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Rye Brook, NY Nov. 30, 2016 – A new national survey by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the world’s leading voluntary health non-profit dedicated to fighting blood cancers, finds that an overwhelming majority of Americans (90%) say they believe the true meaning of the holidays is to help others and 87% say they wish they could do more to help others in need. Eight in ten (82%) adults feel the spirit of the holidays has become lost in the commercialization.
The survey, Gifts That Matter Most, revealed more than two in three adults (68%) – and three in four women (74%) – say that holiday shopping is stressful. The nationwide survey of more than 1,000 adults conducted by Russell Research reveals that nearly two-thirds of adults (63%) often feel pressure to find the “perfect gift.”
However, there is a silver lining, as four-fifths (81%) of adults surveyed say the holidays put them in a giving spirit. The majority of adults (90%) prefer giving a gift that helps others rather than receiving one. Further, five in six adults (85%) believe donating to a charity has more of an impact than a material gift.
The survey found that five in six adults (84%) say charity donations are simple and time saving, while three in five adults (59%) say donating can take the stress out of holiday shopping.
“While it’s not surprising that the holidays are stressful for many, our aim in conducting this holiday survey is to remind the public that there are wonderful ways to enrich the holiday season by volunteering and supporting organizations like LLS, which helps patients all year long, including during the holiday season,” said Jennifer Wilson, LCSW, Senior Information Specialist, LLS’s Information Resource Center.
During the holidays, the amount of donations to charitable organizations increases and there is an upward trend in online and mobile giving, especially among tech-savvy millennials, according to Blackbaud, cloud software company that provides data and analytics about American giving trends. Last year, 44% of LLS’s annual online donations were received during December, while donations via a mobile device increased by 46%.
“Spending the holidays with family and friends is what makes this season so joyous, especially for those who face a cancer diagnosis,” said Wilson. “At LLS, we work to ensure patients have access to lifesaving treatments, so that they are able to celebrate the holidays with their loved ones.”
A holiday gift to LLS supports the 1.1 million people in the United States living with a blood cancer. In addition to LLS’s year-round efforts to raise funds for lifesaving research and patient support services, the elevated generosity during the holidays is helping create a world without blood cancers. This holiday season, people can donate to LLS in honor of a family member or friend at donate.lls.org or sign up to volunteer at lls.org/volunteer.
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted online for LLS by Russell Research from November 11-14, 2016 among 1,077 adults ages 18 and older. Respondents were 50 percent female, 50 percent male and representative by age, ethnicity and census region. At a 95 percent confidence level, a margin of error was +/- 3.0 percent.
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, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more or make a charitable donation, visit LLS.org.
LLS Contact:
Linda Heaney
(914) 821-8208