1960's - James Baldwin. A civil rights activist involved in the civil rights movement. In 1963, He was good friends with Harry Belafonte and other civil rights figures. Baldwin met with public figures to discuss the moral implications of the civil rights movement.
1 Certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, are associated with an increased risk of leukemia. 2  Exposure to certain chemicals. 3  Exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene â which is found in gasoline and is used by the chemical industry â also is linked to an increased risk of some kinds of leukemia. 4  Smoking. Previous cancer treatment. 2  People who've had certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for other cancers have an increased risk of developing certain types of leukemia. 3  Genetic disorders. 4  Genetic abnormalities seem to play a role in the development of leukemia.
Causes. Acute myelogenous leukemia is caused by damage to the DNA of developing cells in your bone marrow. When this happens, blood cell production goes wrong. The bone marrow produces immature cells that develop into leukemic white blood cells called myeloblasts. These abnormal cells are unable to function properly, and they can build up and crowd out healthy cells. In most cases, it's not clear what causes the DNA mutations that lead to leukemia.