Bold Statement from Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada Highlights the Pivotal Role of Blood Cancer Research in Advancing Breathroughs for Other Cancers and Diseases

TORONTO,  /CNW/ - This month, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) introduces- its Beating Cancer Is In Our Blood campaign- in a move to bring both the organization and blood cancers out of obscurity to mark Blood Cancer Awareness Month.

"Few people know that many of today's fundamental treatments for various cancers, like chemotherapy, began with blood cancer research," explains Alicia Talarico, LLSC president. "Fewer still know that our organization has been funding research since our inception in 1955." It is this collective history that literally substantiates "Beating Cancer Is In Our Blood".

Many lifesaving discoveries can be attributed to blood cancers. From the early development of chemotherapy and uncovering the inner workings of the immune response through to the discovery of cancer stem cells, blood cancer research has led the way to breakthroughs in other cancers and areas of medicine. Most recently, in 2017, CAR T-cell immunotherapy was developed and approved for use in blood cancer patients and is now being studied across multiple tumour types in 500 open trials.

Scientists studying blood cancers have a unique advantage to make groundbreaking discoveries. Cancer cells found in the blood are more accessible than those in solid tumours. In essence, it is easier to study cancer-causing molecules, measure the effects of new therapies and make pivotal discoveries that are applicable to other diseases.

Throughout the month of September, LLSC is letting Canadians know that when they support blood cancer research, they are doubling their impact with donations matched, up to $100,000, by iA Financial Group. Donate at llscanada.org.

There are 137 types of blood cancers and associated disorders that affect over 138,000 Canadians today. In 2018, LLSC awarded $3.7 million in grants to world-class researchers in Canada. Researchers are encouraged to apply for the 2019 Research Grants competition now until October 26, 2018. Learn more at llscanada.org.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Canada
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada is the single largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancers in Canada. LLSC funds life-saving blood cancer research across the country, and provides free information and support services to patients and caregivers. Our mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. To find out more visit llscanada.org.

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada