subsequently withdrawn from the market).
Patricia J. Goldsmith, CEO of CancerCare, said, "AML Awareness Month will feature in-depth information about AML on the organization’s website, including a video that features NBA broadcaster Craig Sager who is battling the disease, as well as his son, Craig, Jr., who donated his bone marrow twice in an effort to save his father. The website will also offer people living with AML and their caregivers easy-to-use, informative resources to understand their condition. We thank Sunesis Pharmaceuticals for their unrestricted educational grant which has helped to support the development of these resources."
"We are delighted to be supporting CancerCare’s efforts to raise awareness of acute myeloid leukemia," said Daniel Swisher, Chief Executive Officer of Sunesis. "Because it is a rare disease with an older patient population, there has been little attention focused on AML. As a company that is determined to deliver a new treatment option for this disease, we want to support the AML community by helping to provide more education and information for patients and caregivers."
Goldsmith added, "The AML community’s voice has not always been heard because the disease itself is so rare and the mortality rate is so high. We hope to put a spotlight on AML in June and help focus attention on the urgent need these patients and their families have for hope."
Patients and caregivers can find educational resources on AML online at www.cancercare.org; an unrestricted educational grant from Sunesis has helped to support the development of the informational resources on AML which also includes a patient and caregiver workshop webinar to be held on June 17.
About CancerCare
Founded in 1944, CancerCare is the leading national organization providing free, professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. Our comprehensive services include counseling and support groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications and financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by oncology social workers and world-leading cancer experts. Headquartered in New York, NY, CancerCare maintains three additional locations in Norwalk, CT, Ridgewood, NJ and Syosset, NY.