Leukemia research helps saves lives

September is Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month. I'd like to thank the Leukemia Research Foundation for more than 60 years of funding leukemia, lymphoma and myelodysplastic syndrome research around the world.

The foundation also provides patient financial assistance and offers educational and emotional support to patients and their families throughout Illinois, and to communities in Indiana and Wisconsin within 100 miles of Chicago.

As a two-time leukemia survivor, I'm living proof of the importance of funding research, as well as the benefactor of medications and treatment regimens that were established and improved on the way to finding that cure. Every five minutes, someone is diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma -- approximately 115,000 new cases are expected this year in the United States -- almost 5,000 of those in Illinois. I know first-hand the shock of diagnosis, the pain and sometimes illness brought on by treatments like chemotherapy and full-body radiation. I appreciate the financial hardship that can result from the costs of treatment and the medications that continue after remission and, in my case, the cost of a bone marrow transplant. I also know that after 60 years of funding research, part of the reward has been that the five-year survival rate for acute lymphocytic leukemia has gone from zero to upward of 90 percent. However, other leukemias and lymphomas have a five-year survival probability in the 50 percent range, so further support is crucial.

During this Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month, I hope everyone will consider the Leukemia Research Foundation and make a contribution of dollars or volunteer time today. I'm committed to serve on behalf of those who are living with leukemia and lymphoma today; and for a tomorrow in which nobody will be diagnosed. Visit www.leukemia-research.org to learn more and show your support today.

Frank A. Martinez

Chairman of the Board

Leukemia Research Foundation

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