31 Days to Recognize Bladder Cancer Awareness Month

What does May mean to you? For many, we think of sunshine, flowers and return of warmer weather.

For those of us working at EMD Serono in oncology, May means 31 days dedicated to raising awareness about bladder cancer and sharing resources and information to help support those impacted by this disease.

Bladder cancer is the 6th most common cancer in the United States – with more than 80,000 new cases estimated in 2022.¹ The most common form, known as urothelial carcinoma, starts in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder.^.2

We have a long-standing commitment to those in the bladder cancer community, and we are driven to innovate science to advance the standard of care for those impacted by this illness, particularly for those in advanced stages of the disease. We’ve been focused on advancing new treatment paradigms for those with the advanced form of the disease – an important mission, as patients urgently need more treatment options to potentially extend their lives. And we haven’t stopped there, as we’ve supported research into disparities to ensure diverse patient populations impacted by this terrible illness receive the personalized care they need.

And while advancing science is critical, finding ways to support these patients, survivors and caregivers cannot be ignored. That’s why since 2017, we have sponsored Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network’s (BCAN) efforts to fundraise and drive awareness during this month. Our efforts have supported patients and caregivers alike – through our Embracing Carers^TM initiative, we’ve worked with BCAN to develop a guide to support unpaid caregivers managing their loved one’s bladder cancer illness.

This month, 75 of our employees were excited to once again join the Walk to End Bladder Cancer in Boston. But we didn't stop with the Boston walk, as we also had a presence at multiple BCAN walks around the country, from NYC, down to Nashville, up to Chicago, and way west out to Seattle… and many more!

The opportunity to join these walks, whether in-person or virtually from our own homes, underscore why we’re here each day, on our mission to create, improve and prolong life. And it’s why I’m so proud that EMD Serono continues to recognize Bladder Cancer Awareness Month each May.

¹ National Cancer Institute. Cancer Stat Facts: Bladder Cancer. Available at: https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/urinb.html. Accessed May 4, 2022.

² Cancer.net. Bladder Cancer: Introduction. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/bladder-cancer/introduction. Accessed May 4, 2022.