Find the support you need online

communityreply@lls.org — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:26:30 GMT

Sometimes the most important thing is to know that you’re not alone. The overwhelming burden of receiving a diagnosis and undergoing treatment can be made easier when a patient can connect to other people who have similar feelings and experiences to share.

Carolyn is one patient who found this to be true. She had always been healthy and no one in her family had ever been diagnosed with cancer, so getting the news that she had chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was a shock. Trying to educate herself about CLL was daunting because there was so much new information to take in all at once. Undergoing treatment was draining and isolating, too; Carolyn just wasn’t able to go out and connect with other people.

One day, Carolyn was checking her emails and saw an article about online support groups in an eNewsletter from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). She felt that this was exactly what she needed and as soon as she joined a group she found empathetic friends.

“Suddenly dealing with the diagnosis of cancer and chemotherapy, being isolated in my fears and physical fight, and dealing with a huge medical system was overwhelming. I could not go to public places, I did not feel like going out, but online, I could connect to a world of people who knew exactly how I felt and who cared so much. It strengthened me as well, in that I could be supportive of others.”

The online support group that Carolyn has been involved with is provided through a partnership between LLS and The Wellness Community. The groups are private, password-protected and are led by professionals. There is a weekly lymphoma group held on Mondays at 8:00 PM ET, and a weekly general blood cancer group that meets on Tuesdays at 8:00 PM ET. And there are other groups that deal with more general topics, including bereavement, caregiving and living with multiple diagnoses.

To learn more or to join for free, visit http://lls.thewellnesscommunity.org.

Patient Programs Update

communityreply@lls.org — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:47:56 GMT

This time of year we all seem to have so much more to do. Why not plan some things just for you? If you have myeloma or know someone who does, check out our new fall program at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). We also have several local events (Chapter Education Programs) about all types of blood cancers going on throughout the year. Included below are some offerings you may want consider in the coming weeks and months.

National Education Programs

October 15, 2008 - Understanding Myeloma: From Diagnosis Through Treatment. Register now for this telephone education program which will feature Dr. Asher A. Chanan-Khan. Participants will have a chance to ask Dr. Chanan-Khan questions during this hour and a half program.

Chapter Education Programs

Contact your local chapter about the availability of the following programs in your area:

Welcome Back: Facilitating the School Experience for Childhood Cancer Survivors - Note that parents are also welcome at this event.
Getting the Best Cancer Care at Age 55 and Older
Milestones in Myeloma Therapy: An Overview for Patients and Caregivers
The Road to Discovery: Emerging Therapies in Blood Cancers

There are also other programs that occur all throughout the year. Find out more about the following on-going programs:

Family Support Groups - These are regularly scheduled meetings that bring together patients, families and friends.
First Connection - Be matched with someone who has been through a similar cancer experience. Volunteers are also welcome to join this program.
Chat Sessions - Every Monday and Wednesday NHL patients are welcome to come online and chat about their cancer experience.

As always, feel free to share suggestions, ideas or questions with our Information Resource Center staff. Contact us via our Contact Us form or by phone at 1-800-955-4572. Or just visit us at www.LLS.org.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Blog

Find the support you need online

Patient Programs Update