The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is committed to reaching out to those with leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma in meaningful ways. Chapters across the country offer programs to meet the needs of patients, families and oncology professionals - the people who deal with blood cancers every day and the people who care for them.
The Central Florida Chapter strives to provide services that benefit those here in the Central Florida area. Listed below is information about local programs and events. There is never a charge for any program or service offered by the Society. To find out more about these programs, contact Maria Avenancio, Patient Services Manager, at (407) 898-0733 or (800) 785-0733 or email avenanciom@lls.org .
First Connection
Emotional support and encouragement for patients and their family members is only a phone call away thanks to the Society's First Connection program. This program links newly diagnosed patients by phone with trained volunteer survivors who have experienced a similar situation. Volunteers offer information and hope to those learning to cope with blood cancers.
Community Resources
Information about resources available in the local area to assist you and your family can be obtained from our office.
Patient Financial Aid Program
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Patient Financial Aid Program offers up to $150.00 per year to help patients offset expenses. Receipts for expenses are no longer required. To apply, the patient must be a U.S. resident and be in active treatment or ongoing medical follow-up for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or myelodysplastic syndromes or another blood cancer. The patient's physician must complete and sign the bottom part of the application form. The patient must return the completed form to his or her local chapter. The Patient Financial Aid Program begins each July 1 and ends each June 30. Patients must reapply every year (after June 30). As always, reimbursement is based on availability of funds.
Family Support Groups
The Central Florida Chapter sponsors monthly Family Support Groups. They are guided by healthcare professionals and are intended to give information and support and to encourage greater communication among patients, their families, friends and healthcare providers. Call the chapter for more information.
- The Tri-County Family Support Group meets in Orlando on the last Tuesday of every month. Topics and speakers vary each month.
- The Spacecoast Family Support Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month in Melbourne. Times, topics and speakers vary.
- The Polk County Family Support Group meets in Lakeland on the second Monday of the month.
- The Lake County Family Support Group meets in Tavares on the fourth Thursday of each month.
- The Volusia County Family Support Group meets in Daytona Beach on the second Thursday of each month.
- The Titusville Family Support Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
- The Villages Family Support Group meets on the third Wednesday of every month.
- ** Bone Marrow & Stem Cell Transplant Support Group,** located in Orlando, meets on the second Tuesday of every month.
- ** Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma Support Group,** located in Orange City, meets on the first Wednesday of every month.
Advocacy Network
The advocacy network provides a strong voice in Washington to lobby Congress in support of issues that affect research and patient care. Working through our chapters across the country, staff and volunteers are building a grassroots advocacy network to rally the voices of patients and families on common goals related to cancer care. Visit our Legislative Action Center Today!
The Trish Greene Back to School Program for Children with Cancer
This program was designed to increase communication among healthcare professionals, parents, patients and school personnel to assure a smooth transition from active treatment back to school for children with cancer. Materials, videos and other printed inventory are available from the Central Florida Chapter.
Resource Library
The Central Florida Chapter has created a lending library for patients, family members and healthcare professionals. Items can be checked out from the Orlando office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Materials can also be mailed to recipients. A return envelope with postage will be included with each request so the borrower will incur no cost. The Boeing Company Charitable Trust provides funding for the library. For a list of library materials or to order a library selection, please click here.
Educational Programs
The Society seeks to be a beacon of help and guidance to anyone touched by a blood cancer. A variety of events are offered throughout the year. Programs address disease information, treatment options, decision making and coping skills. Topics include: Cancer Clinical Trials, Cancer: Keys to Survivorship, Meet the Expert on Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Meet the Doctor. Upcoming presentations are listed on the chapter's calendar of events and information is mailed to those who have requested to be on our local mailing list.
Upcoming Educational Programs
A Day of Education *Hematological Malignancies: What is a blood cancer?* Getting the Best Cancer Care* New Directions for Blood Cancer Therapies* Living with Myeloma: An Overview of Diagnosis and Treatment* Target Audience: Patients and their families, caregivers and all healthcare professionals Nurses and social workers will receive up to 6 ceu's for attending this educational seminar. November 14, 2009 10:00 am-3:00 pm Please call to RSVP.
Welcome Back: Facilitating the School Experience for Childhood Cancer Survivors Target Audience: School teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, social workers, nurses and all other healthcare professionals. Parents of childhood cancer survivors are strongly encouraged to attend. Nurses and social workers will receive 3 ceu's for attending this program. November 17, 2009 6:00 pm Please call to RSVP.
Resource Library - The Central Florida Chapter has created a lending-library for patients, family members and healthcare professionals
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