Whether you were just diagnosed, are in treatment, or are living beyond it, you will find education, tools, and support here to help you and your family through each stage of a blood cancer journey.
Our education is designed to help you understand a diagnosis and participate in treatment related conversations with your healthcare team, starting with the most foundational knowledge and building your understanding along the way.
Start here to learn the basics of blood cancer, and how it can affect your body.
Not all blood cancers are the same: learn about the most common types and what makes them unique.
Learn about your controllable and uncontrollable risk factors for developing blood cancer.
The most common symptoms that lead to a blood cancer diagnosis and when to talk to your healthcare team.
How doctors know when your symptoms are caused by blood cancer.
What a treatment protocol may include, depending on your specific diagnosis.
All of the information that comes with a blood cancer diagnosis can feel like learning a new language. Our social workers can help you understand your diagnosis and discuss your priorities for upcoming visits with your healthcare team.
Managing treatment related side effects can be the hardest part of cancer treatment. You do not have to do it alone — and there are ways for you to feel more in control, starting with noticing what you’re experiencing and keeping track of it. Speak to a member of our team to learn more about managing side effects and how to work with your care team to ensure you’re maintaining the quality of life you want.
Blood cancer affects more than the body. In these short videos, social workers who specialize in blood cancer support speak to the emotional and social challenges that often come with it — and offer practical ways to cope.
How might you help someone decide what to share about their diagnosis, and with whom, especially early on when they may not have all the information themselves?
How might this differ from other cancer diagnoses, and what does it mean when we say blood cancer can be an invisible illness?
How might that affect someones experience?
What can someone do in the weeks leading up to a stem cell transplant or CAR T to prepare themselves mentally, physically, and logistically?
What might you say to someone who feels like their body betrayed them or lied to them?
How do you suggest someone respond to and cope with comments like “but you look great” when they don’t feel great at all?
How can someone cope with the struggle to accept a diagnosis because they didn’t previously feel sick?
What are your top strategies for helping someone get through an extended isolation period?
What is the watch and wait period?
How can someone entering this phase prepare to manage anxiety around monitoring appointments?
Prefer to talk with someone instead? Contact our social work team today.
A cancer diagnosis can impact a whole household. Every person in the family deserves tailored support to address their needs.
Watch Caitlin Novelli, Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) from Crossroads4Hope, use building blocks and Playdoh to discuss cancer in an approachable way for people of all ages.
Marsha shared what it was like when her husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma — the first days, the questions, and how their family found its footing.
Hear Marsha share her experience caring for her husband when he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.
Tangible tips for coping with the stress of being a care partner.
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A guide book highlighting your children’s developmental needs, typical responses and how to talk about cancer to children or teenagers at any age.
See Crossroads4Hope list of trusted books and workbooks for children of all ages. We encourage families to use these tools to educate children and open dialogue within the family.
Parents and loved ones should not be expected to know how to handle cancer AND raising children. We know that children and teens need different support. Our family-centered approach ensures that the whole family is getting the support that they need, in the way they need it. Email our Support4Familie team today.
Everything Crossroads4Hope offers is free — no referral, no insurance, no eligibility screening. Access support today.
Speak with a licensed social worker, or join a group matched to where you are today.
A direct-to-mobile supportive care lifeline with weekly check-ins and real people behind it.
There are many resources available. Our team can help you navigate them.
Select from a wide range of programs offered in person in New Jersey, or virtually for you to join from anywhere.
Speak to a member of our team today to explore which Crossroads4Hope programs will best fit your needs.
Trusted organizations we point people to for diagnosis-specific education, transplant and trial information, and tracking tools. These links open on partner sites.
Plain-language basics on chronic lymphocytic leukemia —
diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment.
Interactive 3D models of blood, marrow, and cancer cells to see
what your team is describing.
Donor matching, transplant search support, and patient
resources for cellular therapy.
How blood works, written for
patients by the hematology
professional society.
What a blood stem cell transplant involves, start to finish, including recovery and late effects.
Diagnosis-specific education and symptom tracking tools you can share with your care team.
Search blood cancer clinical trials matched to your diagnosis and location.
Cancer rehabilitation education — restoring strength and function during and after treatment.
Not sure where to start? A Crossroads4Hope social worker can point you to the right resource for your diagnosis.
Practical tools you can pick up and use at any time. Both are free, relevant for family members too, and neither requires a referral.
Our My Voice Matters Planner is a free workbook designed to help you organize your medical information, questions for your healthcare team, and your own priorities and values. Use it to track medications, appointments, and side effects, reflect on what a “good day” looks like for you, and prepare for conversations with your care team – so you feel heard, informed, and in control every step of the way.
Crossroads4Hope’s MyGo2Support (MG2S) complimentary, mobile support program – available in English and Spanish – is designed to put our free resources into your hands 24/7. There’s no app to download – its just texts sent to your phone – so no matter who you are, where you live, or where you are in your journey with cancer, you have access to our free, personalized support and resources, when you need it most.
Hearing from people who have faced blood cancer can make your own path feel less uncertain. Our free support groups and the stories shared here are reminders that you do not have to go through this alone.
Joining a support group can help you connect with others who are in a similar situation.
Refer your patients, access our resources, and partner with Crossroads4Hope at no cost to your practice.
People further along in their blood cancer journey share about their experience and what they wish someone had told them at the beginning.
1. CancerQuest. The biological building blocks. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://cancerquest.org/cancer-biology/biological-building-blocks
2. Penn Medicine. Blood cancer care. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://lp.pennmedicine.org/cancer/blood-cancer
3. Cleveland Clinic. Blood cancer: types, symptoms & treatment. Updated April 15, 2025. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22883-blood-cancer
4. American Society of Hematology. Blood basics. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/blood-basics
5. National Cancer Institute. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment (PDQ®): patient version. Updated May 12, 2025. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia/patient/adult-all-treatment-pdq
6. Mayo Clinic. Leukemia: symptoms and causes. Updated December 20, 2024. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/leukemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20374373
7. CLL Navigator. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia basics. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://cllnavigator.com/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/basics/
8. Mayo Clinic. Lymphoma: symptoms and causes. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lymphoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20352638
9. Mayo Clinic. Multiple myeloma: symptoms and causes. Updated August 22, 2026. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-myeloma/symptoms-causes/syc-20353378
10. Cleveland Clinic. Complete blood count (CBC): what it is & normal ranges. Updated March 14, 2024. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4053-complete-blood-count
11. American Cancer Society. Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration. Updated March 26, 2026. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/diagnosis-staging/tests/biopsy-and-cytology-tests/bone-marrow-biopsy-and-aspiration.html
12. NewYork-Presbyterian. Blood cancer: diagnosis & treatment. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://www.nyp.org/cancer/blood-cancer/treatment
13. Cleveland Clinic. PET scan: procedure details and results. Updated April 14, 2026. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/10123-pet-scan
14. Cleveland Clinic. Flow cytometry: test, uses, & results. Updated August 1, 2024. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22086-flow-cytometry
15. Stanford Clinical Laboratories. Cytogenetics & FISH. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://stanfordlab.com/molecular-pathology/cytogenetics.html/fish.html
16. Cancer Research Institute. Immunotherapy biomarkers. Published January 2020. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://www.cancerresearch.org/biomarkers-in-cancer-immunotherapy
17. American Cancer Society. Types of stem cell or bone marrow transplant. Updated July 10, 2025. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/types-of-transplants.html
18. CLL Navigator. How treatment works in your body. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://cllnavigator.com/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/how-treatment-works-in-your-body/
19. National Foundation for Cancer Research. Blood cancer. Published 2026. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://www.nfcr.org/cancer-types/cancer-types-blood-cancer/
20. Leukemia Research Foundation. Watch and wait for leukemia. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://leukemiarf.org/patients/treatment/options/watch-and-wait/
21. Mayo Clinic. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: diagnosis and treatment. Updated October 24, 2025. Accessed September 22, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352433
Crossroads4Hope is here for you and your family.
The human body is made of tiny building blocks, called cells.1 There are many kinds of cells in the body, like brain cells, skin cells, and hair cells. Cells help the body grow, move, breathe, and heal. Cells normally grow and divide to make new cells. Cancer occurs when cells grow in an uncontrolled way. These cells don’t stop growing the way they should.
What is Blood Cancer?
Blood is made up of different types of cells.2-4 Blood cells carry oxygen, help fight germs, and help wounds/injuries to stop bleeding. Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones where new blood cells are made. Blood cancer is cancer that starts in the blood-forming tissue or the cells in the immune system. These abnormal cells can crowd out healthy blood cells, making it harder for them to do their job.
Parts of the blood
Red blood cells have a special protein called hemoglobin which helps carry oxygen to all parts of the body.4 Blood appears red because of the large number of red blood cells, which get their color from hemoglobin.
White blood cells help protect the body from infections
Platelets are small cell pieces that help stop bleeding by gathering at the site of an injury. A scab forming on a cut.
Plasma is the liquid part of the blood that the blood cells float inside
Types of Blood Stem Cells
Blood stem cells can develop into different types of blood cells.4,5
Myeloid stem cells can develop into red blood cells, platelets, and some types of white blood cells.
Lymphoid stem cells can develop into lymphocytes which include T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells
T cells help control other immune cells and directly attack infected cells and tumors
B cells make antibodies, proteins that recognize and help fight specific germ
Blood Cancer is an umbrella term for all diagnoses that affect the blood and lymphatic system. The three most common groups of blood cancers are Leukemias, Lymphomas and Myeloma.
Leukemia– These blood cancers start in the bone marrow as blood cells are formed.3,6 Too many white blood cells are created that do not work the right way. Leukemia is named/classified by what blood cells are involved (lymphocytes or myeloid) and how quickly it grows (acute or chronic) 6. These are the different types of Leukemia.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): A type of slow growing leukemia that affects the myeloid cells. CML is more common in adults than in children.6
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): A slow growing Leukema that affects the B lymphocyte cells, a type of white blood cell.6,7,21
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): A quickly growing Leukemia that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes.6 This is the most common type of leukemia in children, but can also affect adults.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): An aggressive Leukemia that affects white blood cells called myeloid cells. AML can affect children and adults.6
Lymphoma- Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system.3,8 The lymphatic system, including bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils and appendix, is a part of your body’s immune system which helps your body fight germs and stay healthy.
Hodgkin Lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of lymphoma where abnormal cells called Reed-Sternberg cells are present. Doctors can see these cells under a microscope. They are bigger than healthy cells and usually have more than one center, called a nucleus
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: There are many kinds of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and they can look different under a microscope. There are no Reed-Sternberg cells present in Non- Hodkin Lymphomas.
Myeloma- Myeloma Starts in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell found in bone marrow that makes germ-fighting proteins.9
While doctors don’t always know what causes blood cancer to happen, there are some genetic and
lifestyle factors that can contribute to someone’s risk.2,3,6,19
What are the most common risk factors?
– Age: Risk goes up as people get older
– Sex: Blood cancer is more common in males
– Smoking: Smoking or breathing in secondhand smoke
– Radiation and chemical exposure
– Past cancer treatment: Having had chemotherapy or radiation before
– Family history: Some blood cancers can run in families, but most people diagnosed don’t have a family member with blood cancer
– Certain health conditions: Some autoimmune diseases, long-term inflammation, and genetic conditions are linked to a higher risk
Is there any way to prevent it?
Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of developing a variety of cancers and other diseases.3,6,19 This includes:
– Staying active
– Eating a well-balanced diet
– Avoiding exposure to chemicals and radiation
– Avoid smoking or tobacco in any form
While different diagnoses may have different symptoms, the main signs and symptoms of blood cancers are: 3,6,19
– Feeling very tired
– Getting sick or infections often
– Bruising or bleeding easily
– Swollen lymph nodes (in the neck, armpit, or groin)
– Bone or joint pain
– Losing weight without trying
**Talk to a doctor if you are experiencing any symptoms that you are concerned about.
Blood work and Complete Blood Count
A complete blood count (CBC or also known as FBC, full blood count) measures the amount of different parts of the blood present in a sample; red blood cells, hemoglobin, white blood cells, and platelets.10,4 Low or high blood cells counts can be a sign of many health conditions, including infections, cancer, blood conditions and medication side effects. Additional testing may be required to learn more about why counts may be high or low. Blood will be obtained through a blood draw, a procedure where a small amount of blood is taken from the vein.
Bone marrow biopsy
A procedure that takes out a small amount of the spongy middle part of your bone so that doctors can find out how it is working.11-12,3,5 A bone marrow biopsy involves removing a sample of the solid part of the bone marrow. A bone marrow aspiration involves removing a sample of the liquid part of the bone marrow.
Lymph node biopsy
A procedure where a doctor removes all or part of a lymph node to check for signs of infection, disease, or cancer.12
Imaging
Ultrasound: A procedure to look at the inside of the body using sound.12,3 A wand like tool sends sound waves into the body when touched to skin, and the waves bounce off organs like an echo, and then a computer turns them into pictures and videos.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans: A large camera that takes detailed pictures of the inside of your body using magnets and radio waves. The camera looks like a tunnel and makes loud noises when it takes pictures, like hums, knocks, and beeps.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: A PET scan takes pictures of the inside of your body to see how your organs and tissues are working.12-13 It uses a large camera that measures a small amount of radioactive material, called a radiotracer, that is injected into the body.
Flow cytometry
Flow cytometry is a lab test used to look closely at cells to see if they look different than others.12, 14 It uses a laser and a special machine to count, sort, and identify types of cells from a sample of blood, bone marrow, tissue, or other body fluid.
Cytogenetics and FISH
A lab test that looks closely at the tiny parts inside cells, called chromosomes, that carry information about a person’s body, to see if anything looks different than normal.15,5
Biomarker testing
Short for ‘biological markers’, a biomarker is a clue or signal inside your body that doctors can measure.16 Biomarkers can be found in genes, bodily fluids or tissues, and seen in imaging, labs, and physical exams. Biomarkers can help the medical team learn the exact type of cancer someone has, how it may behave, and the treatment that might work the best.
Blood cancer treatment varies due to many factors, including your diagnosis, biomarkers, and your body’s response. Care plans may include the following treatments:
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a group of medications used to stop cancer cells from growing, to slow the disease, or help get rid of it.12,3,2 This is the most common treatment for blood cancer. Doctors use different chemotherapy medicines for different types of blood cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Radition Therapy is a machine that uses high energy rays to get rid of cancer cells by damaging the inside of abnormal cells so they can’t make copies of themselves.12,3 Radiation is another common treatment, especially for specific cancers.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a common treatment for blood cancer.12,3,2 It is a treatment that helps the body’s immune system recognize and destroy abnormal cells.
Car T Cell Therapy: One kind of immunotherapy that changes the genes inside a person’s own T cells. These changed T cells are trained to find and attack cancer cells without harming nearby healthy cells.
Targeted Therapy
This type of treatment uses specialized medication to target weak spots in cancer cells linked to gene changes.12,3,2
Stem Cell Transplant
A stem cell transplant replaces diseased or damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells.12,17,3,2 There are two main types of stem cell transplant, Autologous and Allogenic.
Autologous (auto) Stem Cell Transplant: “Auto” means self and in an auto stem cell transplant, you are your own donor. Your stem cells are removed from your body and returned to you later.
Allogeneic (allo) Stem Cell Transplant: “Allo” means other and in allo stem cell transplant, the stem cells come from another person, also known as a donor. The donor could be related or unrelated to the person getting the transplant.
BTK inhibitors
Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) is protein inside cancerous B cells that sends signals telling the cells to grow and spread.18 BTK inhibitors are medicines that blocks this signal and can help stop the abnormal cells from growing or multiplying.
Active Monitoring
A period of time that may be recommended as a pre-treatment step for slower growing blood cancers.20
