Nonprofit Spotlight: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

BY REGINA DONATO

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Approximately every three minutes, one person in the United States is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. Blood cancers account for nearly 10% of new cancer diagnoses every year. Because of the prevalence of these types of cancers, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) exists to encourage and fund research, educate and support patients and family members, and advocate for policy changes to accelerate cancer treatments and research. The organization’s 27 regions stand firm by the following pillars of their mission as they work to finally find a cure.

FUELING RESEARCH

“The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the largest nonprofit funder of research for every type of blood cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other rare types of blood cancers,” explains Lauren Iannucci, executive director of the Eastern Pennsylvania – Delaware region of LLS. LLS has helped advance 70% of the blood cancer treatment options approved by the FDA since 2017.

Their research pillar has several always-moving subsections, including research focusing on care and service to veterans, expanding research for lesser-known or studied forms of blood cancer, and children’s cancer through their Dare to Dream Project.

The Dare to Dream Project is a big focus of the organization currently. “We recognize that kids are different, and their blood cancers need to be treated differently, so we are daring to change the paradigm of treatment and care of pediatric blood cancers,” says Iannucci. “This project is powering innovative research, new and safer treatments, support services, and advocacy… for kids.”

PROVIDING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT

At the core of LLS’s mission lies their unwavering dedication to supporting patients and their families and friends throughout their journey. From the moment of diagnosis, LLS offers a wide range of personalized services and resources, ensuring that no one faces blood cancer alone. Ranging from classes and support groups held at local partner’s facilities or virtually, to peer-to-peer support and guidance, LLS provides services for anyone who is affected.

A free service that introduces patients and their loved ones to a trained peer volunteer who has gone through a similar experience in the past, The First Connection program matches people based on diagnosis, age, gender, and other factors that might create a stronger bond. “The program gives people the ability to share their thoughts with someone who has ‘been through it,’ and get valuable information about the other resources available to them,” says Iannucci.

ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE

A big part of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission is ensuring policy changes being made will help alleviate some of the burdens of cancer treatment. Advocates on behalf of LLS’s 27 regions work to ensure that treatments are affordable to all, public health is always improving, research is accelerated, and that patients and survivors are advocated for at both state and nationwide levels. Through initiatives like the Light the Night Walk and their advocacy network, LLS raises awareness and mobilizes communities to support legislation that benefits patients and their families.

Going through a cancer journey is a difficult one, to say the least. It’s important for those going through it to have a hard-fast support system. “We are present in every city and market across the country,” remarks Iannucci. “That’s what truly sets us apart from other organizations. It’s so important to us that people know that we are always there as a resource to help them fight when they need it most.”

To learn more about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s lifesaving mission, to make a donation, or to look at their list of upcoming events, visit www.lls.org/epa-de.