Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Mission: To cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of all patients and their families.

We are The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the world’s largest voluntary (nonprofit) health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) was born out of a family’s grief following the death of their teenage son. Robert “Robbie” Roesler de Villiers was only 16 when he quickly succumbed to leukemia in 1944. Five years later, frustrated by the lack of effective treatments for what was then considered a hopeless disease, parents Rudolph and Antoinette de Villiers started a fundraising and education organization in their son’s name.

Since 1949, we’ve invested nearly $1.8 billion in groundbreaking research, pioneering many of today’s most innovative approaches. We work tirelessly to find cures and ensure patients can access the lifesaving treatments they need. When someone experiences the fear and uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis, we provide hope, compassion, education and support. And we are making an impact in the cancer community.