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LLS Founders
You may say we are dreamers...

In 1949, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) was founded on a dream, by parents who’d lost a son to acute lymphoblastic leukemia and sought to spare others their pain.

Since then, LLS has never stopped dreaming. Our bold achievements continue to push boundaries as we seek cutting edge treatments and cures and work to improve quality of life for patients and their families. Our progress has been nothing short of astonishing. 2022 was no exception.

With your help, we are creating a world where cancer patients not only survive their blood cancer but thrive in their lives after treatment.

Dr. Louis J. DeGennaro

The evolution of new blood cancer therapies has been breathtaking—spanning the gamut from genetargeted therapies to cell-based immunotherapies— and providing remarkable benefit to patients.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the largest nonprofit funder of blood cancer research, having invested more than $1.6 billion since our founding. In the last six years alone, we have helped advance more than 70% of the 110 (!) blood cancer treatment options approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

But LLS does more than fund pioneering research. We’re here to support patients and families through every part of their blood cancer experience—from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. We provide the reassurance, free personalized information and financial assistance they need. And we advocate for policies that break down barriers to care, so it’s more accessible and affordable for those in underserved communities.

At LLS, we envision a world without blood cancer. We work toward that dream every day and have made bold progress in our mission to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of life for patients and their families. I am exceptionally proud of what we’ve accomplished together and excited about all that’s on the horizon.

Louis J. DeGennaro

Louis J. DeGennaro, Ph.D. | President and Chief Executive Officer

In 2004, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and given a 40% chance to live. I was one of the lucky survivors—thanks to pioneering scientists who created medicine that cured me. Once in remission, I resolved to do whatever I could to help blood cancer patients and to accelerate the development of new treatments so that more patients could survive these terrible blood cancers.

Jeff Sachs

I searched for a nonprofit to support and found in LLS an organization that not only deploys its donations responsibly and effectively in service of patients but is transforming blood cancer treatment and care.

I’ve been fundraising and volunteering for LLS ever since—first as a member of the Georgia board, then as part of LLS’s national board, and now proudly as National Board Chair. I believe there’s no better use of our time and talents than helping others.

Your support has lifesaving and life-changing power. Through your generosity of heart and spirit, you are helping LLS ensure a future of expanded hope for all blood cancer patients and those who love and care for them.

I am grateful for you and the sacrifices you make to help others. Thank you.

Jeff Sachs

Jeff Sachs | Chair of the Board

LLS is driving BOLD progress for patients

Download a PDF of our full Annual Report below to read more about our lifesaving efforts this year.

AT LLS, WE BELIEVE...

GIVING IS PERSONAL.

Contributions don’t come from the wallet—they come from the heart. We respect how deeply our donors feel about what we do and why we do it.

GIVING IS COMMUNITY.

A shared passion for change unites us. No matter where we live or who we are, we are together as one for a common cause.

GIVING IS GOOD.

Our donors believe in sharing their resources willingly for the good of all, not just themselves.

GIVING IS HONEST.

We are always open about how, why, where, and when we use your contributions.

GIVING IS IMPACT.

We strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us and for those we may never meet.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING.

Your generosity makes our work possible, and we promise to uphold your trust in us.

See Our Incredible Supporters

Our Previous Annual Reports

The complete audited financial statements are contained in the annual reports below.

2021

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2020

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2019

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2018

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2017

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2016

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2015

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2014

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2013

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2012

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2011

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2010

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2009

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2008

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2007

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2006

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2005

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2004

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2003

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2002

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2001

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2000

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