Critical research is being done on a daily basis by tireless blood cancer researchers to find out more about blood cancers and how they work. Most research cannot be completed without necessary funds, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has devoted more than $600 million to blood cancer research since the first funding in 1954

LLS allows blood cancer researchers to apply for funding for their research projects through the Career Development Program (CDP). This program supports blood cancer researchers early in their careers to ensure that they have the opportunity to work on innovative life-saving research as well as the ability to learn more about blood cancers and the diseases’ challenges.

In order to qualify, research projects must be relevant to LLS’s mission: cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Examples of relevant research areas are experimental therapeutics, cell growth regulation and DNA damage and repair.

If you are a researcher or know a researcher that could benefit from LLS funding, please visit the Career Development Program page on www.LLS.org for deadlines, detailed guidelines and a link to proposalCENTRAL.

Learn more about our research initiatives, and discover how LLS has been an innovative non-profit organization for 60 years.

If you are a regular visitor to www.LLS.org you’ll notice that our logo has undergone a change in honor of our 60th anniversary. That’s right – in 1949 The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) was created by a family who had lost their 16-year-old son to leukemia just a short five years prior. At the time they named the organization after their son, calling it the Robert Roesler de Villiers Foundation.

In the sixty years since first working out of a small office on Wall Street, LLS has become the leading nationwide organization in the fight against blood cancers. No longer are leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma considered almost fatal diseases as they once were in 1949. Through innovative efforts LLS has helped to significantly increase survival rates of these blood cancers, and remains committed to stay on the forefront in the following areas:

Research – Our new Therapy Acceleration Program allows us to help facilitate the rapid development of promising new therapies that might otherwise go undeveloped.

Patient Services – 80,000 inquiries about blood cancers, treatments, resources and other critical issues were handled by our Information Resource Center in 2008 alone.

Advocacy – We have championed the first legislation in the country to provide neuro-psychological testing for pediatric cancer survivors.

Fundraising – Team In Training® (TNT) has raised almost $1 billion for blood cancer research and patient services in the 20 years that it has existed, and continues to be a strong fundraising force with the active support of its participants.

We have created a special website dedicated to LLS’s 60th anniversary where you can learn more about the innovations we’ve made and the people we have directly impacted on this journey. Visit now at www.LLS.org/innovation, and you’ll discover how and why we’re on the cutting edge.

Has The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helped you or a loved one? Tell us about your story on our online community. Note: You’ll need to create a free account in order to post your story.

Want to give back? Make a safe and secure online donation to help us continue our mission of eradicating blood cancers.