Collaboration Efforts Designed to Advance Health Education and Address Racial Disparities in Blood Cancers Affecting Black Communities
WASHINGTON, APRIL 14, 2025 – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is excited to announce its collaboration with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. to advance health education and address racial disparities in blood cancers and related cancer topics that disproportionately impact Black communities. The organizations will work together, focusing their efforts in multiple cities to develop community programming designed to increase awareness of blood cancers, clinical trial access, effective patient-provider communication, nutrition during and after a cancer diagnosis, caregiver support, and other critical issues faced by blood cancer patients.
Together, LLS, a global leader and innovator in creating a world without blood cancer, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., a historically African American Greek-letter organization that welcomes members of all colors, creeds, and origins, will help educate and empower communities about blood cancer, treatment, access to care and more.
The collaboration will focus on education and resources for all types of blood cancer. There will be an emphasis on myeloma as this type of blood cancer affects Black Americans at more than twice the rate of White Americans, with Black males experiencing the highest age-adjusted incidence rate compared to all other racial and ethnic groups. Black patients represent 21% of new myeloma cases annually, underscoring the critical need for targeted support and resources.
“Black individuals often face often face unique challenges and barriers to care including younger age at diagnosis, higher hospitalization costs, significant delays from diagnosis to treatment, and limited access to specialized healthcare and resources,” said Bryon Daily, LLS’s national Senior Manager – Community Outreach, Myeloma Link. “By teaming up with Kappa Alpha Psi, we can educate and empower members about their health and care options.”
LLS and Kappa Alpha Psi will kick off a series of joint efforts with a virtual “after-hours" Lunch & Learn event with the fraternity’s members. This event will feature information about myeloma, including symptoms, treatment options, and available resources. Future collaboration initiatives will include health fairs, community engagement events, including education programs, virtual learning opportunities, and more.
"The collaboration with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society not only educates the membership of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated on the risk factors associated with Multiple Myeloma but stretches to the communities we serve,” said Antonio J. Martez, Kappa Alpha Psi’s Health Committee National Chairman. “We are excited about this life-saving partnership."
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the global leader and innovator in creating a world without blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of all patients and their families. LLS is focused on accelerating research, providing free support and services, and advocating for policies to ensure access to quality, affordable care. For more than 75 years, LLS has been helping blood cancer patients live longer, better lives.
To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients can contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.
About Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity, Incorporated (ΚΑΨ®) is a historically African American Greek-letter organization. Since the fraternity's founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, the fraternity has never restricted membership on the basis of color, creed or national origin.
The fraternity has over hundreds of thousands-initiated members with 654 active undergraduate and alumni chapters across the United States, and international chapters in Abu Dhabi UAE, Canada, Germany, South Korea, Japan, US Virgin Islands, Nigeria, South Africa, the Grand Bahamas, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and Bermuda.
The International Headquarters is in Philadelphia, PA. Additional information about Kappa Alpha is available online via www.KappaAlphaPsi1911.com.
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