The role of caregiver can come about expectedly or thrust upon someone suddenly. It is a role that is guided by the heart and done out of love, with the patient's best interests at heart. Caregivers can get overlooked with all of the tasks that must be completed, as the patient's concerns remain a top priority. It is important to show caregivers that they are appreciated for their patience and compassion within their new role. We'd like to use this month to acknowledge those who have offe...
We’ve seen therapies for patients with blood cancers approved this past year at a pace that would make your head spin. With the latest U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval coming just today, I thought it would be a good time to take a step back and look at all of the remarkable progress that has occurred in this year alone. Today’s approval marks the eleventh therapy for a blood cancer approved in 2017, many of which are the result of groundbreaking discoveries supporte...
Rye Brook, N.Y. (October 18, 2017) – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) hails today’s U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a new, personalized cell therapy that supercharges the patient’s immune system to find and kill cancer cells. The therapy, axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta ™), is the second of this new method of treatment, known as CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell immunotherapy, to receive FDA approval for blood cancer patients in the past six weeks, ...
Rye Brook, N.Y. (September 20, 2017) - U.S. Senators Lindsay Graham (South Carolina) and Bill Cassidy (Louisiana) recently introduced a bill to dismantle portions of the Affordable Care Act. The U.S. Senate may advance this legislation as early as next week under a special process that requires only a simple majority to advance it to the U.S. House of Representatives. The Graham-Cassidy proposal would increase premiums and out-of-pocket costs for life-saving cancer care and allow insurers to ...
Loss of appetite and difficulty eating is a common side effect of cancer treatment, but healthy food is essential to fuel your fight. Drinking plenty of water and getting enough of the right nutrients can be incredibly helpful for your recovery. One nutrient worth paying a little extra attention to is protein - and not just because it’s satisfying and keeps you full. Why Protein? When your body isn’t getting enough protein, it begins to break down muscle tissues for energy. This can...
On this week’s episode of The Bloodline with LLS, Alicia and Lizette speak with Monica Bryant, COO & Co-Founder of Triage Cancer, who shares quality information on healthcare-related issues for those diagnosed with cancer. As a cancer rights attorney, she believes a patient’s life should not be in jeopardy due to a lack of information. Be sure to jot down notes as she gives us the 411 on cancer and health insurance. The Bloodline with LLS is here to remind you that after a diagnosi...
Being diagnosed with a blood cancer can make you feel like you are alone. The Bloodline with LLS is here to remind you that after a diagnosis comes hope. Listen in as experts and patients guide listeners in understanding diagnosis, treatment, and resources available to blood cancer patients. Join Alicia Patten (below left) and Lizette Rivera (below right) from the Patient Access Education Team at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as they explore various survivorship topics. Don’t m...
Kaitlyn Johnson is a full-of-life seven year old – she has tons of energy, breaks out in dance moves whenever any song comes on, loves to get her nails and hair made up, and keeps up with what is trendy and cool. For the past three years, she has pursued her dream of being a Texas cheerleader. Mandy, her mom, is the cheer coach of Kaitlyn’s team of more than 30 young girls. While Kaitlyn spends her time cheering, dancing, and building friendships, she has also had to have some pr...
September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is increasing awareness about the urgency to find cures for blood cancers – the third most common cancer killer in the U.S. Throughout the month, our blog series will focus on the three main types of blood cancers: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. We spoke with Meredith Barnhart, LCSW, Director, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Information Resource Center who has extensive experience as a clinic...
(Rye Brook, NY – September 13, 2017) –The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) today announced the extension of its hurricane relief program set up last week to assist blood cancer patients in Texas and Louisiana affected by Hurricane Harvey, to provide direct support to blood cancer patients hit by Hurricane Irma. The world’s largest non-profit dedicated to fighting blood cancers, LLS committed up to $1 million in direct donations to blood cancer patients. Patients with a confirme...
