The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Celebrates Blood Cancer Awareness Month

Sept. 16, 2010 - PRLog -- (DALLAS) Sept. 15, 2010 – The North Texas and Oklahoma chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is celebrating Blood Cancer Awareness Month by letting the public know there are local resources available for blood cancer patients and their families.  

LLS offers many different programs to help patients and their families, from first connection to support groups, from financial help to educational programs.  

From July 2009 through June 2010, LLS distributed more than $180,000 in patient aid to local residents living with blood cancers.  This allowed the organization to reach more than 1,200 patients through financial assistance or support through educational programs and support groups.

“As the leading provider of comprehensive services for patients and families touched by blood cancers, we expect the number of people we are able to touch each year to grow through our continued education, outreach and fundraising efforts,” said Tina Garcia, executive director, North Texas and Oklahoma chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The majority of financial contributions received by LLS come through well-establish  and new fundraising events, including Team In Training, Light the Night, Leukemia Cup Regatta, Saint Valentine's Day Luncheon & Fashion Show, Big D Climb and Winter Pineapple Classic.  

Blood cancers such as leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes are cancers that originate in the bone marrow or lymphatic tissues. They are considered to be related cancers because they involve the uncontrolled growth of cells with similar functions and origins.

An estimated 912,938 people in the United States are living with, or are in remission from, leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma.  Every four minutes, someone new is diagnosed with blood cancer.  Every ten minutes someone dies from blood cancer and more than 53,000 people will die from a blood cancer this year.

Since LLS first began in 1949, the organization has invested more than $680 million in research to find cures and better therapies, and the good news is this has made a huge impact.  Gleevec is a great example of a “miracle” drug that LLS helped fund and which is now the drug of choice in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

About The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The North Texas & Oklahoma Chapter is one of 63 Society chapters nationwide, and serves 197 counties within Northern Texas and Oklahoma.  The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The North Texas & Oklahoma Chapter is one of 63 Society chapters nationwide, and serves 197 counties within Northern Texas and Oklahoma. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.