About the Society

Who We Are
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Founded in 1949, we are relentless in pursuit of our mission: cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families

What We Do
Investing in blood cancer research
The Society has invested more than $360 million in research, $45 million in 2004 alone. Programs like the Specialized Center of Research (SCOR), which brings together teams of scientists from different disciplines and our Translational Research Program, which funds research with a high probability of producing innovative patient treatments in an accelerated time frame, have directly contributed to many breakthrough cancer treatments.

Research funded by the Society has led or contributed to advances such as chemotherapy, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation and new, targeted oral therapies such as Gleevec®.

Providing critical information and support for patients and their families
We made more than 812,000 contacts with patients and families in 2004(double checking number with Patient Services), through our Information Resource Center (IRC), our award winning Web site and community-based patient service programs. We put people together with experts through Web- casts and teleconferences, and provided professional education through seminars, to extend the latest findings to a broader professional audience.

Advocating for issues impacting blood cancer patients
With more than 15,000 advocacy volunteers throughout the country, our voice is being heard by those responsible for legislation to fund blood cancer research and educational programs.

Why We Do It
More than 712,000 Americans have leukemia, Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma. Every five minutes, someone new is diagnosed with blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone dies.

Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age 20. Lymphomas are the most common blood cancers and incidence increases with age. The 5 year survival rate for myeloma is only 32.1 percent. Incidence is twice as high among African Americans as for all other races.

How We Do It
As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations. Approximately 75% of the Society’s total expenses supports blood cancer research and patient services. Major, annual fundraising campaigns include Team In Training, Light The Night, School & Youth Programs, Man & Woman of the Year and the Volvo Leukemia Cup Regattas.

For disease and other Society related information, please visit us at www.LLS.org.