Patient Support Programs ● Illinois
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Illinois Region offers a wide range of free educational and support programs for patients, their families, caregivers and healthcare professionals.
Get Support!
Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program
Those recently diagnosed with a blood cancer often find it helpful to speak with someone who has been through treatment and learned how to manage the same disease. The First Connection peer-to-peer program connects newly diagnosed patients and their families with trained volunteers who have experienced blood cancer firsthand and understand the process. Trained volunteer survivors offer caring support and information as they share their special perspective on the recovery process. Contact us at (312) 651-7353 for more information.
LLS Community
Join a community of people who understand what you’re going through.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Community is an online community of people living with or supporting someone with blood cancer. LLS Community is a place for you to get connected and share your voice to drive change.
How can LLS Community help?
GET SUPPORT - Connect with others who have been through it. LLS Community is a place to talk with other people affected by blood cancers.
GET INFORMED - Get access to valuable information, education, and resources available to support you. The information on LLS community is accurate, up-to-date, and from a trusted source.
MAKE AN IMPACT - Too often, traditional research has excluded your voice, the voice that matters most. LLS Community relies on your experiences and insights to drive program development and research studies that address the needs and real-world challenges of patients living with blood cancer.
LLS Community is about participation. Our job is to translate the community’s voice into powerful, real-world research. By being a part of LLS Community, you contribute to:
- a vibrant sharing of information
- the discovery of trends and insights about blood cancer and the cancer experience
- research that will help improve care and help find cures
LLS Community was created in memory of Michael Garil, generously supported by his parents, Bernard, National Board member, and his wife, Ethel.
Please visit https://www.lls.org/welcome-lls-community to learn more or join.
Family Support Groups
Open communication is critical for coping with the feelings that arise during illness. Family Support Groups feature sessions led by local healthcare professionals where you can share your concerns, fears, problems and experiences in a comfortable and caring setting.
For more information about those or any of the following programs, contact us at (312) 651-7353.
CLL-Specific Patient Support Groups
Please click here for support groups sponsored by the CLL Society.
Online Chats
We know what you are going through. Let's chat with each other.
Our live, weekly online chats provide a friendly forum to share experiences and chat with others about anything from the initial phase of diagnosis to treatment and survivorship. Each chat is moderated by an oncology social worker. For the disease-specific chats, dates and times, please see Online Chats.
Honored Hero Program
Our honored heroes provide inspiration and support for the LLS fundraising programs and are symbols of strength for others dealing with challenges in their lives. An honored hero is anyone who is being treated for, or is a survivor of, leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. You can participate on several levels, including sharing your story, creating artwork, writing letters or attending fundraising events. For more information, call us at (312) 651-7353.
Financial Support
All Patient Financial Assistance Programs
Health care providers and patients may register in the LLS Co-Pay Assistance program online portal and begin the application process. For more information, visit www.lls.org/copay or call 877-557-2672 to speak with an LLS Co-Pay Specialist. For more information, see Co-Pay Assistance.
Information and Referral
Information Specialist
Speak one-on-one with an Information Specialist who can assist you through cancer treatment, financial and social challenges and give accurate, up-to-date disease, treatment and support information. Our Information Specialists are master's level oncology social workers, nurses and health educators. Please call 1-800-955-4572 or email infocenter@lls.org.
Healthcare Professionals—Patient Referral
If you are a provider and would like to refer a patient for any of the services listed, please complete the Patient Referral Form (available in English and Spanish).