Lymphoma Research Foundation

Nation's largest lymphoma organization devoted to funding innovative research and providing up-to-date information and services to people with lymphoma. Our mission: eradicate lymphoma and serve those touched by this disease.

Why do we exist?

Lymphoma is the most common form of blood cancer and the third most common form of cancer in children.  The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation’s largest non-profit lymphoma organization devoted to funding innovative research and providing up-to-date information and services to people with lymphoma.   Our mission is to eradicate lymphoma and serve those touched by this disease.

What have you accomplished?

To date, LRF has funded over $47.5 million of innovative lymphoma research and launched a series of annual scientific meetings, which bring together lymphoma scientists and clinicians from around the world in an effort to quicken the pace of advancements in the treatment of the disease.

Our patient programs and services include:

• Lymphoma Helpline
• Clinical Trials Information Service
• Lymphoma Support Network (matches newly-diagnosed patients with someone with the same diagnosis)
• Educational Conferences and Symposiums held throughout the country
• Patient Aid Grant Program
• Free Publications
• Webcasts, Podcasts, and Teleconferences
• Public Policy and Advocacy

Here is the story of one of the thousands of people who has been helped by the Lymphoma Research Foundation:

On 09-09-09 or as she sometimes refers to it, "nine to the third power day", Paula was told she had cancer.  Not just "any" cancer either.  "The kind you don’t want" kind of cancer, as Eric, her fiancé at the time would say to people who quietly asked.  She remembers asking herself when first hearing him say this, is there a kind of cancer you do want?"  Nonetheless, her "kind" was of the non-Hodgkin lymphoma variety, specifically, Mantle Cell Lymphoma. It's one of the rarer blood cell subtypes and a Google search at the time revealed a not so great prognosis and limited treatment options.  
 
When she was admitted to the hospital a few days later, Paula didn’t have time to blink or think before her first regimen of chemotherapy was being administered and by December 2009, test results came back negative--no more evidence of cancer in the bone marrow. Paula was ecstatic and so full of HOPE that this outcome would continue for a very long time!  In March of 2010, Paula underwent a Stem Cell Transplant and additional tests in March 2011 proved her to be in complete remission!   Acceptance of her disease has helped lessen Paula’s anxiety and makes for better days filled with serenity and peace of mind. The 'Serenity Prayer' has now become part of her everyday thought process because she now accepts those things which "I cannot change."
 
Paula is now happy when she, through LRF’s Lymphoma Support Network, can be of help to others who may be just starting their journey or learning that they will need a Stem Cell Transplant.   She believes that “if sharing my experiences helps ease the anxiety of newly diagnosed lymphoma fighters or someone waiting to have a Stem Cell Transplant, it is a privilege to do so.”  Paula has also joined LRF's Chicago Chapter as a volunteer, and is also a member of the LRF Advocacy Program.   Just recently, she made her first legislative visit in this new role to discuss lymphoma awareness and federal funding for lymphoma research with her U.S. Senator.   She also attended the Chicago Workshop this past May, one of LRF’s many educational programs geared to providing patients and caregivers up-to-date information about this disease.

Through her entire experience with lymphoma, one thing remains constant:  Paula always has HOPE!   Hope for herself, the newly-diagnosed, the fighters and the survivors!   Hope for the future and for cures!

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