Blood Diseases Month in the Philippines: A Time to Act and Understand

In the Philippines, blood diseases remain among the significant health challenges affecting our population. From anemia to leukemia, many Filipinos suffer silently from disorders that, when neglected, can lead to serious complications or death. That’s why, each year, September is observed as Blood Diseases Month in the country—to raise awareness, strengthen advocacy, and mobilize action.

The Legal Mandate: Proclamation No. 1833

In 2009, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Proclamation No. 1833, s. 2009, officially declaring September as Blood Diseases Month. Lawphil+2Senate Legislative Database+2 Under the proclamation, the Department of Health (DOH) is designated as the lead agency, collaborating with the Philippine Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (PSHBT) and other relevant groups, to coordinate programs that heighten public knowledge and understanding of blood-related disorders. Lawphil

The proclamation noted that three major types of blood conditions—leukemia, anemia, and various bleeding disorders—account for a considerable portion of disease burden in the country. Lawphil+1 It further emphasized that nutritional deficiencies and environmental factors contribute to increasing incidence of blood diseases, which requires intensified prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation efforts. Lawphil+1

Why Blood Diseases Month Matters

• High incidence and mortality: In the Philippines, estimates suggest around 12,000 new cases of blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma) are diagnosed each year—equivalent to roughly 33 Filipinos every day. Philstar QA+2Manila Standard+2
• Leukemia prominence: Among blood cancers, leukemia is particularly concerning. In 2025, the DOH highlighted that leukemia ranks 8th in morbidity and 5th in mortality among cancers in the country. BusinessMirror
• Shortage of blood supply: Many procedures for cancer treatment, surgeries, or complications require blood transfusions. Hospitals often struggle with blood product shortages. For example, the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) has run donor drives to replenish their supply. Philippine Information Agency+1
• Advocacy and policy gaps: In 2024, stakeholders convened the first-ever Blood Cancer Patient Forum (theme “Kanser sa Dugo, Laban ng Bawat Pilipino”) to push for better access to care, policy reform, and patient support systems. Manila Standard+1
• Future infrastructure plans: A Senate bill (S.B. No. 2584) has been filed to establish a Philippine Blood Disease and Transfusion Center, aiming to bring specialized care, hematology labs, and stem cell transplant capabilities under one roof. epcalmfoundation

Key Blood Disorders to Know

Below is a summary of common blood-related disorders that deserve attention during Blood Diseases Month:

Disorder	What It Affects	Common Symptoms	Significance in PH
Anemia	Red blood cells or hemoglobin	Fatigue, pallor, shortness of breath	Widespread in nutrient-deficient or low-income communities. NNC+1
Bleeding disorders (e.g. hemophilia)	Coagulation factors / platelets	Excessive bleeding, easy bruising	Needs lifelong management, limited access.
Leukemia	White blood cells / bone marrow	Fever, infections, bleeding, fatigue	High mortality; increasing incidence in PH. PMC+2BusinessMirror+2
Lymphoma	Lymphatic system cells	Swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever	One of the more common blood cancers. Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Myeloma	Plasma cells in bone marrow	Bone pain, kidney problems, anemia	Less common but serious when advanced.

These disorders illustrate how blood health intersects with nutrition, genetics, environment, and healthcare access.

How Filipinos Can Help

During Blood Diseases Month—and beyond—here are concrete ways individuals, communities, and institutions can contribute:

1. Donate blood regularly
   This is perhaps the most powerful act. Blood banks and hospitals are frequently short of supply. Walk-in donors and organized blood drives save lives. For instance, EPCALM and other foundations partner with hospitals to hold donation events. Manila Bulletin+2epcalmfoundation+2
2. Educate your community
   Use social media, local barangay forums, school programs to raise awareness about blood diseases, their symptoms, and early diagnosis. During September, many organizations run webinars and forums.
3. Support advocacy groups
   Groups like the Blood Cancer Alliance of the Philippines and patient support organizations advocate for better policies and assistance. epcalmfoundation+1
4. Advocate for structural reform
   Push for passage and funding of initiatives like the proposed Blood Disease and Transfusion Center. Work with local officials to integrate screening programs in rural health units.
5. Support patients
   Offer emotional support, help with transportation, and direct them to financial assistance programs (e.g. DOH, PCSO, cancer assistance funds). Many patients face high out-of-pocket costs.

DOH Programs & Assistance

To mitigate the burden of blood cancers and improve access, the DOH has integrated adult blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma) into the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) and the Cancer and Supportive-Palliative Medicines Access Program (CSPMAP), providing assistance and subsidized medicines. Department of Health

Moreover, the government observes World Leukemia Awareness Month in September, using it as a platform to amplify messages on blood diseases. BusinessMirror+1

Spotlight: “Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma” Initiative

In February 2022, Takeda Philippines launched the "Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma" initiative. This project collaborates with groups like the Philippine Cancer Society, Philippine College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, and Lymphoma Philippines to:

• Offer free testing (e.g. CD30 assays) to detect lymphoma early
• Conduct public education campaigns
• Create partnerships for improved patient access to treatment Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Such collaborations exemplify how private sector, medical societies, and civil society can converge in public health efforts.

Realities and Challenges in the PH Context

• Access disparity: Rural and remote communities often lack hematologists, diagnostic labs, or transfusion facilities. Timely diagnosis and treatment may require traveling long distances.
• Cost barriers: Many treatments, such as chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, or targeted therapy, are expensive. Some patients cannot sustain long-term care due to financial constraints.
• Data gaps: Lack of a centralized national registry for blood diseases hampers epidemiological planning. That’s why initiatives like BLOOM Philippines (a hospital-based blood cancer registry) were launched at the 2024 patient forum. theAsianparent Philippines
• Blood supply logistics: Even in urban centers, matching blood types and ensuring component availability pose logistical challenges.

Moving Forward: What to Expect

• Continued advocacy for blood disease infrastructure (e.g. the proposed transfusion center) will likely gain more traction in Congress and public discourse. epcalmfoundation
• Patient-centered forums, policy dialogues, and health tech (chatbots like LymphomaQR) will help bridge information gaps. theAsianparent Philippines+1
• Private–public partnerships (e.g. drug companies, NGOs) may expand free testing, support programs, and awareness campaigns across the archipelago.

Conclusion

Blood Diseases Month in the Philippines is not just a date on the calendar—it is a reminder that blood health affects every Filipino, directly or indirectly. From anemia in vulnerable populations to aggressive blood cancers in urban centers, the fight against blood disorders demands education, policy support, resource mobilization, and compassion.

As September each year rolls in, let us all commit to:

• Sharing accurate information
• Donating blood without hesitation
• Supporting patients and advocacy efforts
• Pushing for reforms that bring quality hematology care to every barangay

To learn more about blood diseases, their symptoms and treatments, you can visit the Philippine Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion [website] or read up on blood cancer statistics from Global Cancer Observatory / WHO.

Together, we can turn awareness into action—and give hope and healthier lives to Filipinos affected by blood diseases.

SOURCES

• https://www.lls.org/article/september-blood-cancer-awareness-month
• https://www.eaglenews.ph/september-is-blood-diseases-month/