The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Suncoast Chapter

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Suncoast Chapter serves 12 counties along the west coast of Florida including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Sarasota counties. 

There are about 1.2 million people in the U.S. who are living with, or are in remission from a blood cancer.  Survival rates for blood cancers have doubled, tripled and even quadrupled since the 1960s.  Despite these advances, about one third of patients with a blood cancer still do not survive even five years after their diagnosis.  Every 3 minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer and every 10 minutes, someone dies.  Leukemia is the #1 cancer taking the lives of our children which is why more funding is needed to bring better therapies to patients, and faster. 

How Your Dollars Help Others

Research:

LLS supoprts research across the globe and is currently funding $795,000 in research grants at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.  Since its inception, LLS has invested over $1 billion dollars in research to find cures and better treatments. 

Education and Patient Services:

LLS serves as the leading source of information on blood cancers through its Information Resource Center (IRC), an extensive collection of free educational materials, professional education and an awared-winning website.

LLS provides a wide range of services including family support groups, peer-to-peer support for newly diagnosed patients, free educational programs, travel assistance and co-pay assistance. 

In fiscal year 2016, the LLS Suncoast Chapter provided critical services to patients, including over $1,557 million in co-pay assistance to 676 patients in our local communities to help offset the cost of co-pays, medications and even health care premiums. 

In addition, through our National Travel Assistance Program, the LLS Suncoast Chapter also provided a $500 credit card to offset the high cost of travel to 43 local patients totaling $21,000. 

Advocacy:

Critical challenges remain in the development of new treatments and cures.  LLS's Office of Public Policy, along with local volunteers, advocates for accelerated development and approval of better therapies and quality care through legislation.