National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day Date in the current year: November 7, 2024

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects lymphocytes (white bloods cells that play an important role in the immune system). It is characterized by a proliferation of malignant lymphocytes in various organs, most commonly in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, and liver. Lymphoma is one of the most common types of cancer in dogs.

Canine lymphoma is caused by genetic factors, and some breeds are more commonly affected than others. Airedale terriers, basset hounds, beagles, boxers, bulldogs, chow chows, German shepherds, poodles, rottweilers, Scottish terriers, St. Bernards, and especially golden retrievers are susceptible to developing lymphoma at some point in their lives.

Canine lymphoma has many types depending on its grade and location. The most common type, accounting for more than 80% of cases, is multicentric lymphoma. Its signs and symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, loss of appetite, weight loss, loss of fur or hair, fever, vomiting, and depression. Lymphoma is a rapidly progressing disease that can kill a dog in two months if untreated. There is no reliable cure for this type of cancer, but chemotherapy and other treatments can help to achieve remission.

National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day was created by Terry Simmons, a well-known dog agility trainer and competitor. In 2011, his beloved dog Reveille was diagnosed with lymphoma. As a responsible and experienced dog owner, Simmons started looking for ways to help his dog overcome the disease and soon discovered that information regarding available treatment options was hard to come by.

Luckily, Simmons connected with professionals who helped him choose the best treatment for his furry companion. Reveille thrived throughout her treatment and even won agility competitions, but, alas, canine lymphoma is incurable, and eventually time came for Simmons to let his beloved dog go. To honor Reveille’s memory, he founded CLEAR (Canine Lymphoma Education Awareness and Research), a foundation that strives to provide dog owners with accurate information and resources about canine lymphoma, in 2012.

Three years later, Simmons and his team at CLEAR launched National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day to empower dog owners through education about this devastating disease and promote research into canine lymphoma with the aim of eventually finding a cure.

You can observe National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day by educating yourself about this type of cancer, learning about its signs and symptoms, taking your dog to a vet for a check-up (just in case!), donating to an organization that funds canine lymphoma research, and spreading awareness about canine lymphoma on social media.