LLS CalSo Blood Cancer Awareness Month

Los Angeles, CA – Contributing to nearly every advance in blood cancer research and treatment in decades, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has invested more than $1.3 billion in cancer research, $16 million in California institutions, with groundbreaking results in immunotherapy, genomics and personalized medicine that are improving and saving lives of patients. These revolutionary new treatments are powering LLS’s efforts to attack cancer from every angle.

 

Blood Cancer Awareness Month – every September – provides the opportunity for LLS, the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to fighting blood cancer, to educate and engage the public about the blood cancers – leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma - which are the third leading cause of cancer deaths among Americans.  LLS is at the forefront of the fight to cure cancer, dedicated to finding cures for the nearly 1.3 million people in the U.S. who are living with, or are in remission from, leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma and other blood cancers.

 

“Cancer is not a one-size-fits-all disease. We prioritize research based on unmet medical needs, and are ushering in a new era of cancer therapy that centers on giving the right treatment to the right patient at the right time,” said Louis J. DeGennaro, Ph.D., LLS president and CEO. “Further, we are seeing our vision for and approaches to treating the blood cancers now helping patients with other cancers, which is why we are proud to say that beating cancer is in our blood.”

 

An estimated 1,399,180 people in the US are either living with, or are in remission from, leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. New cases of blood cancer (leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma) are expected to account for 10 percent of the estimated 1,762,450 new cancer cases diagnosed in the US in 2019. An estimated combined total of 176,200 people in the US are expected to be diagnosed with a blood cancer in 2019.

 

Every nine minutes, someone in the US dies from a blood cancer. This statistic represents approximately 156 people each day or more than six people every hour. Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are expected to cause the deaths of an estimated 56,770 people in the US in 2019.

 

“Our long-term investment in research has resulted in significant breakthroughs leading to higher survival rates and lives saved, but at LLS, we do so much more,” DeGennaro shared. “To advance our mission we focus on cures and ensuring that patients have access to lifesaving therapies. We provide free information, education and support services for those who have been impacted by blood cancer. We fight for lifesaving policy changes at the state and federal level to ensure access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. We are committed to working tirelessly toward our mission every single day, until we find a cure.”

 

#KissBloodCancerGoodbye Campaign

 

This year, throughout the month of September, we at LLS are challenging social media users across the globe to join with us to raise awareness and funds for life-saving research towards a world without blood cancers.

 

The challenge? Post a creative video or photo showing how you kiss blood cancer goodbye, tag 3 friends to take on the challenge or donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Use #KissBloodCancerGoodbye for a chance to be featured on our social media channels.

 

We hope that through this challenge, people can share their stories and their support of finding a cure to kiss blood cancer goodbye.

 

Turn It Red

 

In order to remind the public about the urgent need to support research to find cures, LLS is inviting several landmarks to light it up red.

 

On September 1st, the US Bank Tower in Downtown Los Angeles and the Los Angeles International Airport will light up red to kickoff Blood Cancer Awareness Month.

 

Help us raise awareness of blood cancer this month. Everyone can make an impact. Learn more about our mission, volunteer and get involved with one of our fundraising campaigns or donate to LLS directly. Join the fight this September, visit www.LLS.org to learn more. Beating cancer is in our blood.

 

 

 

Cancer is a tough opponent, but at LLS, we are tougher.

 

Though LLS is known for funding groundbreaking research to find better treatments and cures, the organization does so much more. LLS provides free information, education and support services for those who have been impacted by blood cancer, and fights for lifesaving policy changes at the state and federal level to ensure patients have access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

 

Locally, throughout the last year, the California Southland Chapter granted $1.17 million to a Co-pay Assistance Program which offers financial support toward the cost of insurance and/or insurance premium costs for prescription drugs, as well as the Susan Lang Pay-It-Forward Patient Travel Assistance Program, which provides transportation and lodging related expenses.

 

While significant progress has been made, there is more work to be done. More than one-third of blood cancer patients still do not survive five years after their diagnosis. By funding the most innovative research, breakthroughs for patients who urgently need them can be achieved faster.

 

“We invite everyone who wants to cure cancer to get involved here at LLS,” said Shannon Sullivan, Executive Director of the California Southland Chapter. “Our community continues to grow and we want you to be a part of our mission, visit www.lls.org to learn more.”

 

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to fighting blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

 

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. For additional information visit lls.org/lls-newsnetwork. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

The California Southland Chapter, headquartered in Los Angeles, empowers community members to help beat cancer through Light The Night, Man & Woman of the Year, Students of the Year, Team in Training, and Pennies for Patients. We also offer patient and health care professional education opportunities, local support groups and a variety of volunteer opportunities. To learn more, please visit www.lls.org/california-southland or call 310-342-5800.