The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Illinois Chapter offers a wide range of free educational and support programs for patients, their families, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

See below for LLS-sponsored or LLS partner support groups in your area:

• Chicago Patient Support Groups
• Suburban and Rockford Patient Support Groups
• Central Illinois Patient Support Groups
• Spanish Speaking Patient Support Groups

For more information about those or any of the following programs, contact us at (312) 651-7353 or Patient_Services_ILC@lls.org.  

Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program

Those recently diagnosed with a blood cancer often find it helpful to speak with someone who has been through treatment and learned how to manage the same disease. The First Connection peer-to-peer program connects newly diagnosed patients and their families with trained volunteers who have experienced blood cancer firsthand and understand the process. Trained volunteer survivors offer caring support and information as they share their special perspective on the recovery process. Contact us at (312) 651-7353 for more information.

Online Chats 

Our weekly two-hour online chats provide a friendly forum to share experiences and offer support for people living with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic myeloid leukemia or myeloma, and for young adults living with blood cancer. Each chat is moderated by an oncology social worker and is password protected. For more information, see Online Chats.

The Trish Greene Back to School Program for Children with Cancer

Returning to school after cancer treatment can be a tough adjustment for young survivors. The Trish Greene Back to School Program for Children with Cancer helps children and youth cope with life after treatment and teaches parents, classmates, teachers and healthcare professionals how to deal with issues surrounding childhood cancer. Program videos and materials are available for students from preschool to high school. For more information, call us at (312) 651-7353.

Patient Financial Aid Program - Suspended Until July 1 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) expects to exhaust the entire FY13 $3 million budget for Patient Financial Aid (PFA) by April 30, 2013. As a result, PFA will be temporarily suspended from May 1, 2013-June 30, 2013. FY13 PFA applications will not be processed if they are received by an LLS chapter or National Office after April 30, 2013.

As of July 1, 2013, the PFA program will resume with new PFA forms for the 2013/2014 program period. New and renewing patients will need to complete this form to be eligible to receive assistance. As of July 1, 2013, the new forms will be available on the LLS website, www.lls.org, through the LLS Information Resource Center, (800-955-4572 or infocenter@lls.org) or by contacting LLS chapters. It will not be possible to apply for the FY2014 PFA program prior to July 1, 2013. LLS chapters are asked not to maintain "waiting lists."

Please continue to refer eligible patients to the LLS Co-Pay Assistance program. If patients meet the criteria for this program, they may receive:

• chronic myelogenous leukemia - assistance is available up to $500
• chronic lymphocytic leukemia - assistance is available up to $2,500
• Hodgkin & non-Hodgkin lymphoma - assistance is available up to $2,500
• myelodysplastic syndromes - assistance is available up to $5,000
• myeloma - assistance is available up to $10,000
• Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia - assistance is available up to $10,000

Support for the Co-Pay program is based on the availability of funds by disease diagnosis.

Health care providers and patients may register in the LLS Co-Pay Assistance program online portal and begin the application process. For more information, visit www.lls.org/copay or call 877-557-2672 to speak with an LLS Co-Pay Specialist. LLS is forecasting to disburse approximately $40 million of Co-Pay Assistance to patients in FY13.  

Honored Hero Program

Our Honored Heroes are volunteers who provide inspiration and support for LLS fundraising campaigns and events. Honored Heroes are symbols of strength for others. Anyone who is being treated for, or is a survivor of, leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma may apply. For more information, contact Amy Davieau, Volunteer Manager, at Amy.Davieau@lls.org.