Marisa is
Blood Cancer United

Throughout my father’s journey, I was impressed by his care team, the advanced medicine used to treat blood cancer today, the individuals I met, people’s generosity, and the organizations I was introduced to. This journey opened my eyes to various organizations such as Be the Match and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

Volunteering with LLS has provided me with a community that has led me to have powerful conversations with others also impacted by blood cancer. And although I do appreciate the comfort I bring to other people’s lives, what I find most rewarding is how my work inspires others.

Every three minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with blood cancer, and more than 1.3 million Americans are living with or in remission from blood cancer. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research, provides support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, and coordinated care.

LLS has many resources that are valuable to both patients and their loved ones. Although all of them are absolutely amazing, my favorite support resource is the patient community. I’ve learned firsthand how gravely important it is to have a support network for both the patient and their loved ones. Blood cancer is vastly different and extremely unpredictable in comparison to other cancers, and for those reasons, plugging into a support network is a key component for everyone’s mental health.