The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Courtesy of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Maida R. Milone

What we do: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

History: Originally known as the Robert Roesler de Villiers Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was founded in New York in 1949 by Rudolph and Antoinette de Villiers after their son, Robert, died of leukemia.

Location: With offices in Allentown and Conshohocken, the chapter consists of 18 counties in eastern Pennsylvania, including Berks.

Serves: We serve more than 1,000 patients and families with our patient services, educational and support groups, First Connections Program, patient financial aid and co-pay assistance.

Current budget: $4.9 million for fiscal 2011.

Staff: 30 employees.

Top administrator: Executive Director Maida R. Milone has been with the organization nearly two years.

We're most proud of: Every day our organization provides hope and support for blood cancer patients and their families through voluntary contributions that fund research and patient services. This past year, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was able to provide 540 patients with $53,700 in patient aid and $792,197 in co-pay assistance in eastern Pennsylvania.

Upcoming events: September is Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma Awareness Month, when the chapter sheds light on these diseases and lets the public know the resources that are available for patients and their families. To learn more about our services and programs, please call 866-776-8240 or visit our website www.lls.org/epa.

How to get involved: Nationwide volunteer fundraising events and activities include: Team In Training (volunteers train to complete in endurance sports while fundraising to support the fight against blood cancers), Light The Night (a community-based walk that celebrates patients battling cancer, their families and supporters), and School & Youth, (a student service and cooperative team program to raise awareness and money to fight blood cancers). Each chapter also organizes its own fundraising activities.

Website: www.lls.org/epa.

At Your Service is a weekly feature spotlighting nonprofit social service agencies and volunteer opportunities in Berks County.

Source: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=411230

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