-The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society launches national education campaign during Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September -

White Plains, NY (Press Release) - Less than one half (46%) of adults polled in a new survey believe that blood cancers are one of three leading causes of cancer death in the U.S. In fact, blood cancers are the third leading cause of cancer death, behind cancers of the res­pira­tory system, in­­clud­ing lung cancer, and cancers of the digestive system, in­­clud­ing colorectal cancer.¹ The survey of 1,000 U.S. adults was commissioned by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to finding cures and providing access to treat­ments for blood cancer patients.

This study reveals an alarming lack of knowledge among adults of all ages across the country about blood cancers, in­­clud­ing forms of leukemia, lym­phoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers. Four in five adults (82%) were surprised to learn that more than 1 million U.S. adults are cur­rently living with a blood cancer. Further, nearly nine in 10 adults (87%) were surprised to learn that about every four minutes one person in the US is diag­nosed with a blood cancer; and nearly nine in 10 (86%) polled were surprised to learn that approx­i­mately every 10 minutes someone in the U.S. dies from a blood cancer.

"We conducted this survey to create awareness about blood cancers, and to drive home the need to focus on cures and access to ther­a­pies for blood cancer patients," states John Walter, LLS CEO & pres­i­dent. "As there are no means of preventing or early detection for most blood cancers, we must focus on cures.  Blood Cancer Awareness Month is the right plat­form to create a sense of urgency about the need to con­tinue investing in lifesaving treat­ments and cures."

Investing in Cures

Over about 60 years, LLS has invested almost $1 billion in research to ad­vance ther­a­pies and save lives, yet three in four adults (76%) were surprised to learn that LLS research grants have helped ad­vance many of the most promising ad­vances in cancer ther­a­pies, in­­clud­ing targeted ther­a­pies and immuno­therapies.  

Further, about three-quarters of adults polled (76%) believe it's up to the gov­ern­ment, private industry and drug com­pa­nies to fund cures for cancers, in­­clud­ing blood cancers.  As well, nearly nine in 10 adults (86%) were surprised to learn that promising treat­ments for some chronic diseases, in­­clud­ing rheumatoid arthritis, were initially tested and FDA-approved as treat­ments for blood cancers.

"LLS is changing the paradigm of philanthropy, driving research in areas of unmet medical need, and helping to bridge the gap between academic discovery and drug devel­op­ment," states Walter.  "We do that by creating part­ner­ships with universities and bio­technology and pharma­ceu­tical com­pa­nies to provide funding across the con­tin­uum from basic research through clin­i­cal trials."

Access to Treatments

"Therapies that don't make it to patients can't help them," states Mark Velleca, M.D., Ph.D., LLS chief policy and advocacy officer. "A key LLS priority is ensuring access to quality, affordable, coordinated care for blood cancer patients." LLS recently announced it has raised more than $200 million in funding for its Co-Pay Assistance Program, since its inception in 2007.  To date, LLS has helped approx­i­mately 36,000 patients through the co-pay pro­gram.

"With the looming implementation of the Affordable Care Act, LLS is uniquely positioned to be the voice for blood cancer patients, by providing education and guidance to patients as they navigate the new state exchanges.  LLS has a strong presence in Washington, D.C., advocating for patients directly with national and state policy makers," explains Velleca.

Additional Survey Findings Include:

• Sixty-three percent (63%) polled think breast cancer is among the top three causes of cancer deaths, 27% think it's the number one cancer killer.  In fact, respiratory system cancers are the leading cancer killer, followed by digestive system cancers, then blood cancers, with breast cancer being the fourth leading cancer killer. ²
• Nearly all Americans (97%) polled agree it's important for all blood cancer patients to have access to potentially life-saving treatments.
• Almost three in 10 adults who are aware of LLS (29%) associated the organization with funding research.  More than one-fifth of those adults aware of LLS (22%) associated the organization with providing help/information, specifically to people diagnosed with blood cancers, including leukemia and/or lymphoma.  

"Despite progress, more than a third of blood cancer patients still do not survive five years after their diag­nosis, so more funding is needed to ad­vance research, ensure access to treat­ments and help save more lives," Walter says. "I'm gratified that nearly all adults polled agree it's just as important to fund cures for blood cancers as it is for other types of cancers.  LLS is leading the way in funding research to ad­vance breakthrough ther­a­pies and ensure access to treat­ments for all blood cancer patients.  LLS is saving lives not someday, but today."

Study Methodology

The survey was conducted online for LLS by Russell Research from July 26 - 31, 2013 among 1,007 adults ages 18 and older. The margin of error was +/- 3.1 per­cent­age points.

Learn more about the LLS mission, get involved with one of our fundraising campaigns or donate to LLS directly.  Visit www.LLS.org and Facts 2013, published by LLS at www.lls.org/resourcecenter to learn more.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lym­phoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and im­prove the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free in­for­ma­tion and sup­port services.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org.  Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday,9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

¹ American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2013.
² American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2013.

Source: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.