The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) (Blood Cancers)
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"Up" is the number of experts who agree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in the
field. "Down" is the number of experts who disagree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in field.
Headquarters Location: White Plains, NY
Founded: 1949
Mission: The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
Tags:
leukemia, lymphoma, hodgkin's disease, myeloma, blood cancer, research, funding, information, support services, patient services, public policy, cancer
Summary
Stories
Expert Reviews
Leadership
From the Nonprofit
Leadership
John Walter.
President and CEO of LLS, John Walter, with over 30 years of work experience in for profit and not for profit organizations, is tasked with leading the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. Walter is stewarding LLS in its efforts to accomplish goals set forth in its strategic plan, including: developing a culture of superior volunteers and…
See full bio.
Financial Data
Overhead Ratio:
25.73%
Total Revenue:
$246,744,046
From the Nonprofit
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Contact Info
Address:
1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 310
White Plains, NY 10605, USA
Twitter:
Story:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) was born out of a family's grief following the death of their teenage son.
Robert Roesler de Villiers (left), son of a well-to-do New York family, was only 16 when he quickly succumbed to leukemia in 1944. Five years later, frustrated by the lack of effective treatments for what was then considered a hopeless disease, parents Rudolph and Antoinette de Villiers started a fundraising and education organization in their son's name.
Headquartered in a small Wall Street office, the Robert Roesler de Villiers Foundation had only a few volunteers and a tiny budget. The task was daunting. Most leukemia patients, especially children, died within three months. Even by the mid-1950s, when the first-generation chemotherapy drugs began appearing, the disease remained a stubborn challenge. The Foundation reported in its 1955 annual report: "As of this date, Leukemia is 100% fatal. This is almost a unique situation among the many diseases to which man is susceptible."
Driven by the de Villiers' nearly boundless belief that leukemia and other blood cancers were indeed curable, the Foundation grew steadily, opening its first chapters in the New York City area. The organization, after changing its name to The Leukemia Society, was renamed The Leukemia Society of America in the 1960s to communicate a broad, national reach.
Expert Reviews of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) (Blood Cancers)
Evidence of Impact Summary:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has improved the state of various blood cancers by increasing funds to conduct research and by providing education and financial services to patients.See expert comments.
Organization Strengths Summary:
This organization's leadership team, its way of dealing with and recruiting volunteers, and its effective marketing strategies are reasons why the group has been so effective, according to experts.See expert comments.
Areas for Improvement Summary:
Experts have noted that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society could improve by engaging in more collaborations, expanding more into the realm of policy, and hiring more staff.See expert comments.
Expert Comments: Evidence of Impact
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Number of Affiliate Sites |
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The number of affiliate sites they have across the country, their outreach initiatives with oncology professional organizations as well as outreach initiatives to medically underserved populations underway at a number of their affiliate sites. | ||
Focus on Young Scientists |
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LLS focuses on young scientists. | ||
Raising Awareness |
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It is vital to note the importance of researching treatments for Leukemia due to its effect on children. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is not only the most well known organization, but it raises the most awareness which is important in finding a way to treat children with this disease. | ||
Great Resource to Other Organizations |
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LLS has been consistently well organized and well respected in the different states I work with. They also provide free nursing and social work CEU's for all meetings we coordinate that have at least one speaker on blood cancers or bone marrow transplant. I have been both a volunteer for LLS as well as collaborated with them on state cancer comprehensive cancer control plans/networks, as well as participated with them in coalitions, as well as had their staff as volunteers for me when putting on multi-day, multi-track meetings for regions of the country. | ||
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LLS has consistently been a collaborator with my organizations across many states. I have been on their advisory board in OK and also use them for CEU credits for nurses and social workers at no cost to us in many states. There has been a great deal in turnover in the OKC office over the past year or so but I think it is for the better. I don't know the details but do know some of the personalities who have been moved along. | ||
Funding Research |
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LLS has broadened its mandate in recent years to include all blood cancers and has communicated and implemented this extension of mission effectively. It has real impact through its research funding process. | ||
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They have increased the quantity of clinical trials for pediatric cancers. | ||
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I know the LLS was the fusion of separate leukemia and lymphoma societies, and they make important funding contributions to research for these diseases. I think of them as similar to the ACS but only focused on "liquid" cancers. Overall good reputation, but my work is more on solid tumors, so I do not know much about operations. | ||
Good Patient Services |
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They help all blood cancer patients with financial assistance and education. | ||
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This organization is the result of the successful merger of two organizations a few years ago, a process that was accomplished remarkably well. They now are one of the primary sources of information and assistance for individuals with leukemia or lymphoma and a significant factor in influencing the “research agenda” for blood cancers. | ||
Expert Comments: Organization Strengths
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Great Leadership |
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LLS has a strong leadership that engages in active partnerships with a number of other cancer organizations. | ||
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Their leadership is outstanding, and the review process is a model for how to do this sort of thing. | ||
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This organization is very strong from both at finances and leadership perspective. | ||
Effective Marketing |
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This organization has very strong marketing skills and successfully helps to raise awareness about Leukemia as well as Lymphoma. The also have a very strong leadership force that helps to keep the organization at the forefront of Leukemia oriented foundations. | ||
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They have strong marketing. | ||
Good System of Volunteers |
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The staff has been excellent at collaboration as well as recruiting and keeping volunteers. The volunteers are appreciated and know that. | ||
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LLS has great strength in its volunteer scientists and community leaders. It also runs many participatory programs that engage volunteers. | ||
Low Administrative Costs |
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It gets a maximum amount of money into patients and researchers hands. They have low administrative costs. | ||
Expert Comments: Areas for Improvement
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Foundation Professionals (F)
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Researchers and Faculty (R)
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Nonprofit Senior Staff (N)
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Other (consultants, journalists, policy makers) (O)
Stronger Focus on Children |
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This non-profit could improve by doing some more hands on activities with children who suffer from Leukemia in addition to the national initiatives that exist. | ||
More Collaborative Efforts |
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More collaboration with other blood cancer groups at the program level would be beneficial to patients with blood cancers. | ||
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Collaborate with ACS. | ||
More Staff |
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They should spend a bit more to help local coordinators. They need more staff help as well. | ||
Greater Policy Role |
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With their depth and strength, this organization should get more actively involved in policy issues that affect blood cancer patients and affect the pace of new drug development and approval. They are not known for being willing to take a position on controversial issues, but they have the credibility to do so. | ||
Leadership
John Walter
President and CEO
President and CEO
From the Nonprofit
The nonprofit has not added any comments yet. If you are a representative of this nonprofit and would like to leave a comment, please email us at
feedback@myphilanthropedia.org
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