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

For more information about any of the following programs, call Francine Morrison, Patient Services Manager at (800) 726-2873 or (412) 395-2882.

Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program

If you've recently been diagnosed with a blood cancer, you may find it helpful to speak with someone who's been through treatment and learned how to manage the same disease. The Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program is a peer-to-peer program that links newly diagnosed patients and their families with trained volunteers who have experienced blood cancer firsthand and can understand your experience. Trained volunteer survivors offer caring support and information by sharing their special perspective on the recovery process. For more information, call us at (412) 395-2882

Local Family Support Groups

Open communication is critical for coping with the feelings that arise during illness. Family Support Groups feature sessions led by local healthcare professionals where you can share your concerns, fears, problems and experiences in a comfortable and caring setting.

The Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia Chapter offers several family support groups that meet on a monthly basis and are facilitated by health professionals.  Groups take place in Pittsburgh (Shadyside, South Hills), Erie, PA , Altoona, PA (short-term) and Wheeling, WV.  If you've been touched by cancer (patient, caregiver, friend), you are welcome to join us.  For more information, call us at (412) 395-2882.  

Online Support Groups

Our online support groups offer weekly sessions where you can share and receive support from the comfort of your home. Each session is an hour and a half and moderated by a trained professional. All sessions are password protected and provided in partnership with the Cancer Support Community. For more information, see Online Support Groups.

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 or chronic myeloid leukemia and for young adults (aged 18-39) living with blood cancer. Each chat is moderated by an oncology social worker. 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 the issues surrounding childhood cancer. Program videos and materials are available for students from preschool to high school. For more information, call us at (412) 395-2882.

Patient Financial Aid Program

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) provides a limited amount of financial assistance to help patients with significant financial need and who are under a doctor's care for a confirmed blood cancer diagnosis.  Reimbursement is processed through the local chapter, and payents are issued directly to you.  The program begins each July 1 and is supported entirely by public contributions. 

Due to depletion of funds, applications from May 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013 are no longer being accepted.  The program will resume as of July 1, 2013.  Please check this page after July 1, 2013 for more information about the program, including an application.

For more information about the Patient Financial Aid program, please contact 412-395-2882 or 1-800-726-2873.  Patients who participate in the Patient Financial Aid program may also be eligible for the Co-Pay Assistance Program.

Dealing with cancer is hard enough without having to worry about the financial burden. The Co-Pay Assistance Program helps you pay your insurance premiums and meet co-pay obligations. We'll also help you find additional sources of financial help. For more information, see Co-Pay Assistance.

Honored Hero Program

Our honored heroes provide inspiration and support for the LLS fundraising programs and are symbols of strength for others dealing with challenges in their lives. An honored hero is anyone who is being treated for, or is a survivor of, leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. 

You can participate on several levels, including sharing your story, creating artwork, writing letters or attending fundraising events. For more information, call us at (412) 395-2882.