The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Minnesota Chapter is to:

• Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma.
• Improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
• Provide research funds to support programs designed to speed the rate at which investigation is transformed into knowledge, and knowledge into cures. 
• Provide services and programs, including financial assistance, to those who have blood cancer and their families.
• Educate the general public about blood cancer.

Contact Information

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Minnesota Chapter
8441 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 340
Golden Valley, MN 55426

About Leukemia and Lymphoma  

Leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma are cancers of the bone marrow and blood. Leukemia occurs in acute and chronic forms, with acute leukemia more common in children and the chronic form of the disease more likely to appear in middle-age. Lymphoma and myeloma are cancers related to leukemia because they involve the uncontrolled growth of similar cells.

Facts and Figures

• Every five minutes someone in the United States learns that he or she has leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, or myeloma -more than 300 people a day.
• An estimated 2,200 Minnesotans will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, or myeloma this year.
• An estimated 109,500 Americans will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma this year. 
• An estimated 640,000 Americans are currently living with leukemia, lymphoma,      Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma.
• The overall five-year survival rate has tripled in the past 40 years for patients with leukemia. In 1960, the overall five-year survival rate was 14 percent, by the 1970s it had reached 35 percent, and now the overall five-year survival rate is 44 percent.
• Every nine minutes, another child or adult will die from leukemia or a related cancer.
• Leukemia is the number one disease killer in children, yet it affects 10 times as many adults.
• There is great cause for hope because there is now an 81 percent survival rate for children and 56 percent for adults with leukemia. 
• For Hodgkin's disease the survival rate is 82 percent for adults and 92 percent for children.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of leukemia may include:
  o Anemia
  o Weakness
  o Chronic fatigue
  o High fever
  o Bleeding without clotting
  o Bruising easily
  o Recurrent infection
  o Pain in joints and bones
  o Swelling of lymph nodes, spleen, or liver 
• Symptoms of lymphoma may include:
  o Painless swelling of lymph nodes
  o Fever
  o Night sweats
  o Tiredness
  o Weight loss
  o Itchy skin

Resources for Individuals and Caretakers

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Minnesota Chapter offers a wide variety of resources for persons with Leukemia and Lymphoma   and their caretakers. Those resources include: 

Employee/Individuals Resources

• Educational conferences for survivors and their families.
• Links to web-based education programs such as the Lymphoma Educational Network (a live educational program with Q&A on latest treatments and research).
• First Connection peer-to-peer support program.
• Trish Green Back to School Program for a child with cancer.
• Patient Aid: A program that provides financial assistance to patients with a blood related cancer diagnosis.
• Educational materials including brochures, books, videos, and audio tapes. 
• Legislative advocacy.

Caregiver Resources

• Family support group meetings.
• Educational conferences for survivors and their families.

 Resources for Employers and Communities 
 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Minnesota Chapter offers the following resources for employers and the community at large:

Employer Resources

• Presentation: Signs and Symptoms of Leukemia 
• Health fair participation.

Community Resources

• Presentations for school settings.
• Legislative advocacy.