Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection® Program

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with a blood cancer, you may find it helpful to speak with someone who has gone through a similar experience and learned how to manage the same disease you're trying to cope with each day. The Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection® Program is a free service of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) that introduces patients and their loved ones to a trained peer volunteer who has gone through a similar experience.

First Connection® peer volunteers are in a unique position to provide support and community resource information to others facing a similar cancer diagnosis. Patients and their family members are matched with peer volunteers based on diagnosis, age, gender and other factors that might create a mutual understanding and ease of communication. Peer volunteers are trained in basic counseling skills, are regularly updated about LLS and community resources, and are committed to confidentiality.

The program gives patients and family members the opportunity to share experiences with someone who has "been through it," and obtain valuable information about LLS and the other resources available to support them.  

Support for the Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection® video was 
provided by Amgen and Seattle Genetics. 

To Speak with a Peer Volunteer

If you wish to speak to a First Connection® peer volunteer, please fill out the online request form. Someone from LLS will contact you by phone. Requests can only be accommodated for individuals who live in the US or Canada.

Complete the Online Request Form

To Become a Volunteer

If you are interested in learning about volunteer opportunities at LLS, including peer volunteer opportunities, please fill out the interest form below and someone will contact you.

Complete the Volunteer Interest Form

"I believe hope is the best thing I can give the people I am connected with through First Connection®. I am able to share my experience, answer questions and help newly diagnosed patients to understand what they're feeling is normal." -Linda Lawhorn, Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection® Program Volunteer