Gregory Seitter, Marketing Director, Megan Smith, Patient Access Manager, and Alyssa Brookstein, Campaign Specialist, discussed the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a volunteer driven organization focused on patient quality of life, advocacy and finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.   We discussed the incidence of blood cancer and what defines it, we discussed the symptoms and diagnosis of the diseases, and how genetics and race can affect it.   Megan spoke on the services of LLS for patients and how they offer referrals and information on research and treatment options.  Greg continued with information about their funding of projects, including over $21 million in local grants to Children’s Hospital of PA, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Penn Medicine-Abramson Cancer Center, Temple University and the Wistar Institute as well providing over 1.8 million in co-pay and financial assistance to local patients.  He spoke on the advocacy work of the Society, looking to curb hospital consolidations that drive prices up, crack down on delays of generic medications, to reduce wasteful spending on misdiagnosis and find relief for patients who are financially struggling with the new monthly spending cap in Medicare Part D.  Finally, we discussed the Big Climb, coming April 13th.  Teams and individuals will climb the Philadelphia’s FMC Tower at Cira Centre South, 1,088 steps and 47 floors, to raise funds for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.  This station and Beasley Media Group Philadelphia is part of Team Luke.

For more information visit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society online at lls.org.

To register or to donate to a team (Go Team Luke!) at the Big Climb go to bigclimbphilly.com