The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Leukemia Research Fund of Canada sign agreement to expand patient services throughout Canada
The Leukemia Research Fund of Canada will become an affiliate of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society effective July 1, 2004
White Plains, NY (PRWEB) July 2, 2004
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada today announced that they signed an agreement under which the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada will become an affiliate of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Leukemia Research Fund of Canada will change its name, effective July 1, to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
Under the terms of the agreement, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will invest resources that will bring critical services and programs to blood cancer patients and their families throughout Canada.
“We are pleased and proud to expand our Society’s role as the leading source of information and services regarding blood cancers across an international border – for the first time – to our friends in Canada,” said John Kamins, Chairman, National Board of Trustees of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “As the Society expands, so does our opportunity to attract new donors to help us achieve our mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.”
“We feel very positive about our affiliation with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,” said Wally Lumsden, President of the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada. “Together, we will increase public awareness of blood cancers and provide important patient services and programs currently unavailable to Canadian families.”
The two organizations will raise funds collaboratively to support leading-edge blood cancer research and critical patient services. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada will continue to support start up grants that provide financial support to Canadian blood cancer researchers early in their careers.
In Canada, more than 66,000 people are battling blood cancers, and every year more than 12,000 Canadians are newly diagnosed with the diseases. In the U. S., an estimated 712,000 Americans currently have blood cancers, and every five minutes, someone is newly diagnosed with the diseases – approximately 110,960 new cases are expected this year in the U. S.
Important Merger Information – Consent[s] of the Minister of Industry (Canada) and the Canada Revenue Agency pending.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society®, headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $360 million (US$) for research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made more than 441,000 patient contacts through services provided at its home office and by its 63 chapters nationwide.
For more information about blood cancers, visit www. LLS. org or call the SocietyÂ’s Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. ET.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
Established in 1955, the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada on July 1, 2004 becomes The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. It will continue to be a nonprofit organization committed to:
•Eliminating leukemia, lymphoma (Hodgkin & non-Hodgkin), myeloma and related blood diseases
•Raising funds to support Canadian research in this field
•Promoting public understanding of blood cancers, their early detection and methods of treatment, until cures are found.
Branches and volunteers across Canada raise funds and promote public awareness of blood cancers. A distinguished volunteer medical advisory group sets policy and conducts peer reviews annually to select the best researchers and projects to support. Research has realized tremendous results. In children, the cure rate now exceeds 80% for certain types of leukemia. For further information, visit www. leukemia. ca or call (416) 661-9541.
Contact:
In Canada
Robin Markowitz
416-661-9541 (ext. 106)
Robin. markowitz@leukemia. ca
In the United States:
Nancy Klein
+1 (914) 821-8812
Kleinn@lls. org
