Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Encyclopedia
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), founded in 1949, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer
research, education and patient services. LLS's mission is to cure leukemia
, lymphoma
, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS created the Information Resource Center (IRC) to provide blood cancer patients, their families and health professionals accurate, current disease information and support. IRC information specialists are social workers, nurses and health educators.
LLS has 64 chapters nationwide, as well as 4 chapters in Canada
. See Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
. Nationwide volunteer fundraising events and activities include Team in Training
(an endurance sports training program where volunteers train to complete an endurance sports event while fundraising to support the fight against blood cancers), Light The Night Walk
(a community-based walk that celebrates patients battling cancer, their families and supporters),
and School & Youth (K-12 student service and cooperative team program to raise awareness and funds to fight blood cancer). Each chapter also organizes its own fundraising activities.
Financial information, including Form 990s on this organization can be found on Guidestar. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is accredited with The Better Business Bureau, meeting all 20 standards for charitable accountability and is certified by HonCode, Health on the Net Foundation.
in 1949 by Rudolph and Antoinette de Villiers after the death of their son Robert from leukemia. The name of the organization was later changed to the Leukemia Society of America in the 1960s, and later to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in 2000 to reflect the organization's focus on all types of blood cancer.
(TNT), is the world's first and largest charity sports training program, raising nearly $1 billion for blood cancer research and patient support since its inception 20 years ago. Additionally, there are yearly endurance events run to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, including the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon, to be held on June 6, 2010. In previous years, Nike, Inc.
has sponsored a Women's Marathon for similarly charitable purposes.
The largest annual fundraiser is the Light The Night Walk
, a non-competitive walk held at various sites throughout the US and Canada, raising funds for blood cancer research and patient support. Children, adults, and seniors walk carrying illuminated balloons - supporters carry red balloons, survivors and patients carry white balloons, and gold balloons are held in memory of a loved one.
Additionally each year, candidates from communities across the nation engage in a ten-week fundraising competition to earn the titles of LLS Man & Woman of the Year by raising funds for blood cancer research in honor of local children who are blood cancer survivors, the Boy and Girl of the Year. In 2009, the candidates collectively raised $910,000.
Nearly 50 LLS chapters also hold a Leukemia Cup Regatta. Sailors and local businesses raise funds for the society and then participate in a day or two on the water. In addition to the racing, each Regatta holds several social functions which usually include at least one presentation by a world class sailor. Past speakers have included Russell Coutts
, Terry Hutchinson, Anna Tunnicliffe
, and Gary Jobson
. Jobson has been the national Honorary Chairperson for the Regatta since 1994 and was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2003. The first Leukemia Cup Regatta was held in 1988 by a group of sailors seeking to honor their friend who had lost his battle with blood cancer. Since then it has grown to a series of events that raise over $3.2 million annually.
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
research, education and patient services. LLS's mission is to cure leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
, lymphoma
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer in the lymphatic cells of the immune system. Typically, lymphomas present as a solid tumor of lymphoid cells. Treatment might involve chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation, and can be curable depending on the histology, type, and stage...
, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS created the Information Resource Center (IRC) to provide blood cancer patients, their families and health professionals accurate, current disease information and support. IRC information specialists are social workers, nurses and health educators.
LLS has 64 chapters nationwide, as well as 4 chapters in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. See Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and patient services.-Mission:...
. Nationwide volunteer fundraising events and activities include Team in Training
Team in Training
Team in Training, also known by the acronym TNT, is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's endurance sports training program. The program provides training for a half marathon, marathon, triathlon, century bike ride, or a cross-country ski marathon...
(an endurance sports training program where volunteers train to complete an endurance sports event while fundraising to support the fight against blood cancers), Light The Night Walk
Light The Night Walk
Light the Night Walk is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's walk to build awareness of blood cancers as well as raise money for research and support of patients and their families. It is held in over 200 communities in North America each fall as well as in Australia.Walkers carry illuminated balloons...
(a community-based walk that celebrates patients battling cancer, their families and supporters),
and School & Youth (K-12 student service and cooperative team program to raise awareness and funds to fight blood cancer). Each chapter also organizes its own fundraising activities.
Financial information, including Form 990s on this organization can be found on Guidestar. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is accredited with The Better Business Bureau, meeting all 20 standards for charitable accountability and is certified by HonCode, Health on the Net Foundation.
History
Originally known as the Robert Roesler de Villiers Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was founded in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1949 by Rudolph and Antoinette de Villiers after the death of their son Robert from leukemia. The name of the organization was later changed to the Leukemia Society of America in the 1960s, and later to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in 2000 to reflect the organization's focus on all types of blood cancer.
Research
Since its founding, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has provided more than 600 million dollars for research on blood cancers and has coordinated a nationwide informational clearinghouse for medical professionals, caregivers, and patients. For the organization's 60th anniversary, an organizational goal to transform the lives of people with blood cancer and the healthcare landscape that patients, families and caregivers navigate was established.Advocacy
LLS also advocates public policy positions that accelerate progress toward cures for leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of those with blood cancer, their friends and families.Fundraising
The signature fundraising program, Team in TrainingTeam in Training
Team in Training, also known by the acronym TNT, is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's endurance sports training program. The program provides training for a half marathon, marathon, triathlon, century bike ride, or a cross-country ski marathon...
(TNT), is the world's first and largest charity sports training program, raising nearly $1 billion for blood cancer research and patient support since its inception 20 years ago. Additionally, there are yearly endurance events run to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, including the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon & ½ Marathon, to be held on June 6, 2010. In previous years, Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
has sponsored a Women's Marathon for similarly charitable purposes.
The largest annual fundraiser is the Light The Night Walk
Light The Night Walk
Light the Night Walk is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's walk to build awareness of blood cancers as well as raise money for research and support of patients and their families. It is held in over 200 communities in North America each fall as well as in Australia.Walkers carry illuminated balloons...
, a non-competitive walk held at various sites throughout the US and Canada, raising funds for blood cancer research and patient support. Children, adults, and seniors walk carrying illuminated balloons - supporters carry red balloons, survivors and patients carry white balloons, and gold balloons are held in memory of a loved one.
Additionally each year, candidates from communities across the nation engage in a ten-week fundraising competition to earn the titles of LLS Man & Woman of the Year by raising funds for blood cancer research in honor of local children who are blood cancer survivors, the Boy and Girl of the Year. In 2009, the candidates collectively raised $910,000.
Nearly 50 LLS chapters also hold a Leukemia Cup Regatta. Sailors and local businesses raise funds for the society and then participate in a day or two on the water. In addition to the racing, each Regatta holds several social functions which usually include at least one presentation by a world class sailor. Past speakers have included Russell Coutts
Russell Coutts
Sir Russell Coutts, KNZM, CBE is a competitive sailor. His achievements include a Gold medal in the Finn Class in the 1984 Olympic Games, winning the America's Cup four times, the ISAF World Youth championships, three World Match Racing Championships, numerous international match race wins and...
, Terry Hutchinson, Anna Tunnicliffe
Anna Tunnicliffe
Anna Tunnicliffe is a sailor, most notably of the women's olympic single-handed . As a member of the 2008 US Olympic team she won a gold medal in the Women's Laser Radial class. In 2008, she also placed second at the women's world championship of the snipe class held in Roquetas de Mar...
, and Gary Jobson
Gary Jobson
Gary Jobson is a decorated sailor, television commentator, sailing lecturer, and author based in Annapolis, Maryland. He has recorded many achievements in his sailing career, having won multiple championships in one-design classes, the America's Cup with Ted Turner in 1977, the Fastnet Race, and...
. Jobson has been the national Honorary Chairperson for the Regatta since 1994 and was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2003. The first Leukemia Cup Regatta was held in 1988 by a group of sailors seeking to honor their friend who had lost his battle with blood cancer. Since then it has grown to a series of events that raise over $3.2 million annually.
See also
- LeukemiaLeukemia (journal)Leukemia is a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the Nature Publishing Group. The journal was established in 1987 by Nicole Muller-Bérat Killman and Sven-Aage Killman, and is currently edited by Muller-Bérat Killmann. The journal publishes research on all aspects of leukemia...
, the official journal of the Leukemia Society of America