The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is committed to reaching out in meaningful ways to blood cancer patients, their families and caregivers. Programs have been developed to meet the needs of patients, families, oncology professionals and concerned individuals.
To find out more about the Virginia Chapter's patient services programs, please select from the links below or contact our Patient Services Manager Debra Abney at (800) 766-0797 or via email at Debra.Abney@LLS.org.
Family Support Groups are open free of charge to all patients with a blood cancer and their families. Participants must pre-register before attending. For Information, call Debra Abney, Patient Service Manager or Belinda Odell, Patient Service Coordinator at (800) 766-0797.
Hampton (Adult)
Group meets the first Tuesday evening of each month at Sentata Cancer Institute.
Harrisonburg (Adult)
Meets monthly on the first Thursday at Rockingham Memorial Hospital Behavioral Health Center.
Norfolk (Adult)
Meets every other month on the third Tuesday at Virginia Oncology Associates Lake Wright Office.
Newport News and Yorktown (Young Adult Cancer Survivors Group)
Meets monthly alternating locations between The Ronald McDonald House in Norfolk and the Victory YMCA in Yorktown on the second Wednesday. This is a general cancer group, not specific to blood cancers and all cancer survivors between the ags of 18-35 are encouraged to attend.
Norfolk (Parent/Caregiver)
Meets monthly at Chidlren's Hospital of The King's Daughters.
Norfolk and Newport News (Moms Helping Moms)
Meets monthly alternating locations between St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Norfolk and Warwick United Church of Christ in Newport News.
Norfolk (Father's Group)
Meets quarterly at different locations.
Richmond (Adult)
Meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday evening of each month at Massey Cancer Center, Stony Point location.
Richmond (Adult)
Daytime group meets monthly on the second Friday of each month at Henrico Doctors Hospital.
Richmond (Young Adult Cancer Survivors Group)
Meets quarterly and locations vary. This is a general cancer group, not specific to blood cancers and all cancer survivors between the ages of 18-35 are encouraged to attend.
Richmond Bereavement Group ( Youth )
Grief support groups for children ages 6 - 18 as well as their parents / caregivers. Groups will be available for children and teens who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, caregiver, or other signi-cant person.The Hands On Healing groups are structured around an age-appropriate curriculum, open discussion, peer support, art, crafts, music, journaling,and play. Meets quarterly for 8 wks at Bon Secours in the evenings.
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Our First Connection program gives patients and family members the opportunity to speak one-on-one with a trained volunteer who has experienced a similar diagnosis. Survivors of blood cancers and/or family members who are physically and emotionally healthy are trained to be peer-to-peer support persons. They help patients and family members who are dealing with being newly diagnosed or currently undergoing treatment. The First Connection program is here to help people cope with life's daily struggles and the unknown future that lies ahead. For a connection or for more information, please call Debra Abney in our Richmond office at (800) 766-0797.
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| Patient Financial Assistance |
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, myelona or myelodysplastic syndromes or another blood cancer. The patients' physician must complete and sign the bottom of the application form. The patient must return the completed application to their local chapter. The Patient Financial Aid program begins each July 1 and ends each June 30. Patients must reapply every year (after June 30th). As always, reimbursement is based on patient financial aid fund availability. For more information plese call (800)766-0797.
Co-pay Assistance Program - Patients who medically and financially qualify who have difficulty paying for or simply cannot affort their health insurance premiums or prescription drug co-pays can now apply for assistance from LLS. Patients needing assistance may apply on the LLS website, www.LLS.org/copay, call (877) LLS-COPAY, (877) 557-2672 or email copay@LLS.org.
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A number of Patient Education Programs including: Living with Myeloma , Getting the Best Cancer Care at Age 55 Or Older, The Road To Discovery: Emerging Therapies In Blood Cancers, Welcome Back: Facilitating The Back To School Experience For Childhood Cancer Survivors and Virginia Blood Cancer Conference are offered free of charge to help bring treatment options into clearer focus and to strengthen decision-making and coping skills for patients, families and caregivers. Call Debra Abney at (800) 766-0797 for dates of upcoming programs in your area.
Teleconferences and Webcasts - LLS sponsors more than 25 educational teleconferences and Webcasts each year on topics of interest to patients and caregivers. Information on registration for these free events can be accessed at www.LLS.org; audio, podcasts and Webcast archives of these programs are available at www.LLS.org.
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The Virginia Chapter has a wealth of information on blood cancers and available treatments. Free booklets, fact sheets and numerous publications are available through a chapter-based lending library.
The Trish Greene Back to School Program for Children with Cancer
This program is designed to increase communication among healthcare professionals, parents, patients and school personnel to assure youngsters a smooth transition from active treatment back to school. Printed literature, videos and other materials to aid the process are available.
Welcome Back: Facilitating the School Experience for Childhood Cancer Survivors. A new addition to The Trish Greene Back to School Program, this education program discusses possible emotional and cognitive short- and long-term effects that children may experience after treatment, and offers numerous resources that can assist childhood cancer survivors to flourish in the school environment post-treatment. This program is made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
To obtain materials on the Trish Greene Program or for dates of upcoming programs or any educational opportunities, please call Debra Abney at (800) 766-0797.
Return to Top If you are looking for an opportunity to advocate on behalf of individuals diagnosed with a blood cancer, here is your chance. On a daily basis, LLS works to promote increased federal funding for biomedical research and healthcare reform issues. This is an ongoing battle, and we are always in need of advocates to help make our voice louder and stronger.
Please call Debra Abney at (800) 766-0797 for more information.
LLS shares research updates and advances in treatment with healthcare professionals through symposiums, medical lectures and printed material. Free education programs that provide CEU credits to healthcare professionals are held throughout the year. For dates of upcoming programs please call Debra Abney at (800) 766-0797. .
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