CLL: Risk, Research, and Resources

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This podcast was originally published by The Bloodline With LLS on January 22, 2019, here.

Join Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as they speak with Dr. Ann LaCasce, Program Director of the Dana-Farber/ Partners CancerCare Fellowship, the largest hematology/oncology training program in the country. On this episode, Dr. LaCasce explains the difference between chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), CLL and its connection with Agent Orange exposure, resources available for Veterans, current and emerging therapies, clinical trials and the importance of medication adherence. Dr. LaCasce shares her excitement for what is to come for CLL treatment and her appreciation for fellow providers around the world, who work to move science forward as they continue to learn from each other.

Ann LaCasce, MD

LLS Financial Assistance Programs

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This resource was originally published on Leukemia and Lymphoma Society here.

Applying for health insurance or filing health insurance claims can be a full-time job and extremely overwhelming to patients, their caregivers and families. There are many excellent guides and tools available to help in working through these challenges and determining which resources are available to them. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) offers the following financial assistance programs to help individuals with blood cancer.

For a summary of all LLS Patient Financial Assistance Programs, click here.

Co-Pay Assistance Program

LLS’s Co-Pay Assistance Program offers financial support toward the cost of insurance co-payments and/or insurance premium costs for prescription drugs. Patients must qualify both medically and financially for this program. Access the Copayment Assistance Resource Guide for Blood Cancer Patients for additional co-pay assistance resources.

Patient Financial Assistance Programs

Patient Aid Program

The LLS Patient Aid Program provides financial assistance to blood cancer patients in active treatment. Eligible patients will receive a $100 stipend.

Susan Lang Pay-It-Forward Patient Travel Assistance Program
LLS’s Susan Lang Pay-It-Forward Patient Travel Assistance Program is available to blood cancer patients, with significant financial need, who may qualify to receive financial assistance for approved expenses which include: ground transportation, air travel, and lodging related expenses.

Urgent Need Program
LLS’s Urgent Need Program, established in partnership with Moppie’s Love, is available to help pediatric and young adult blood cancer patients, or adult blood cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials, who are in acute financial need. The program provides eligible patients with assistance for non-medical expenses including rent, mortgage, lodging, utilities, childcare, elder care, food, transportation, car repair, car insurance, phone service, and acute dental work related to treatment.

Other Financial Aid
For information about other financial aid, click here.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Diagnosis & Prognosis

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This podcast was originally published on The Bloodline With LLS on April 22, 2019, here.

 

Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Martha Arellano, Associate Professor of Hematology and Oncology and Program Director of the Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. On this episode, Dr. Arellano defines acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and how it is diagnosed. She addresses questions about cause and prevention and how treatment is determined for younger vs older patients. Dr. Arellano also explains the importance of a patient getting a second opinion to not only increase their education about diagnosis and treatment options but also as a way to move forward with a team they trust.

Treating Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

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This podcast was originally published on The Bloodline With LLS on May 21, 2019, here.

 

There have been few advances in treatment for AML in 40 years. Why is acute myeloid leukemia (AML) so difficult to treat? What is the current treatment for AML? How is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) striving to change that? How are targeted therapies being used for patients? Is immediate treatment for patients necessary for all AML patients? How does a patient’s ethnic background play a role in finding a matching bone marrow donor?

Join Alicia and Lizette as they address these questions and more with Dr. Martha Arellano from Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. On this episode, Dr. Arellano addresses current treatment and treatment advances for AML, including stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy. She also explains the goal and impact of the Beat AML Master Trial, a groundbreaking collaborative and targeted clinical trial for patients with AML. Listen in as Dr. Arellano shares her excitement about the future of treatment for AML.

Why You Should Consider a Clinical Trial

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This podcast was originally published on The Bloodline With LLS on September 6, 2017, here.

 

Listen in as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) chat with John F. Gerecitano, MD, PhD, Clinical Director of Lymphoma Outpatient Services at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Margaret (Peg) McCormick, RN, BSN, MA, Consultant, Clinical Trials Support Center. Hear about the role clinical trials play in cancer treatment, who can participate in a clinical trial and how participants are protected, how LLS’s Clinical Trial Support Center assists patients in finding a trial that is right for them, and why it is important to think of clinical trials as a possible treatment option instead of a last resort.

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