The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is here to help!

The Society's comprehensive Patient Services programs provide free up-to-date information on blood cancers and their treatments by phone or Web.  Our programs include educational seminars for patients and families, Family Support Groups, peer counseling and direct patient financial aid.

The following is a summary of available patient service programs that are free to qualified patients. For more information, please email Carrie Scholz, LMSW. You may also call (315) 471-1050 or toll-free at (800) 690-8944.

First Connection Program
First Connection connects a newly diagnosed patient with a trained peer volunteer who has experienced a similar situation. Trained volunteer survivors offer support and information to individuals or patients' family members learning to cope with leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma.

Family Support Group
Free Family Support Groups help serve the needs of patients, family members and friends who are learning to live with blood cancer. The groups offer a warm and caring atmosphere in which participants come together to identify and share concerns, problems and positive experiences with the group. Group members are motivated to help themselves and each other to cope with their life-threatening illness. The group is facilitated by experienced health care professionals who volunteer their time. You must pre-pregister for these sessions by calling the contacts below.

• Syracuse Area Family Support Group
  Meets the third Thursday of each month. For further information and to register, please contact Carrie Scholz at (315) 471-1050 or (800) 690-8944.
• Syracuse Area Knitting Support Group. This support group is for survivors, patients and family members.  For information or to register for this innovative type of support group, please contact Carrie Scholz at (315) 471-1050 or (800) 690-8944.
• Binghamton Area Family Support Group
  Meets the first Wednesday of each month. For further information and to register, please contact Carrie at (315) 471-1050 or (800) 690-8944.

Patient Financial Aid Program
This program provides financial support to patients with blood cancer in significant financial need. Financial assistance of up to $500 per year, per patient is available for covered outpatient expenses, including medications used in the treatment or control of the disease, blood and marrow transfusions and testings, radiation therapy and transportation costs to and from the doctor's office, Family Support Group, hospital or treatment center.

Patient Education
The Society provides free information on blood cancers through literature, posters, films and videos, speaking engagements, seminars and education programs, news releases and public service advertising. Information is available from each local chapter and from the Society's national Information Resources Center, at (800) 955-4572.
Clinical Trial Series - The National Cancer Institute's new Clinical Trials Education Series (CTES) is a complete collection of resources to educate cancer patients, healthcare professionals, advocates and the general public about cancer prevention and treatment clinical trials.

Advocacy
The Society advocates public policy positions that accelerate progress towards cures for leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. The aim of the program is to improve the quality of life of those with blood cancers, their friends and families. Critical elements of this effort include ensuring patients access to high-quality healthcare and creating a positive climate for research on the diseases.

To advance its policy goals, the Society encourages its volunteers, friends and other supporters to contact their elected representatives - in Congress and in state legislatures - to share with them the impact that leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma have on thousands of American and to urge responsible policies that will address the serious burden of these diseases.

The Trish Greene Back to School Program for the Child with Cancer
Our school reentry program helps young survivors adjust to life after treatment, and teaches families, classmates, teachers and healthcare professionals how to deal with the issues surrounding childhood cancer. Program videos and materials are available for preschool and elementary, middle and high school students.

Community Service
We have a two-way communications program with social service agencies and treatment facilities, resource materials and support groups are provided by the chapter.

Fundraising
The above services are supported entirely by your donations. The chapter holds a wide variety of fundraising events and programs annually. If you are interested in making a donation of time or money to the mission of the Society, please contact us!

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