Leukemia Research Foundation

In 1946, the Leukemia Research Foundation was established in Chicago to memorialize 12-year-old Sherwin Pessin. For Sherwin, as well as thousands of other children and adults, there was no hope and no possibility for a cure. Since that time 77 years ago, the LRF has raised more than $84 million in pursuit of our mission: to cure leukemia by funding innovative research, and to support patients and families. Our strategy to achieve these vitally important ambitions is to fund New Investigator research into the causes and cures of leukemia, provide patient financial assistance and offer educational and emotional support programs. The three pillars of the LRF include: 

• New Investigator Research: Based on recommendations from our prestigious independent Medical Advisory Board, the LRF provides research grants and exclusively funds New Investigators - individuals who are beginning to establish their own laboratories and are no longer under the tutelage of a senior scientist mentor.  Providing two-year grants of $150,000 to selected New Investigator researchers, allows innovative scientists to act on their ideas, and try new procedures and experiments that will hopefully lead to significant breakthroughs.
• Patient Grant Program: The LRF’s Patient Financial Assistance Program provides support to patients and families struggling under the financial burden of a leukemia diagnosis. The program provides a one-time payment to alleviates expenses for eligible patients under the burden leukemia.  
• Patient Education: The LRF conducts virtual and in person educational and support programs for patients, family members, caregivers and medical professionals. These conferences, including the New & Emerging Treatments Conference, Leukemia Q&A and more are offered free of charge.