Our Story

In the 1950s, five women around a kitchen table decided to make a difference and started raising money for leukemia research, founding what is now known as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
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Our mission

We won’t stop until there is a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms and are able to improve the quality of life of people affected by blood cancers and their families by funding life-enhancing research and providing educational resources, services and support.

What we do

In Canada, there are currently 155,593 people living with or in remission from one of the 137 types of blood cancers. Our story may have started out of a concern for leukemia research, but today, we are the largest registered charitable health agency dedicated to supporting the blood cancer community in Canada. Our focus has grown and now includes:

  • Funding research from bench to bedside

  • Rethinking how a person navigates their blood cancer experience

  • Providing targeted blood cancer information

  • Offering tools for psychological and emotional support

  • Empowering Canadians to take charge of their blood cancer experience through practical support and advocacy

What we have accomplished together

Everyday since 1955, we have been inching our way closer to finding cures for all 137 types of blood cancers. With your generosity and support, we will get there sooner rather than later.

How we do it

Everything we do is made possible through the generosity of individuals, corporate partners, and foundations. In the last two decades alone, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada has raised $207 million for research and services. We receive no government support.

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Who we serve

Our staff and volunteers are spread across the country to ensure our programs and services reach individuals and families in urban cities and rural communities alike. Many of our programs have been adapted for remote access so that distance is never an issue for critical resources or our support services. Our services and programs are specially developed and customized for the following groups:

  • Individuals with a blood cancer diagnosis including children, teens, young and older adults

  • Caregivers of a person with a blood cancer

  • Survivors of a blood cancer

  • Families and friends grieving the loss of a loved one to a blood cancer

  • Teachers and school administrators concerned about students touched by a blood cancer

  • Healthcare professionals, such as, oncology nurses, social workers and pharmacists

  • Researchers interested in the areas of hematology and blood cancers

How we are organized

Join us

Let’s make a difference together. Join our team of incredibly passionate individuals who are working in offices or from home in communities all over Canada.