The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Launches SWFL Advisory Council to Promote Blood Cancer Awareness

NAPLES, Fla. - April 30, 2014 - PRLog -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Launches the Southwest Florida Advisory Council to Promote Blood Cancer Awareness in the Community


Media Contact:
Steven F. Belcher
(239) 939-6069 (direct)
sbelcher@ft.NewYorkLife.com

Naples, FL – May 1, 2014 – More than one million Americans are living with a blood cancer and every four minutes one person in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Lee and Collier counties are home to many of the newly diagnosed blood cancer patients who seek access to treatments and information about the latest blood cancer research.

This month, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Southern Florida & Puerto Rico Chapter announces the creation of the LLS Southwest Florida Advisory Council. The goal and mission of the Advisory Council is to inform the public, educate business and community leaders, and create awareness in Southwest Florida about fundraising events, educational & advocacy programs the organization offers blood cancer patients in the community.

"As the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding blood cancer cures and advocating for patients and families, LLS is in a unique position to make a positive impact in cancer research overall, specifically blood cancers," states Steven F. Belcher, Chairman of the Southwest Florida Advisory Council. "The Southern Florida & Puerto Rico Chapter of LLS and our many volunteers and patient advocates are on the front lines everyday in our fight to the finish line of blood cancer cures."

The LLS Southwest Florida Advisory Council is comprised of long time business and community leaders who are actively involved in the future of Southwest Florida including:

·       Steven F Belcher, Principal and Financial Advisor, Belcher & Company, Fort Myers, FL

·       Jennifer Alvarez, Branch Manager, Amtrust Bank, a division of New York Community Bank, Coconut Point Mall, Estero, FL

·       Beth Oliver, Director of Marketing, Ltd, Inc., Offshore Sailing School, Ltd., Inc., Fort Myers, FL

·       Pete E Cento, Founder & President, The Cento Group & Atlantis Photography, Naples, FL

·       Dawn Parker, Vice-President, Marker 5 Financial Services, Fort Myers, FL

·       Angie Marsh, Vice-President, Marker 5 Financial Services, Fort Myers, FL

·       Barbara Daley, Community Activist, North Fort Myers, FL

Serving as staff liaisons between the Chapter and the Southwest Florida Advisory Council are Emily Marquez-Dulin, Executive Director, and Seth Berkowitz, Senior Manager of Patient Access. The Southern Florida & Puerto Rico Chapter has been providing patient support and informational programs in the region for more than 30 years and provides local events to support our research, advocacy and information programs.

If you, your company or organization in Southwest Florida would like to support the work of LLS, please contact Emily Marquez at emily.marquez@lls.org or 954-744-5227.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds live saving 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 White Plains, 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 6 p.m. ET.