Hurricane Harvey Disaster - Grant for Blood Cancer Patients

Patient Access Manager, Dawn Guerrero, speaks about recent events in Texas.

The past two weeks have been especially tough for Texans. Hurricane Harvey has left many of our neighbors without a home or unable to return home.  I’ve seen reports of families stuck on the second floor of their homes, or those that have lost their normal transportation because of flooding.  When we add the pain and trauma of battling blood cancer, I can only imagine the stresses of trying to get to a doctor’s appointment or losing that life supporting medicine.  I’m proud to let you know that LLS is here for you.  This announcement was released today:

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) joins the nation and the world in concern for those affected by the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey, and we extend our condolences to the families of those lost in this natural disaster. We recognize that many of the individuals and families impacted in Texas and Louisiana are blood cancer patients and their families, and that many have been displaced from their homes, are unable to reach their physician or treatment center, or have lost their medications due to the flooding.

In response to the Hurricane Harvey disaster, LLS, as a patients first organization, is committing up to $1 million to provide direct support to blood cancer patients in impacted communities to help with travel to treatment centers and doctor appointments, to replace medications lost due to storm damage, and other needs directly related to the hurricane.  Eligible blood cancer patients who live in declared disaster areas will receive $500. Patients must be in active treatment, scheduled to begin treatment or are being monitored by their doctor.

If you are or know someone that was affected, please visit this site to see if you qualify for this new grant:  http://www.lls.org/hurricane-harvey-relief

The application process is online and is now active.  Additionally, please encourage patients and families to call our Blood Cancer Information Specialists at 800-955-4572 for information and support.

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Dawn Guerrero is the Patient Access Manager of the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and author of this monthly blog series.  She has a Masters in Business Administration and has experience working with varied aspects of the healthcare industry. 

Contact Dawn:

Dawn.Guerrero@lls.org 
972-996-5905

Travel Assistance Program: Re-Opening Today!

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's  (LLS) Susan Lang Pay-it-Forward Patient Travel Assistance program will reopen on Monday, September 19, 2016 at 12PM EST. 

LLS recently received funding specifically for pediatric patients defined as “children and adolescents 19 years of age or below at the time of application”.  The pediatric fund is limited and is expected to fill quickly.  Once these allotments are filled, patients may apply to the general fund for assistance.  

Qualifying patients can only receive travel assistance once per fiscal year.

Available Funding

General Fund – provides assistance for patients with all blood cancers

Pediatric Fund (limited) –provides assistance for children and adolescents (19 years of age or below at time of application) with all blood cancers.

Patient Eligibility

Patient eligibility criteria for travel assistance:

·         Applicants (patients) must be US citizens or permanent residents which is verified by applicant’s physical address; and

·         Applicants must have a confirmed diagnosis of blood cancer; and

·         Applicants may be insured or uninsured; and

·         Applicants must meet financial eligibility criteria defined as an annual income at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)  

A one-time grant of $500 is available for qualified patients per year:

·         Awards are limited to one per patient, per year; and

·         Awards are based upon a first-come first-serve basis; and

·         The program will be offered for as long as funding is available; and

·         Award is distributed via the Susan Lang Pay-it-Forward patient travel assistance credit card

Approved Travel Expenses: ground transportation, tolls, gas, parking, car rental, air transportation, lodging, and ambulance services.

Expenses NOT Covered: food, drinks and alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, automotive parts/supplies and repair, auto dealers, travel agencies, baggage fees, and international travel.

How to Apply

Patients can apply via the online portal at www.lls.org/travel or by calling ourtoll free number: 844-565-2269. 

Susan Lang Pay-it-Forward Patient Travel Assistance

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is proud to introduce the Susan Lang Pay-it-Forward Patient Travel Assistance program.  Blood cancer patients who qualify for this program will receive a credit card for their treatment-related travel expenses in an effort to help eliminate out of pocket expenses.

Patient eligibility requirements:

• Applicants (patients) must be US citizens or permanent residents which is verified by applicant's physical address; and
• Applicants must have a confirmed diagnosis of blood cancer; and
• Applicants may be insured or uninsured; and
• Applicants must meet financial eligibility criteria defined as an annual income at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

A one-time grant of $500 is available for qualified patients per year:

• Awards are limited to one per patient, per year; and
• Awards are based upon first-come first-serve basis; and
• The program will be offered for as long as funding is available

Patients who qualify can learn more about the program and APPLY HERE.

About Susan Lang:

At a young age, Susan Lang was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).  At a difficult time in Susan’s journey, the seemingly impossible happened. Her family received much needed financial assistance from friends, neighbors and even people she did not know. Unfortunately, Susan died at the age of 14. Since her passing, Susan’s family committed to “paying it forward,” and has supported LLS in their New Jersey community, to help other patients and families dealing with blood cancers. Now, through an act of great generosity, Susan’s family has made it possible to provide assistance to more patients through the LLS Patient Travel Assistance Program.

Celebrating Fathers: Jason Baganz

"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it."

- Clarence Budington Kelland

The North Texas Chapter is fortunate to have the support of a number of fathers who have a personal connection to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) mission and share our drive to create a world without blood cancers.  Today we are pleased to introduce to you Jason Baganz.  He works relentlessly on behalf of LLS through our Light The Night Walk.  Read why below. 

What is your connection to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and its mission?

My connection to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is through my wife, Ashley.  She was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in July of 2007.  She has battled this disease ever since.  She has had three bone marrow transplants and is currently doing chemotherapy every month.

I am involved with a charity called Black Dog Shoot Out that contributes money to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  We believe that LLS does wonderful work and strives to find cures for blood cancers and all cancers.

Why did you choose Light The Night as a way to fundraise for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?

We chose Light The Night originally because a friend was involved as a campaign manager and we continue to support the event because of the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

How has The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helped you throughout your family's journey with blood cancer?

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helped our family monetarily and has given us tremendous support.

What advice would you give to another family with a loved one that's been diagnosed?

Some advice I would give to another family would be to never give up and always be strong and loving.

What's up next for your family?

The main thing is to get Ashley well.  (Read about Ashley's personal battle with blood cancer in her own words here.) We are raising twin two-year-old boys and it's a full time job!  We look forward to the day when a cure to blood cancers will be found.

Mission Monday: Patient Financial Aid

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)  offers a number of services free of charge for blood cancer patients, their families and caregivers.  Today the focus is on the different patient financial aid programs LLS offers patients.

A limited amount of financial assistance is available to help patients with significant financial need and who are under a doctor's care for a confirmed blood cancer diagnosis. This program is supported entirely by public contributions and patient aid funds are subject to availability.

To find out if you are eligible for the LLS Co-Pay Assistance Program, you will need to contact LLS.  For eligible patients, the Co-Pay Assistance Program may offer a larger amount of financial support for select diseases toward the cost of insurance co-payments and/or insurance premium costs for prescription drugs. Please visit the Co-pay Assistance Program for more information or to apply.

The Patient Financial Aid Program provides $100 a year to help patients offset expenses. Receipts for expenses are not required. To apply, you must be a US resident or US military personnel stationed abroad and in active treatment or ongoing medical follow-up care for a blood cancer. Your prescribing healthcare provider must complete and sign the bottom portion of the application form.  The program begins each July 1st and ends on the following June 30th. You must reapply every year after June 30th in order to receive assistance.

How to Apply:

Contact the North Texas Chapter at (972) 996-5900 to request an application
or Print, complete and return the online application: (color or black and white) to your chapter.

For more information about the Patient Financial Aid program, contact the North Texas Chapter.

For information and an application in Spanish, click here.