Ten Years, Nearly a Half Million Calls

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Walker, 55, of Shawnee Mission, KS, was scared when he learned he had multiple myeloma this summer. He had a lot of questions about the disease, he was overwhelmed and he needed accurate information fast.

One of the first things he did was call The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a free call center staffed by highly trained master's level oncology professionals equipped with the latest information on leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

"Some of my questions were very generic and others were very specific, since my diagnosis included a condition called cytogenetic chromosome 13 deletion," Walker said. "They were very helpful. They answered my questions and referred me my local chapter where I was able to speak to other patients and join a support group."

This fall the IRC marks its 10th anniversary. While many health organizations have hotlines, the IRC is unique because of the depth of individualized attention it offers. For patients with blood cancers, the search for disease-specific information has never been simple.

Blood cancers are a group of diseases, all of which originate in the bone marrow or lymphatic tissue. But leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are different types of cancers, further complicated by sub-classifications within each type. Consequently, symptoms, prognoses and treatment protocols vary widely. IRC specialists are trained to fully assess each individual's needs and tailor their responses to provide the most appropriate services for that caller. Each specialist is not only well versed on a broad range of disease information but also has a specialty area to provide more enhanced services.

Juanita Fruge, 51, of Kinder, LA, went searching on the Internet after she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in May. She found the Society's Web site and then called the IRC.

"I was so scared and they were so supportive," she said. "They spent a lot of time with me and provided me with a lot of information and resources."

The IRC's information specialists are master's level professionals, dedicated to assisting patients in accessing the most current treatments and support services. The service has experienced exponential growth in the last decade - in 1997 the call center received 13,862 calls; last year it received more than 75,000.

"We track of the number and type of inquiries we receive each month, but our specialists are more focused on quality and depth of response to patients and caregivers needs vs. quantity," said IRC Director Anita Wellborn. "We are here to help patients and their families through the confusing maze of diagnosis, treatment and survivorship."

Translations are available in more than 140 languages. The information specialists are regularly informed on disease developments, new treatments, clinical trials and quality of life issues that affect patients and their families.

The IRC also is engaged in a patient navigation study to offer proactive follow up for callers who have specific challenges. Recommended actions include seeking a second opinion from a blood cancer specialist or contacting their local chapter. In January, the IRC launched an assistance program to help cover insurance co-pay costs.

IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Clients may also email them at infocenter@lls.org or chat online at www.lls.org (Click "Live Help").

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(R), headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 68 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $550 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made 5.1 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Contact: Andrea Greif

             914.821.8958

andrea.greif@lls.org