The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia Lymphoma Society is a dynamic organization which invests an average of $60 million each year to financially support the research that saved my grandmother’s life twice, Jack’s life and helped improve the bone marrow transplant process that has saved my uncle’s life. Did you know that becoming a bone marrow donor is as easy as donating blood and can be done anonymously from the comfort of your own community? LLS supports a number of programs, most notably Specialized Center of Research (SCOR), which brings researchers together to coordinate their efforts and bring about treatments and cures more quickly.

My Superhero Logo

You may have noticed the logo I created for this campaign. The Superheroes in the logo represent all of my loved ones whose lives have been impacted by the diagnosis and treatment of blood cancers. My grandmother, a true warrior, survived both lymphoma (2007) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL, 2009). My Uncle Fil recently underwent a bone marrow transplant due to CLL and as my Aunt Kim struggles to be his Angel and caregiver. My sweet friend Caroline, whom I met while volunteering at Texas Children’s Hospital, was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) at age 10 and will continue treatment for several years. Sweet Caroline’s mom, dad and siblings who work daily to survive the emotional and financial toll this diagnosis has taken on their family. Jack Dragna, 2010 LLS Boy of the Year, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at just 19 months of age. In March of 2007 Jack successfully finished his treatment and will soon be approaching long-term survivor status. These are just a few of the people I know and love however everyday I learn of another family whose loved one has been diagnosed with a blood cancer. Did you know in the time it took you to read this website an American has been diagnosed with a blood cancer?

About Blood Cancers

Blood cancers know no boundaries regarding age, race or creed. In fact, blood cancers have profoundly touched my life and for this reason I agreed to become a Woman of the Year candidate when I was approached by a dear friend. An estimated 912,938 Americans are currently living with blood cancers and unfortunately someone dies from blood cancers every 10 minutes. Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children under the age of 20. Additionally, Lymphomas are the most common blood cancers and incidence increases with age.