Mission Committee: Call to Action

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is calling for volunteers to join us as we launch the

Mission Task Force

a collective group of volunteers, who through a series of actions and tasks, will help create awareness and carry out the mission of LLS. 

Come to the first informational meeting to find out more.

Read below for a snapshot of some of the things you can get involved with. 

WHEN:
Tuesday, November 11th

WHERE:
LLS Office
8111 LBJ Fwy., Ste 425 Dallas, TX

TIME:

6:30 p.m.

Light snacks will be served.

RSVP:
 Campbell Weber
 Volunteer Development Associate
 Campbell.Weber@lls.org
(972) 996-5914 
 

Blood Cancer Awareness Month
This committee is responsible for building a number of events around LLS Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September.  The focus is to raise awareness of LLS and its mission through a number of different channels.  Requesting and receiving proclamations from North Texas mayors and city councils is the priority.  The goal is to have an Honored Hero or a volunteer with a mission connection speak at different city council meetings - when receiving the proclamation in person.  Additional activities include, but are not limited to, lining up third party events to benefit LLS, creating partnerships in the community to place LLS materials in stores and restaurants, the sale of paper LLS icons at point of purchase, etc.

Public Outreach
This committee is responsible for brainstorming and implementing opportunities for Public Outreach. This can include expo tables at North Texas health fairs and exhibits and staffing it with volunteers who are comfortable speaking about LLS, and its programs and services in North Texas.  The group should identify ways to create a dynamic display that will catch people’s attention.  In addition, this group should secure honored heroes to speak at the following events: School & Youth assemblies, Light The Night kick-offs and launch parties, third party events, Team In Training kickoffs, inspiration lunches and trainings.  This group would also seek out speaking opportunities to include Rotary Clubs, Chamber events, Business Associations, Community Forums, etc.

LLS Mission Exhibits
This committee is responsible for designing, creating and staffing a dynamic and interactive  exhibit (or booth, depending on event) at every LLS-run event.  Volunteers must be adept at speaking about LLS, what’s happening in North Texas and ways to get involved.  The goal is to create a space that is a destination for the public to find out how they can get more involved with the North Texas Chapter.  There are approximately 16 LLS events a year including but not limited to the Light the Night Walks, Big D Climb, Blood Cancer Conference, St. Valentines Day Luncheon, and TNT Kickoffs, that will need to be staffed.

Lone Star Blood Cancer Conference
This committee is responsible for helping to plan, man and execute the volunteer component of the Lone Star Blood Cancer Conference in late February.  This group works with the North Texas Patient Access Manager to recruit survivors for panel discussions, reach out to the North Texas patient database and encourage them to attend, help promote and assist in the execution on the day of.  This group also helps to promote the event through grassroots marketing efforts, social media, etc.

Patient Outreach
This committee is responsible for reaching out to blood cancer patients who have contacted the North Texas office, in an effort to keep them engaged.  This group will also recruit, train and serve as First Connection volunteers, plan and execute Remembrance Ceremonies at the Light The Night Walks, and steward and cultivate honored heroes before and after their engagement opportunities. 

Thankful Thursday: Honored Heroes

The North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is privileged to have so many amazing Honored Heroes.  They are selfless in sharing of their personal stories about their blood cancer battle, their time in helping raise awareness of LLS, and in participating in LLS-run events.  

Zach Rigby (above) is a past Honored Hero of both the Saint Valentine's Day Luncheon & Fashion Show and the Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament.  He was diagnosed with adult Hodgkin's Lymphoma on his 16th birthday.  He is now a senior at the University of Texas and a member of the Silver Spur organization.  He recently worked with Make A Wish Foundation on behalf of Marissa.  She has terminal kidney cancer and it was her wish to go on the field at a UT game with Bevo.  Zach was able to help maker her wish come true at a recent game.

Zach is a shining example of how so many of our Honored Heroes give back after remission.  We are thankful for each and every one of them.

Freebie Friday: Meet Melissa Garner

My name is Melissa Garner, and I am the Patient Advocate Manager with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

A grant from Baylor University Medical Center funds my unique position.  I work with patients and families, providing them with information about LLS and patient services, in addition to providing education and support groups.  I am on-site at Baylor to assist with any issues a blood cancer patient, or family member, may have.

What amazes me the most about this job, and what I feel is the most rewarding aspect of it, is being able to listen to people’s stories.  I am always amazed at the strength, resilience, faith, and hope that I see each week. 

While confronting what is often the scariest event in their lives (a blood cancer diagnosis usually followed by chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant), people more often than not show just how strong they truly are.

Of course, this doesn’t mean there isn’t a great deal of pain and vulnerability that goes along with it.  It just means that people find a place within themselves to connect to faith and hope too.

This is also very true for the caregivers as well.  Just today I talked to a caregiver who said, “My husband (the patient) has always been the strong one, not me.  I never was, until now. “

She is balancing a home life, young children, and being there for her husband at the hospital.  She has been here with him since April, and this is his second go at a stem cell transplant.  She shared with me how scared she felt, but at the same time, she knew she was surrounded by a strong faith and a support system of friends.  All of this gave her strength.

I get the honor and privilege of listening to people share stories like this all the time.  I feel their stories are such gifts to anyone who hears them.  I am better for hearing them. 

I also really want people to know that we at LLS are there for them throughout their blood cancer journey.  I typically will end my visit with them saying something like this:

"Please know that LLS is in your corner and that we are here for you.   Even if it’s a year from now or sometime down the road, please know that you can always call me and we will be there for you.  Even if it’s something we can’t answer for you directly, please know we will help you find out who you can talk to.  Just know we are here for you." 

When I say this, I see their faces brighten and a real sense of relief comes over them.  I am proud to be affiliated with LLS Patient Services because being there is so important to our patients and families.