Here at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), we remain laser-focused on continuing to drive forward our mission. In fact, we are amplifying our efforts to help patients and caregivers access the care they need, during the coronavirus crisis and beyond. Thankfully, we have a vibrant community of dedicated volunteers across the country who are just as relentless as we are about making a difference in the lives of blood cancer patients and their families.
During this challenging time, we are thinking of you all: our volunteers and supporters and the patients and families we serve. And while we miss the inspiration you bring to LLS daily in our chapters and our communities, we want to take a moment to share our appreciation for all you do now and throughout the year.
Whether raising your voices or lending a hand virtually, LLS volunteers like you are incredible partners and champions of our mission. And that’s why we are so grateful to you. It is your dedication that helps fuel our lifesaving work for patients and families. On behalf of all of us at LLS, thank you for giving generously your time, talent and passion. Because of you, we are helping to cure cancer.
In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 19 – 25), LLS is kicking off our Because of You…movement across our channels to express our heartfelt gratitude to our extraordinary volunteers across the country, while sharing the impact you make possible.
Because of committed volunteers at every level of our organization, LLS is able to carry out our mission in communities across the country. Day in and day out, our volunteers join us at the forefront of the fight to end cancer – whether supporting our chapters, connecting with patients and families, raising critical funds or advocating for policy changes. No matter how you choose to get involved, your efforts are contributing to incredible progress.
How do we know we’re moving the needle together?
- Survival rates for many blood cancer patients have doubled, tripled or even quadrupled since the 1960s. And that’s because of treatment breakthroughs that were made possible by the funds you helped raise and the hours you dedicated.
- LLS is the leading source of free blood cancer information, education and support for patients, families, caregivers, survivors and healthcare professionals. And this vital support makes all the difference. We continue to provide our wide array of free education and support services to help blood cancer patients and their families, during the pandemic and beyond. And, we launched the LLS COVID-19 Patient Financial Aid Program with our partners on April 1. This is just one part of our efforts, which are playing a critical role in providing real time support for patients and families. The program has helped more than 9,240 patients who are experiencing financial hardship related to the pandemic (as of April 19).
- More than 50,000 active online volunteers join LLS in advocating for policies to protect cancer patients and break down barriers to care. We continue to work diligently to protect public health and the interests of cancer patients during this time, including advocating for policies to remove Medicaid barriers that prevent people from getting the care they need and to protect patients from surprise medical bills that might come from treatment and testing for COVID-19, among other measures. So far, LLS volunteer advocates have sent more than 6,800 letters to Congress urging lawmakers to take action around policies like these.
Because of you, we are saving and improving the lives of blood cancer patients and their families. And because of you, we continue to press on with unwavering dedication. You inspire and shape our work each and every day, and your efforts are appreciated by all of us at LLS.
Thank you for working with us toward our shared goal: a world without blood cancer. I hope you all stay safe and well, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
We created a new video to say one big thank you from LLS. We hope this message inspires and uplifts you!
To learn more about local volunteerism, please visit www.volunteerlls.org.