In 2007, when I served as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Chief Scientific Officer, I conceived and launched the LLS venture philanthropy initiative, the Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP). Our goal was to expand beyond traditional research grants and to bring much-needed therapies into clinical studies faster. And I’m pleased to share we’ve made a real impact.
LLS TAP has provided more than $125 million to support more than 60 highly innovative projects by partnering with companies and research institutions. The results are compelling: three LLS TAP-supported therapies have been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA): Celator’s CPX-351 (Vyxeos®), Kite Pharma’s axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta®), and Stemline’s tagraxofusp-erzs (Elzonris®). These breakthrough treatments changed the landscape of cancer care and are now providing hope for patients who previously had limited treatment options.
We invite you to learn about this innovative venture philanthropy program that’s accelerating cures for patients. Join us on December 4 at 12 p.m. ET for a virtual event titled “Value Creation for Companies though LLS TAP: Dollars & Beyond.”
As part of Burlington’s annual in-store fundraising campaign, they’re hosting celebratory drive-by ‘parades’ for children battling cancer
As part of Burlington’s annual in-store fundraising campaign, they’re hosting celebratory drive-by ‘parades’ for children battling cancer
With all the uncertainty in the world today, one thing is for sure — childhood cancer doesn’t stop during a national crisis and patients need support now, more than ever. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Burlington Stores, the national off-price retailer, are putting a special spin on today’s popular “curbside pickup” routines. Burlington associates are surprising childhood cancer patients across the country with unique “patient parades” outside Burlington store locations nationwide.
From now through November 30, Burlington is encouraging customers to donate $1 or more at checkout in its more than 739 stores to help drive forward blood cancer treatments so childhood cancer patients not only survive, but thrive after surviving cancer. Funds raised in all Burlington store locations will not only support LLS’s mission to find cures and help blood cancer patients access the care they need, but also support programs including The LLS Children’s Initiative.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the exciting parades that have already taken place and the heroic survivors who are inspiring the celebration of bravery and survivorship.
Cristopher, Leukemia Survivor
Boston, MA
Eight-year-old leukemia survivor and second-grader Cristopher recently finished treatment. Even after everything he’s endured, he keeps a big smile on his face and brings laughter and joy to everyone who crosses his path. After leaving a doctor’s appointment just a couple of hours prior, Christopher was pleasantly surprised when he saw Burlington associates cheering for him, who then surprised him with a big gift bag full of his favorite toys.
Leonardo, Leukemia Survivor
Miami, FL
Four-year-old Leonardo has endured more obstacles than most people do in their whole lives. While he’s still in treatment for another two years, he was shockingly excited and happy to receive his very own parade as LLS and Burlington associates sang and danced for him to celebrate his survivorship journey and how far he’s come. Then, they packed his car with a plethora of toys and gifts for him to enjoy when he got home.
Burlington associates piling up Leonardo’s car with gifts.
Jackson, Leukemia Survivor
Atlanta, GA
Since 12-year-old Jackson was diagnosed with leukemia a few years ago, he has undergone countless blood transfusions, treatment visits to the hospital and taken daily chemotherapy. He missed out on fun times with friends when he was in the hospital from December 2016 to May 2017. Today, he is a proud survivor, and his mother says he “appreciates everything.”
Victoria, Leukemia Survivor
Houston, TX
Victoria was diagnosed with leukemia as an infant and spent her first Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and birthday in the hospital. She learned to sit up on her own, crawl, and walk all while hooked to an IV pole. After a long fight, today, she’s an amazing big sister and a loving and loyal friend. She makes As and Bs in school, has been a Girl Scout for the past four years and loves all things unicorns.
Victoria has come a long way since surviving infantile leukemia.
Vaughn, Leukemia Survivor
Los Angeles, CA
Five-year-old Vaughn was a healthy baby until he was diagnosed at 11 months old with high-risk infantile leukemia. He was placed on an aggressive experimental infant leukemia protocol, and spent months in the hospital. The side effects of the chemo combined with multiple life-threatening infections nearly took his life a number of times. Over the course of two-and-a-half years, Vaughn experienced almost all of the expected chemotherapy side effects. In addition, he patiently endured endless hours of physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture and infant stimulation therapy. Thankfully, Vaughn finished his last chemo treatment in November 2018, and he remains in remission. According to his mother, Emily, “Vaughn's healing success is truly a miracle.”
All patient parades happening nationwide allow LLS and Burlington associates to recognize and cheer for young cancer survivors and their families in their communities, who need support now, more than ever — all while keeping safe and socially distant.
As we round out our first year of marriage and our first year of battling cancer, I recently asked my husband Brad how he would describe this past year. “Disrupted.” Before cancer, we had plans: big, extravagant, travel-the-world kind of plans. After two years of a long-distance relationship, we were finally going to live in the same city. We were going to get settled in our brand-new home. We were going to make new Florida friends. We were excited about the opportunities we had in our careers. We were going to capitalize on the “newlywed phase” to the fullest extent! Then, we learned that cancer doesn’t care if you’re newly married with plans in place; it can rock your world in an instant.
Five days – that’s how long we had been married when we heard the most unexpected, gut-wrenching words: “it’s cancer.” Just five days before, Brad was in a black tux. I was in the most beautiful wedding gown. We were surrounded by our biggest support system and celebrating the vows we had just made to each other – to love each other for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.
In 2007, when I served as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Chief Scientific Officer, I conceived and launched the LLS venture philanthropy initiative, the Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP). Our goal was to expand beyond traditional research grants and to bring much-needed therapies into clinical studies faster. And I’m pleased to share we’ve made a real impact.
As we round out our first year of marriage and our first year of battling cancer, I recently asked my husband Brad how he would describe this past year. “Disrupted.” Before cancer, we had plans: big, extravagant, travel-the-world kind of plans. After two years of a long-distance relationship, we were finally going to live in the same city. We were going to get settled in our brand-new home. We were going to make new Florida friends. We were excited about the opportunities we had in our careers. We were going to capitalize on the “newlywed phase” to the fullest extent! Then, we learned that cancer doesn’t care if you’re newly married with plans in place; it can rock your world in an instant.