September is International Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Local company Terumo Blood and Cell Technology has introduced Reveos, an automated blood processing system that will help those living with blood-related cancers.

Blood cancers include leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and Hodgkin's disease. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Blood Cancer Awareness Month announcement, more than 1.3 million people in the U.S. are living with blood cancer.

“Although they are the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., many people don't know the impact of the blood cancers — leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma,” the society’s announcement said.

Blood is essential for treating these cancers.

“Blood transfusion using cells donated by healthy volunteers can help replace red cells, platelets and other blood components,” the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society website stated. “Some people with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood diseases or disorders such as hereditary anemias and aplastic anemia need periodic blood transfusions for several reasons.”

According to the Society, transfusions are necessary for leukemia patients because the cancer interferes with the usual blood production process in the body. Leukemia blood production issues affect the bone marrow and blood. The drugs used to treat blood cancers, particularly chemotherapy drugs also impair regular blood production temporarily. Transfusions replenish the blood in the system while the chemo is working.

Reveos was developed because the need for blood is high, however, blood donation has greatly declined, especially here in Colorado.

“Reveos will help address the worsening blood products shortage in Colorado (and rising demand for treating patients with conditions like cancer or trauma) without requiring additional blood donors,” the Reveos announcement said. “In addition, it will help U.S. blood centers reduce labor and costs and improve overall operational efficiency.”

Terumo BCT will use Reveos to increase the availability of blood products. “Reveos will help blood centers maximize the use of whole blood donations while increasing the availability of platelets for patients in need,” said Bill Block, President and CEO of Blood Centers of America.

Reveos will also help streamline the amount of time blood collection staff need to prep the blood for use in blood cancer treatment and other medical uses.

“Reveos has a long-standing track record for helping blood centers globally meet the critical needs of patients while creating efficiencies in their operations,” said Antoinette Gawin, President and CEO of Terumo BCT. “We continue to invest significantly in innovation for the future and in supporting blood centers. Reveos and IMUGARD together target the growing and critical need for platelets. These are just more examples of our holistic work focused on blood centers.”

According to Terumo BCT, the IMUGARD WB Platelet Pooling Set is a product already on the market. “It supports the extended shelf life of platelets from five days to seven days,” the Terumo BCT website said.

For more information on Terumo BCT and its blood production services and products, visit TerumoBCT.com.

Learn more about Blood Cancer Awareness Month at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society website, lls.org.