Abstract LB-65: Advocating for Cancer Patients

Abstract The Lymphoma Foundation of America (LFA) is a national, nonprofit charity dedicated to helping cancer patients and their families. The organization provides support and counseling services, research, grants, a patient hotline, referrals, second opinions, information about patients' rights, and financial assistance to low-income families. LFA in comprised of a scientific panel of experts with backgrounds in epidemiology, genetic, and biomedical research. Peer-reviewed research reports are published by the Foundation. LFA's report entitled, “Do Pesticides Cause Lymphoma”, is a meta-analysis of the scientific literature on the association between pesticide exposures and nonhodgkin lymphoma. “Lymphoma and Solvents” is another well-known LFA-published report on the relationship between benzene and lymphoma. Each year, LFA selects promising, young university-based researchers for their outstanding work in cancer epidemiology to receive the “Young Scientist Award”. As part of the Foundation's education and outreach, it produces webcasts and partners with Patient Power to broadcast radio talk shows. These resources help patients gain the information needed to make appropriate decisions about their treatment options. The Foundation also takes an active role in national health policy. LFA served as the lead amicus organization in the Agent Orange case argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. Lymphoma Foundation of America also filed a precedent-setting Freedom of Information Act request with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This FOIA request established the right of cancer patients to receive copies of their experimental treatment protocols in all federally-funded cancer clinical trials. LFA has testified at multiple congressional hearings on the environmental causes of cancer. Lymphoma Foundation of America is an independent nonprofit organization and does not accept drug company or medical industry funding. LFA is entirely supported by individuals and charitable foundations. The Lymphoma Foundation of America was founded in 1986 by lymphoma patients who came together to help each other recover from cancer. Today, LFA serves as a leading voice for the lymphoma patient community. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-65. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-LB-65