Resources and support

Find organisations, books, videos and other resources to help you cope with hairy cell leukaemia and its treatment.

Cancer Research UK information and support

Cancer Research UK is the largest cancer research organisation in the world outside the USA. We fund research on all aspects of cancer from its causes to prevention and treatment.

We are committed to producing high quality information for people affected by cancer. As well as looking at the information on this website you can call our nurse freephone helpline on 0808 800 4040. They are available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Or you can send them a question online.

Cancer Chat is our online forum where you can share experiences.

Specific leukaemia organisations and sites

Blood Cancer UK funds research into leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. It also provides patient information booklets and leaflets that you can download or order from their website. 

Support line: 0808 2080 888 

Email address: support@bloodcancer.org.uk

Leukaemia Care is a national blood cancer support charity, committed to ensuring that anyone affected by blood cancer receives the right information, advice and support. 

It provides a range of support services to patients and their carers, including information, support groups, patient and carer conferences, and nurse education days.

Freephone helpline: 08088 010 444 

Chat via WhatsApp on 07500068065

The CLL Support Organisation provides information and support to people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and their carers. It also promotes research into the treatment of CLL.

Tel: 0800 977 4396

Blood and bone marrow organisations

Anthony Nolan runs one of the largest bone marrow donor databases in the world. It has regional centres which are listed on its website. It also provides information about being a stem cell or bone marrow donor. 

It is looking for people in good health aged 16–30 to join the Anthony Nolan register. In particular, they need more young men and people from black and minority ethnic communities to sign up.

General enquiries: 0303 303 0303, open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Email: patientinfo@anthonynolan.org 

The National Blood Service runs the blood donation scheme and organises the supply of blood products. They also run the British Bone Marrow Register. People aged between 17 and 40 can join the register. Let the staff know you are interested in being a stem cell or bone marrow donor when you next donate blood.

Phone the number below or look at the website for more information about becoming a blood stem cell or bone marrow donor.

Tel: 0300 123 2323

DKMS used to be called Delete Blood Cancer. It aims to provide a matching donor for every blood cancer patient in need of a blood stem cell donation. It has offices in the UK, Germany, Chile, Poland, India, Africa and the United States.

People between the ages of 18 to 55 and are in general good health can join the register.

Email: info@dkms.org.uk

Phone: 020 8747 5620

Other support and information organisations

Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity that gives practical, medical and financial support to people with cancer in the UK. Its helpline gives guidance on cancer and advice on benefits. It also publishes booklets about cancer and treatments. Information is available in other languages.

Freephone: 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm)
Contact email form

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the US organisation for cancer research. It has information about all types of cancer. 

Booklets, CDs and factsheets from other organisations

  • Healthy eating and cancer
  • Lost for words – how to talk to someone with cancer
  • Sexuality and cancer 
  • Understanding chemotherapy (also on CD)
  • Understanding cancer research trials (clinical trials)
  • Talking to children and teenagers when an adult has cancer (also on CD)
  • Talking about your cancer 
  • Hairy Cell Leukaemia (HCL)
  • Newly diagnosed with a blood cancer
  • Watch and wait – monitoring while treatment is not necessary

Healthtalk.org

Provides free, reliable information about health issues including mental health, by sharing people's real-life experiences.

Find local cancer information and support

The NHS website helps you to find local cancer information and support in England.

Cancer Research UK nurses

For support and information, you can call the Cancer Research UK information nurses. They can give advice about who can help you and what kind of support is available. Freephone: 0808 800 4040 - Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Last reviewed: 
22 Oct 2021
Next review due: 
22 Oct 2024

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