There are several organizations that are involved in education, advocacy, awareness, support, and research for blood cancer. These organizations provide opportunities for people with blood cancer and their families to connect with each other and get involved in activities.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. The mission of ACS is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. ACS funds research on cancer, promotes healthy lifestyles to prevent cancer, fights for policy changes to save lives, and provides emotional support through a 24-7 helpline, community services, support groups, an online community, and day-to-day help and support, like rides to treatment, lodging, and wigs.1
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the largest voluntary health organization that is focused on funding research, finding cures, and ensuring access to treatment for people with blood cancer. The mission of the LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS fights for research, patient access, and policy changes. LLS invests in research for blood cancer and provides patient support through information specialists, patient communities, support groups, and peer-to-peer support.2
MPN Research Foundation
The MPN Research Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on developing new treatments and a cure for polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myelofibrosis, known collectively as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).3
Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation
The Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Foundation is an international organization devoted to the support and education of patients and healthcare professionals, providing innovative research in the fields of MDS and related myeloid neoplasms. The goal of the MDS Foundation is to accelerate progress leading to the control and cure of these diseases. For healthcare professionals, the MDS Foundation conducts international symposia on MDS and related diseases, research funding, and professional educational initiatives. The MDS Foundation also provides patients with referrals to Centers of Excellence, contact information for clinical trials, educational information on these diseases, and advocates for patient’s rights.4
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is a non-profit organization focused on accelerating the pace of treating and curing multiple myeloma. The MMRF has several initiatives aimed at furthering research and developing new treatments for multiple myeloma.5
National CML Society
The National CML Society is an organization created by and for patients and their families for information about chronic myelogenous leukemia. The mission of the National CML Society is to bring hope through educational resources, access to CML specialists, and a network of others who share their personal experiences and successes with CML. The National CML Society provides counseling services, support for caregivers, peer matching, blood and bone marrow drives, and retreats and wellness events.6
National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the cancer arm of the National Institutes of Health and is the government’s principal agency for cancer research and training. NCI leads, conducts, and supports cancer research across the nation to advance scientific knowledge and help all people live longer, healthier lives. NCI is the largest funder of cancer research in the world, and they coordinate and support all phases of clinical trials. NCI also certifies and maintains a list of comprehensive cancer centers, medical centers that get support from the NCI to do research and provide direct patient services.7
Triage Cancer
Triage Cancer is a non-profit organization that provides guidance around legal and financial issues that cancer patients and caregivers may encounter. Triage Cancer hosts in-person events, webinars, and in-service events for oncology professionals, as well as providing numerous online resources.8
Be The Match
Be The Match is a non-profit organization that connects people with leukemia, lymphoma, and other life-threatening diseases with bone marrow donors. Be The Match gives support to patients, caregivers, and families by offering resources and guidance throughout the transplant process.9