Lymphoma Research Foundation Announces Groundbreaking Adolescent and Young Adult Initiative
New York, NY (PRWEB) November 12, 2014 -- Lymphoma accounts for nearly 1 in 5 cancer diagnoses among 15-to-29-year-olds, which is disproportionately higher than the rest of the population in which lymphoma represents only five percent of new malignancies. To address the unique needs of young adults with lymphoma, the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) – the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted exclusively to funding innovative research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives and patient services – announced today the launch of its #EraseLymphoma video. The video is part of the Foundation’s larger Adolescent and Young Adult initiative, which is dedicated to raising awareness of lymphoma among the adolescent and young adult community and providing resources to those affected by this blood cancer.
“Every seven minutes someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with lymphoma – the most common form of blood cancer. In fact, lymphoma is one of the most common cancers affecting adolescents and young adults; yet, many youths do not even know what lymphoma is until after they are diagnosed and that is a huge problem,” said Elizabeth Thompson, LRF Chief Executive Officer. “With our #EraseLymphoma initiative, the Lymphoma Research Foundation seeks to raise critical awareness of lymphoma by showing the main faces of this disease.”
At noon ET on Wednesday, November 12, the Lymphoma Research Foundation will coordinate a multi-platform social media push via Thunderclap, a platform that allows a single message to be mass-shared. With nearly 500 participants already signed on, the Foundation will harness the grassroots power of social media to debut its adolescent and young adult video.
“I always thought that lymphoma was something that only affected people when they were older – but that is a big misconception. Since being diagnosed in my 20s, I’ve noticed a major disconnect between the public perception of what the ‘lymphoma community’ looks like demographically and who I see struggle with the disease every day,” said LRF Diplomat and Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, Erica Campbell. “I am living proof of both the benefit of lymphoma awareness in the young adult community and the impact of the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s support and resources for young patients; I am confident that together, we can erase lymphoma!”
The #EraseLymphoma awareness video is the first part of a multi-faceted initiative that aims to assist young lymphoma patients in addressing the medical challenges, psychosocial needs and access issues they may encounter by providing expert materials and programs, all while emphasizing the need for accurate and timely diagnosis. The Foundation’s Adolescent and Young Adult Initiative is supported by The Paul Foundation – Founding Sponsor of the initiative, as well as national sponsors that include The Ferriday Fund Charitable Trust, Genentech, and Teva Oncology. For more information on the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s #EraseLymphoma Adolescent and Young Adult video and initiative, visit: lymphoma.org/eraselymphoma.
About the Lymphoma Research Foundation
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to funding innovative research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives and patient services. To date, LRF has awarded more than $55 million in lymphoma-specific research.
For additional information on LRF’s research, education and services, visit lymphoma.org.
Peggy Ann Torney, Lymphoma Research Foundation, http://lymphoma.org, +1 646-465-9109, [email protected]
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