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July is dedicated to African American Bone Marrow Awareness Month. African American Patients only have a 25% chance of finding a match compared to a 75% chance for Caucasian patients on the registry. It is imperative that individuals of color join the National Bone Marrow Registry.  Geneau Thames, a member of Hero’s board as well…

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health of people of all ages. Now, more than ever, it is critical to reduce the stigma around mental health struggles, because that stigma often prevents individuals from seeking help. So what exactly is mental health? Mental health…

A bone marrow donation is a lifesaving treatment for many patients suffering from blood cancers like leukemia and multiple myeloma, and blood disorders like sickle cell disease and aplastic anemia. The purpose of a bone marrow transplant is to replace the unhealthy blood cells in the patient’s bloodstream with healthy blood-forming cells from a matching…

Last week I had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with Wendy Letow, the Founder and Executive Director of Respite Retreats, a nonprofit organization located in Columbia, MD. Respite Retreats was founded in June 2018 with the mission to “provide retreats of respite to cancer patients, their caregivers, and families, and encourage healthy living…

April is National Volunteer Month. This month is dedicated to honoring all of the volunteers in our communities as well as encouraging volunteerism. The definition of volunteerism is the use or involvement of volunteer labor, especially in community services. This is the practice of providing time and skills for the benefits of other people and…

When I first started my position with Hero as the AmeriCorps/Volunteer Maryland Volunteer Coordinator, I had no idea what to expect. I couldn’t tell you a thing about the national bone marrow registry and I knew very little about blood cancer. I knew that I would be helping those impacted by blood cancer, but I…

Do you have a vague recollection of attending an event years ago and signing up for something related to blood cancer? You are not alone. At every drive we host, at least one person expresses the sentiment that they thought they joined the bone marrow registry but they are not quite sure. To join the…

Social distancing has become a normal part of our life now. We all know the feeling when someone gets too close and you give them the evil glare. Nonetheless, we are all trying to cope with the world’s new changes as we continue to live through this pandemic. We’ve all made it this far, but…

Join Hero this month in celebrating Black History Month! Black History Month is not just a time to celebrate Black Americans who have paved the way for us all to thrive, it is also a time to consider how we can create more justice in our daily lives. National African American History Month in February…

Self-care refers to any action taken to benefit your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Whether you’re recently diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or a survivor of blood cancer, many individual’s feel as though their life is suddenly out of their control. The demands and restrictions of cancer can lead to feelings of frustration and helplessness. Self-care is…