MDS World Awareness Day October 25th – 2025
25 Oct. 2025
Every year on October 25, we join the global MDS community to mark MDS World Awareness Day — a day dedicated to raising awareness of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a rare blood cancer that often goes unrecognised.
Spot the Symptoms - #BrusingBleedingFatigue
This year, our focus is on helping people spot the symptoms of MDS — a condition that’s often missed or mistaken for other health problems. Subtle changes such as persistent tiredness, easy bruising, or breathlessness after light activity shouldn’t be ignored. By recognising these signs and asking your GP for a Full Blood Count (FBC), more people can receive the right diagnosis, support, and treatment sooner.
Fatigue and Anaemia
Feeling unusually tired, weak, or lacking energy is one of the most common signs of MDS. This fatigue is often caused by anaemia, when the body doesn’t produce enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body.
People may experience:
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Persistent tiredness even after rest or sleep
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Difficulty concentrating
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Dizziness or light-headedness
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Muscle weakness
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Pale skin
These symptoms are often mistaken for normal ageing, stress, or other conditions — but if they persist, speak to your GP and ask for a Full Blood Count to rule out MDS.
Easy Bruising and Bleeding
Bruising or bleeding more easily than usual can be an early warning sign of MDS. This happens when platelets — the blood cells that help with clotting — are too low (a condition called thrombocytopenia).
You may notice:
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Frequent or unexplained bruises
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Bleeding gums or nosebleeds
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Heavy or prolonged bleeding from small cuts
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Tiny red or purple spots under the skin (petechiae)
If you notice these symptoms, speak to your GP and ask for a Full Blood Count. This simple test can quickly check your platelet levels and show whether you need a referral to a haematologist.
Breathlessness and Shortness of Breath
Feeling breathless after minimal exertion — climbing stairs, walking a short distance, or even talking — can also indicate anaemia related to MDS. With fewer red blood cells, less oxygen reaches the body’s tissues, causing breathlessness even with mild activity.
People may also experience:
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Heart palpitations or racing heartbeat
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Chest discomfort
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Feeling faint or dizzy when standing
If breathlessness seems out of proportion to your activity level or age, speak to your GP and ask for a Full Blood Count. This quick test can identify low haemoglobin levels and show whether further investigations are needed
If you spot the symptoms, ask your GP for a Full Blood Count.
A Full Blood Count (FBC) is a simple blood test your GP can arrange to check for signs of MDS. It’s a routine test that measures red and white blood cells and platelets, and can quickly show whether further investigation into MDS is needed.
Why raising awareness matters
MDS is still widely under-recognised, often misdiagnosed or mistaken for other conditions such as anaemia or ageing. By raising awareness, we can:
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Enable earlier detection and diagnosis by helping people recognise the signs and symptoms.
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Improve access to specialist care and treatment, ensuring patients are referred to the right experts sooner.
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Foster understanding and compassion among the public, helping those affected feel seen, supported, and less alone.
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Encourage vital research and policy change by highlighting the real experiences and unmet needs of UK patients.
Every conversation, share, or donation helps bring us closer to better care and improved outcomes for everyone living with MDS.
About MDS UK Patient Support Group
We are the only UK-based charity dedicated solely to informing, supporting, and empowering people affected by MDS.
We:
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Provide online support meetings, a telephone helpline, and clear information for patients and families.
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Campaign for better access to treatments and improved quality of life for everyone living with MDS.
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Work alongside clinicians and researchers to promote awareness and understanding of these rare blood cancers.
As a small charity, we rely on the kindness of supporters like you. Every donation helps us keep running costs low and ensures your support goes directly to patients, research, and advocacy.
