In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), a global leader in the fight against cancer, along with valued partners, announced their commitment to help as many blood cancer patients as possible during this unprecedented crisis. The LLS COVID-19 Patient Financial Aid Program will begin immediately to provide $250 to eligible patients struggling with the economic hardship presented by the pandemic.

Joining LLS in this critical initiative, one of the first to meet the urgent needs of blood cancer patients during this crisis, are leading healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and consumer product companies – Amgen, Inc., Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, Foundation Medicine, Inc., Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Incyte, MorphoSys Foundation, Servier Pharmaceuticals, Subaru of America, Inc., and Takeda Oncology.

Cancer patients who are immunocompromised face unique risks during this pandemic, in addition to the everyday stressors in managing their disease and accessing the care they need. The COVID-19 crisis adds a layer of distress for those patients who might experience financial hardship caused by the economic impact of the pandemic.

“That’s where The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society comes in,” says Louis J. DeGennaro, Ph.D., LLS president and CEO. “Cancer doesn’t stop because of COVID-19, and cancer patients can’t wait for our help.  Along with our partners we anticipated that blood cancer patients would need help with non-medical expenses such as food and other household needs, and housing and transportation, and we aim to raise up to $10 million to help even more patients during this crisis,” added DeGennaro.”

Blood cancer patients and caregivers can visit this page to access the application form for the LLS COVID-19 Patient Financial Aid Program.  Additionally, LLS is providing free educational resources and support to patients through a series of blogs, webinars and chats led by medical professionals.

Anyone can help patients during this stressful time by visiting LLS.org and donating to LLS, to support cutting-edge research and patient services for blood cancer patients in their time of need. All donations contribute to LLS’s quest to find cures for blood cancers and to ensure patients have access to the care they need. LLS is grateful for the commitment of its partners in helping blood cancer patients and their families. The previous support of LLS partners like Burlington Stores, Walgreens and The Wawa Foundation has been instrumental to LLS’s mission and programs.

This new program is one of many services provided by LLS for patients, including the LLS Co-Pay Assistance Program, Patient Aid, Susan Lang Pay-It-Forward Patient Travel Assistance Program and Urgent Need Program. As well, LLS offers free clinical trial navigation guidance through LLS’s Clinical Trial Service Center, and its Information Resource Center provides patients and families one-on-one support with a Blood Cancer Information Specialist at 800-955-4572.