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Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
updated: Dec 24, 2011, 9:00 AM
By Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary (nonprofit) health organization
dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Since 1949,
LLS has been dedicated to our mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's and myeloma, and
improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
LLS has become the leading nationwide organization in the fight against blood cancer patients. Through
innovative efforts, LLS has helped to significantly increase survival rates of blood cancers. We remain
committed to stay on the forefront in research, patient services, advocacy and fundraising.
To date, LLS has invested more than $750 million dollars nationally in research supporting 347
researchers in the United States, Canada and 9 other countries. Approximately $72 million was invested
last year alone. This includes funding for 103 new grants to researchers in academic institutions and $8
million in contracts through the LLS Therapy Acceleration Program
Last year 4.7 million contacts were made with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals and with
more than 50,000 advocacy volunteers throughout the country, our voice is being heard by those
responsible for legislation to fund blood cancer research and educational programs. Of 39 new cancer
drugs approved by the F.D.A since 2000, 19 were approved as treatments for blood cancer patients, and
many of these were advanced with LLS support. Of these 19, 14 of these drugs are being tested for
other cancers and non-malignant diseases.
All of this is made possible by fundraising programs and the generosity of individual donors on a
grassroots level who get involved with their local branches of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to raise
awareness and funds.
In Santa Barbara, our local office is busy and bustling with activity. Our most active fundraising program
is Team In Training. Participants in this program walk or run and raise money (www.sbtnt.com). This
program has been in Santa Barbara for around 10 years and has raised well over 2 million dollars in that
time. We are just gearing up for the new season in January with our information meetings in session for
the rest of the month.
Locally, our patient services expands the tri county. One hundred and thirty one patients and their
families in this area received financial aid last year. Many patients received our educational materials on
their specific disease upon being diagnosed, and many attended support or education programs that we
sponsored.
We have ongoing Local Partnerships and Collaborations in Santa Barbara and throughout the Tri County
Area that help us to carry out our patient services mission locally. A few examples: In partnership with
the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and Cottage Hospital, we co-sponsor a monthly pediatric support
group here in Santa Barbara. With the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara, we collaborate by co-sponsoring
both Spanish and English speaking patient education programs.
Please visit us online to learn more about our upcoming Blood Cancer Highlights Conference on January
21st which is free to the public and full of good information for patients and caregivers but you must register!
There is a lot of opportunity for volunteers to get involved with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in
Santa Barbara. For more information the best thing to do is to contact our local office at 805.884.1886.
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