The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Subaru of America Inc., two organizations committed to impacting positively the communities where they live and work, have partnered for the fifth consecutive year to send hope, love and warmth to patients fighting cancer through the “Subaru Loves to Care Program.” Since 2016, this powerful partnership joins more than 540 Subaru retailers nationwide every June to donate and deliver more than 148,000 blankets and 21,500 arts & crafts kits, to nearly 150,000 patients in more than 780 hospitals across the country.
The impact of COVID-19 has created more hardships for cancer patients, and Subaru and LLS are rising to the occasion. In April, Subaru graciously donated $750,000 to help launch LLS’s COVID-19 Patient Financial Aid Program, an emergency fund LLS established, along with other LLS partners, to provide blood cancer patients with a $250 stipend to assist with non-medical expenses, such as housing, utilities and food. The program has provided nearly $4.7 million in assistance to more than 19,091 patients.
Beginning in July, LLS and Subaru will mail blankets and personalized letters directly to the homes of every patient who received support through the COVID-19 Patient Financial Aid Program, thus continuing the tradition of bringing warmth and comfort to patients and their families during these challenging times.
“Like many nonprofit organizations, LLS is not immune to the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Louis J. DeGennaro, LLS President and CEO. “But despite these challenges, we remain laser-focused on advancing cutting-edge research and helping blood cancer patients and their families. Our appreciation for Subaru’s unwavering dedication and support cannot be overstated. Together, we are truly making an impact on the lives of cancer patients and their families, at a time when they need us more than ever.”
In addition to Subaru Loves to Care, Subaru created its own fundraising team to support LLS’s latest virtual fundraising innovation, Big Virtual Climb, on June 13, joining thousands of LLS supporters as they climbed virtually the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, raising funds to support LLS’s mission.
Subaru staff participating in Big Virtual Climb to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society