The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education, and patient services. LLS currently has 59 chapters across the United States and Canada which together fund over $71.4 million annually on research & patient services. Since the first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $750 million in research grants. In 2011, LLS celebrated its 62nd Anniversary. LLS is committed to attracting and funding outstanding investigators and research centers. We support hundreds of researchers doing basic and translational research into cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

The good news is . .

  • The commitment to cutting-edge science has contributed to an unprecedented rise in survival rates for some blood cancers. The relative five-year survival rate for people with leukemia, for example, has nearly quadrupled the past 40 years.
  • Over the past three decades, the leukemia death rate for children from 0 to 14 years of age in the United States has declined about 70%.
  • Hodgkins lymphoma is now considered one of the most curable forms of cancer, thanks to radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of the two.
  • LLS also provides financial assistance to patients; sponsors scientific conferences around the country; produces educational materials and videos; and runs dozens of Family Support Groups nationwide.

 

But we still have bad news . . .

  • An estimated 137,260 people in the United States will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma in 2010.
  • Every four minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer.
  • Every ten minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer. This statistic represents 148 people each day, or more than six people every hour.
  • Leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma are the major forms of blood-related cancers, with leukemia being a leading cancer killer of children and young adults under 20 in America.
  • It is estimated that in 2010, 43,050 people will be diagnosed with leukemia throughout the United States.
  • In 2010, 21,840 people will die of leukemia.
  • About 74,030 Americans will be diagnosed with lymphoma in 2010.
  • An estimated 21,530 Americans will die from lymphoma in 2010.
  • Approximately 20,180 new diagnoses of myeloma are anticipated in 2010.