Only 57 at the time, Bruno Kirby died in 2006 due to complications related to leukaemia. His wife, Lynn Sellers, put out a statement that read: “We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from Bruno’s fans and colleagues who have admired and respected his work over the past 30 years. Bruno’s spirit will continue to live on not only in his rich body of film and television work but also through the lives of individuals he has touched throughout his life.”
Leukaemia
“Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer that affects blood cells in your bone marrow,” Blood Cancer UK states.
The bone marrow is a “spongy tissue” found inside some of the bones, where the body makes blood cells.
“In leukaemia, blood cells are not produced the way they should be and you may have too many, too few, or blood cells that don’t work properly,” the charity explains.
Depending on the type of leukaemia a person has, the symptoms can differ.
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Some of the more “common” signs of the blood cancer includes:
- Tiredness that lasts a long time and doesn’t improve with rest (fatigue)
- Bruising and bleeding more easily
- Repeated infections and high temperatures (fever)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swollen lymph nodes (glands in your neck, armpit and groin).
Different types of leukaemia
- Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
- Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
- Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
- Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL)
- Childhood leukaemia
In addition to symptoms being specific to the type of blood cancer a person has, so too is treatment.
While the condition can’t be cured, it can be managed with medication; albeit, side effects are to be expected.
Blood Cancer UK adds that “new drugs have been developed in recent years which tend to have fewer side effects”.
Anybody experiencing blood cancer is encouraged to contact Blood Cancer UK on 0808 2080 888 to speak in confidence to a blood cancer support team member.
Bruno Kirby starred in City Slickers, which is showcasing on Tuesday, November 22 at 6.45pm on Film4.
