October 25
Every year on October 25, the MDS Alliance and its member groups around the world come together to raise awareness of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) – a type of rare blood cancer where the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells.
There are various types of MDS, some of which stay mild and can be undetected for years, others however are more serious and progressive and can significantly impact patients’ lives.
This World Awareness Day, we are sharing information on the signs and symptoms of MDS and highlighting that getting a blood test, with a full blood count analysis can confirm the diagnosis. Moreover, thanks to the help of our members, we will be presenting interviews with MDS patients and carers to highlight how MDS can affect one’s life and what should be changed to alleviate these challenges.
How can you GET INVOLVED?
This year, we are raising awareness of the MDS symptoms as their early recognition can help to get a timely diagnosis and appropriate care and treatment. We address both the members of the public experiencing the symptoms as well as their loved ones who might help to notice that it could be MDS and encourage to get a blood test.
You can join us in these efforts by sharing the prepared materials on your social media platforms or by disseminating printed poster copies within your community. You can also translate any of the materials into your local language.
1- Download the briefing guide / social media planner
Download the MDS World Awareness Day briefing guide / social media planner below to understand how you can get involved and support the campaign.
MDS World Awareness Day Briefing Guide
MDS World Awareness Day Social Media Planner
Social Media Graphics
Please download or share the below graphics.
Hashtag – please use in all your social posts the following hashtags:
#MDSWAD2023
#bloodcount
Other languages – use our customization tool Canva
Would you like to have these materials in your own language? We have used Canva, an online tool where you can see the graphics and change the text to your own language – please see the link below that takes you directly to the files. It is quick and easy to use, and you can export your version as graphic documents to use.
Profile picture – Twibbon
If you would like to show your support, please add the MDS Twibbon to your profile picture. Go to the Twibbon website and ‘find a Campaign’ search ‘MDS World Awareness Day 2023’
Add to your Twitter or Facebook profile
Posters
Please download and print these posters. Place these posters around your community, in windows or on notice boards. Please feel fee to send a picture and share where you have these on display, tell us your town/country, and we can build up a picture of how far and wide the awareness has reached.
Printable Poster A4
Printable Poster A4
Printable Poster A4
Other languages – use our customization tool Canva
Would you like to have these materials in your own language? We have used Canva, an online tool where you can see the posters and change the text to your own language – please see the link below that takes you directly to the files. It is quick and easy to use, and you can export your version as graphic documents to use.
Canva: How – To guide
Canva is a graphic design platform that allows you to personalise the visuals for the MDS World Awareness Day 2023 campaign by adding your organisation’s logo.
Please follow the instructions below to customise the graphics using Canva.
- Access the Canva template by clicking on the shared Canva link. If you don’t have a Canva account yet, you can register for free on the Canva website www.canva.com
- Once the template is opened in Canva, you will see the separated visuals on the individual pages.
- Click on the text boxes (clearly identified), delete the English text, and type the text in your language.
- Please do not change the graphic elements, just text.
- Feel free to add your organisation logo to the visual.
- When you have finished editing the graphics, click the ‘Share’ icon (located on the right-hand side of your screen) to either share the graphics on your social media platforms or download them for future use.
Facts about MDS
To help our members raise awareness about MDS, signs, symptoms and other aspects of the disease, we have also prepared 10 MDS factsheets that you can share with your community on social media or in a printed version.