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Cancer treatment can be exhausting and physically depleting. You should be getting an adequate amount of sleep as you undergo treatment, but for many people with blood cancer, sleep doesn't come easily. This can be a result of medication, anxiety, or depression.

Learn more about how blood cancer treatment may affect mental health.

These suggestions may help improve sleep quality:

  • Relax before bedtime by taking a warm bath or shower, meditating, or listening to calming music
  • Go to bed at the same time every night
  • Use the bedroom for sleep only and keep the room cool, quiet, and dark
  • Use comfortable bedding and sleepwear
  • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and stimulation before bedtime
  • Forgo long daytime naps that can interfere with nighttime sleep
  • Consider complementary or alternative therapy to help you sleep, such as guided imagery, deep breathing, and muscle relaxation exercises
  • If your sleep disturbances persist, talk with your doctor 

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A young child stands indoors on a hardwood floor wearing a lavender dress, colorful socks, and a pink head wrap. The portrait highlights a moment of confidence and individuality during a blood cancer experience, capturing the resilience of children and families navigating treatment, recovery, and survivorship. This image reflects hope, strength, and everyday life affected by pediatric blood cancer.

Kelly

Family member and caregiver

Two people wearing bright yellow banana costumes pose outdoors near an active volcanic eruption, with lava and a large plume of smoke rising in the background. The playful travel photo captures a memorable moment of adventure, humor, and connection. The image accompanies a blood cancer survivor story, reflecting resilience, celebrating life after a blood cancer diagnosis, and finding joy in meaningful experiences.

Thomas

acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Portrait of a blood cancer advocate standing in front of a red Leukemia & Lymphoma Society event backdrop, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, glasses, and a patterned top. The image highlights community engagement, blood cancer awareness, and support for patients, survivors, and families affected by leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers. Featured as part of a blood cancer survivor story, the photo reflects advocacy, resilience, and the impact of collective action in the blood cancer community.

Angie

Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL)

Portrait of a blood cancer advocate standing in front of a green floral background featuring a white dove graphic. The individual wears glasses and a sleeveless top while posing for the camera. Featured as part of a blood cancer survivor story, the image highlights awareness, remembrance, resilience, and community support for people affected by leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers. The photo reflects hope and the lasting impact of blood cancer advocacy and patient storytelling.

Joan

Family member and supporter

Close-up outdoor portrait of a person wearing a dark T-shirt, seated in a sunny setting with trees and a roadway visible in the background. The natural-light image accompanies a blood cancer survivor story, highlighting strength, perseverance, and life beyond a blood cancer diagnosis. This authentic portrait reflects the experiences of people affected by blood cancer and the importance of awareness, support, and community connection.

Lawrence

acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

A football player kneels on a turf field holding a helmet during an outdoor game at sunset. The image represents resilience, determination, and hope, highlighting the journey of individuals affected by blood cancer and the strength needed to overcome challenges both on and off the field.

Myles

acute lymphoblastic T-cell leukemia (ALL)

Person wearing a light pink blazer and event credential stands in front of a step-and-repeat backdrop featuring The Remission Film Festival logo, with an IV pole displayed beside them. The image highlights advocacy, storytelling, and awareness within the blood cancer community, showcasing a film festival event focused on sharing blood cancer survivor and patient experiences through film and media.

Edward

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Close-up outdoor portrait of an adult holding a young child wrapped in a colorful towel, photographed near trees on a sunny day. The image highlights family support, caregiving, and togetherness, themes often shared by families affected by blood cancer. This photo supports blood cancer awareness storytelling and reflects the important role of loved ones and caregivers within the blood cancer community.

Savannah

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)

Portrait of a person with long dark hair seated indoors, looking toward the camera in a home setting with framed artwork and flowers visible in the background. Image used to accompany a blood cancer patient, survivor, caregiver, or advocacy story focused on the blood cancer community, awareness, support, and personal experiences.

Lauren

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Emily smiling in a photo with her husband and her three young children in an urban setting

Emily

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

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Kassandra

ALL Survivor

A young hispanic mom in a gray tshirt with her bald son wearing bright green boxing gloves and an I Am a Warrior tshirt

Peyton

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is now Blood Cancer United. Learn more.