The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Inc

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), founded in 1949, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS has 64 chapters in the United States, as well as five chapters in Canada (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada). LLS created the Information Resource Center (IRC) to provide blood cancer patients, their families and health professionals accurate, current disease information and support. IRC information specialists are social workers, nurses and health educators. Nationwide volunteer fundraising events and activities include Team in Training (an endurance sports training program where volunteers train to complete an endurance sports event while fundraising to support the fight against blood cancers), Light The Night Walk (a community-based walk that celebrates patients battling cancer, their families and supporters), and Student Series (K-12 student service learning program to raise awareness and funds to fight blood cancer). Each chapter also organizes its own fundraising activities. Originally known as the Robert Roesler de Villiers Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was founded in New York City in 1949 by Rudolph and Antoinette de Villiers after the death of their son Robert from leukemia. The name of the organization was later changed to the Leukemia Society of America in the 1960s, and later to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in 2000 to reflect the organization's focus on all types of blood cancer. Since its founding, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has provided more than 600 million dollars for research on blood cancers and has coordinated a nationwide informational clearinghouse for medical professionals, caregivers, and patients. For the organization's 60th anniversary, an organizational goal to transform the lives of people with blood cancer and the healthcare landscape that patients, families and caregivers navigate was established.