Survey Comparison Report and Recommendations now available!

We are pleased to announce that the long-awaited Survey Comparison Report “CLL patients and Carers: Unmet needs in Healthcare and Support” is now published and released on our website.

The report provides a comparison analysis of some findings from three separate surveys conducted in 2021 and 2022 of individuals with CLL and their carers about their experiences, and with patient organisations from across the globe about CLL resources provided and unmet needs.

The analysis was based on the results of the CLL Patient Advocacy and Support Survey (CLL-PAGS) conducted by CLLAN in 2021, the Global Leukemia Patient Experience Survey (GPES) conducted in 2021/22 and the Global Leukemia Carer Experience Survey (GCES) conducted in 2022. The latter two were conducted in collaboration with two partner networks: Acute Leukemia Advocates Network (ALAN) and CML Advocates Network (CMLAN). For the latter two surveys, the analysis concentrates on data relating to CLL patients only (a subset of the wider data across different leukemia types).

The report helps inform the CLL Advocates Network´s strategy to continue to support the needs of our global community and areas to improve outcomes for people living with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). 

We’re grateful to the 57 organisations representing 40 countries globally and the more than 1200 patients and more than 130 carers who were willing to complete the surveys. This participation from diverse cultures, economies, and health systems, provides CLL Advocates Network with insights to support our global network.

READ THE REPORT FINDINGS AND ACCESS THE FULL REPORT & EXECUTIVE SUMMARY HERE!

As with many aspects of healthcare, a collaborative approach that encompasses the perspective of patients and carers alongside the work of researchers, support organisations, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies and wider policy makers will be the most progressive route to make lasting changes. These changes will ultimately save lives. 

We wish to thank all those groups and individuals that took the time to complete any of the three surveys that allowed us carry out this comparison analysis The above reports are YOUR reports! Thank you for contributing to these important pieces of evidence!

CLLAN 2021 Survey Report and Recommendations now available!

We are pleased to announce that our 2021 survey report “Resource Mapping and Unmet Needs Survey: Service Provision and Impact of COVID-19” is now published and released on our website.

The report helps inform the CLL Advocates Network´s strategy to continue to support the needs of our global community and areas to improve outcomes for people living with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). 

We’re grateful to the 57 organisations representing 40 countries globally who participated in the survey and provide support to people living with CLL. This participation from diverse cultures, economies, and health systems, provides CLL Advocates Network with insights to support our global network.

This survey has identified gaps in service provision and how this differs across organisations and between different countries across the globe. There is clearly, from the responses provided to this survey, a deficit in services particularly for patients in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC).

READ THE REPORT FINDINGS HERE

As with many aspects of healthcare, a collaborative approach that encompasses the perspective of patients and carers alongside the work of researchers, support organisations, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies and wider policy makers will be the most progressive route to make lasting changes. These changes will ultimately save lives. 

We wish to thank all those groups that took the time to complete this survey and for helping identify advocacy needs of worldwide organisations providing support to CLL patients and sharing good practice. The above reports are YOUR reports! Thank you for contributing to these important pieces of evidence!

Register for the live Satellite Symposium on “B-Cell Malignancies” with CLLAN faculty representation

17 October 2022 – Live Satellite Symposium: Solving the Puzzles for B-Cell Malignancies – Navigating the Place of BTK Inhibitors Today and Tomorrow
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm ET
18:30 – 20:00 CET

Event Registration

CLLAN and Medscape are inviting to an interactive discussion on the role of BTK inhibitors in treating B-cell malignancies – how BTK inhibitors fit into the treatment landscape and the clinical evidence supporting their use. CLLAN´s chair, Nick York, is sitting in the panel of experts and will be representing the patient voice.

Description:
The treatment landscape of B-cell malignancies continues to evolve, with new and novel drugs being investigated and added to the armamentarium. Since their introduction, Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have dramatically changed the treatment of B-cell malignancies, emerging as one of the backbones of treatment. The high anti-lymphoma activity of BTK inhibitors has led to approvals to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Join our multidisciplinary panel of experts, including hematologists, a specialist nurse, and a patient advocate, as they guide us in an interactive discussion on the role of BTK inhibitors in treating B-cell malignancies – how BTK inhibitors fit into the treatment landscape and the clinical evidence supporting their use. The panel will also explore patient perspectives in the management of their disease using BTK inhibitors, with emphasis on the needs of the patient, and the importance of meeting their treatment goals.

Enhance Your Virtual Experience With Backstage Pass!
Join our 30-minute post-symposium breakout session connecting the program speakers and audience in the virtual environment. Backstage Pass provides an intimate virtual session where you can interact with faculty, address case-based questions, and facilitate relationship building.

*Video Encouraged*

Moderator:
Christian Buske, MD

Director
Institute of Experimental Cancer Research
University Hospital Ulm
Ulm, Germany​

Panelists:
​​Helen Knight
CLL Clinical Nurse Specialist
The Russell Centre for Clinical Haematology
Nottingham University Hospitals
Nottingham, United Kingdom​

Alessandra Tedeschi, MD
Medical Director
Hematology Department
Niguarda Cancer Center
Milan, Italy​

​​Steven Treon, MD, PhD
Professor
Harvard Medical School
Director
Bing Center for Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, United States​

​Nick York
Chair
CLL Advocates Network
Leukemia Patient Advocates Foundation
Bern, Switzerland

Agenda:
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2022
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm et
18:30 – 20:00 cet

Welcome and Introductions
Christian Buske, MD

BTK Inhibitors and B-Cell Malignancies: A Patient View
​Nick York
​​Helen Knight

The Puzzle of CLL: Integrating BTK Inhibitors Across the Disease Continuum
​​Alessandra Tedeschi, MD

The Puzzle of WM: Genome Profiling Clues to Inform Treatment Decisions With BTK inhibitors
​​Steven Treon, MD, PhD

The Puzzle of BTK inhibitors and Other Indolent NHLs: Extending Outcomes in Relapsed/Refractory Disease
Christian Buske, MD

The Puzzle of MCL: The Evolving Role of BTK inhibitors
Christian Buske, MD

Conclusion
Christian Buske, MD

Adjourn
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Backstage Pass

Registration Link

TARGET AUDIENCE
This activity is intended for an international audience of non-US hematologists/oncologists, pathologists, cardiologists and other healthcare providers involved in the care of patients with B-cell malignancies.

GOAL STATEMENT
The goal of this activity is that learners will be better able to use BTK inhibitors for the individual patient with B-cell malignancies.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this activity, participants will:

Have increased knowledge regarding the
– Latest clinical data with BTK inhibitors for B-cell malignancies
– Factors informing treatment decisions with BTK inhibitors for B-cell malignancies

Have greater competence related to
– Using BTK inhibitors to manage patients with B-cell malignancies

Demonstrate greater confidence in their ability to
– Integrate the latest data with BTK inhibitors into the management of patients with B-cell malignancies

WORLD CLL DAY website and campaign materials now launched!

Every 1 September, the global CLL community unites to raise awareness about chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and give those affected by a diagnosis of CLL a much needed voice. On World CLL Day (#WCLLD) we come together to improve understanding of the vulnerability of CLL patients and the challenges involved in living with CLL. The 2022 Campaign Toolkit is now available – there are lots of things you can do in the lead-up to the campaign, as well as joining us on the day!

For World CLL Day 2021, the umbrella, a form of shield, was chosen as the central campaign image. You can hold it over yourself or someone else, emphasising the aspect of proactive choice to protect others, e.g. by wearing a mask, getting vaccinated & making room.

The umbrella still carries the message into World CLL Day 2022. CLL patients and other immunocompromised patients need help to be able to get on board with those more able to navigate the world as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted across the globe. World CLL Day 2022 also takes into account the current climate where there is a level of virus circulating in society and weariness about the pandemic information. For this, we have chosen to turn the umbrella into a boat by simply flipping it. We want to emphasize the idea of protection while at the same time reinforcing the message of moving forward and navigating the world with COVID-19.

On this World CLL Day, under the hashtags #WCLLD22 #getonboard and #withteamCLL we ask the community to consider CLL patients and other immuno-compromised patients and help them get on board.

The downloadable campaign materials for the 2022 campaign and details are now available on the WCLLD website.

Join us and help spread the message in the lead-up to World CLL Day 2022 and on 1 September 2022! 

> 70 endorsers are supporting the ICBCC´s Joint Patient Impact Statement to date!

A multi-stakeholder coalition consisting of representatives from the global patient advocacy and clinical community has formed the International COVID-19 Blood Cancer Coalition (ICBCC) to address the specific impact of the pandemic on immunocompromised blood cancer patients (both acute and chronic), like those living with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), and to recommend solutions and actions to mitigate those risks.

The CLL Advocates Network (CLLAN) is acting as secretariat on behalf of the coalition.

The coalition has prepared a Joint Patient Impact Statement for use in different countries to aid when advocating for the provision of anti-COVID-19 treatment and care for immunocompromised or immunosuppressed (IC/IS) blood cancer patients.

The Statement has by now been endorsed by 54 networks and national organisations of the global patient advocacy community as well as 17 renowned medical societies and representatives from the global clinical community. You can access the full list of endorsers here.

The statement incl. all latest updates is now available HERE for you to use and share.

For more information about the coalition, please click HERE.

Ukraine Conflict Response

While we are all watching with growing concern the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, our friends at Lymphoma Coalition have worked to the limits of their ability to set up an Ukraine Conflict Response Hub that includes a list of resources for those needing assistance. It also enables those in need to seek direct and individual support.

Lymphoma Coalition has built a collaboration amongst Member organisations and other existing partners and allies in Central and Eastern Europe, also including select pan-European organisations and scientific societies. Together, they are making every effort to provide concrete help, identifying tangible ways to assist patients in need and supporting the efforts of healthcare professionals across borders. This initiative is based on ongoing communications with haematologists in Ukraine, who have voiced how the broader lymphoma community can best assist.

To learn more about the actions being taken, please visit the respective section on the Lymphoma Coalition´s website: https://lymphomacoalition.org/ukraine-conflict-response/

Thanks to the Lymphoma Coalition for taking the lead in providing ad hoc support to those who need it the most! We are very grateful for your initiative and ongoing efforts.

To access the CLL Advocates Network´s Solidarity Statement with Ukraine, please click here.

Welcome to our newest member: The CLLAN now counts 44 members from 35 countries!

We are proud to welcome a new member to our network! Please join us in welcoming our first Australian member Leukaemia Foundation of Australia to this big family!

The CLL Advocates Network and the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia have a long tradition of friendship and cooperation but have only now formalized their relationship. We look forward to continue working with you in the fight against CLL, in enhancing CLL patient care and improving outcomes.

The CLL Advocates Network now counts 44 members from 35 countries! Click here to see our full list of members.

CLL HORIZONS 2021 RECORDINGS NOW PUBLICLY AVAILABLE

CLL Horizons, the annual conference of the CLL patient advocacy community, is designed to build capacity in patient advocates and grow their skills on medical and advocacy topics. The 4th CLL Horizons Conference (CLLHZ 2021) was held from 5-7 November 2021 in a fully virtual format. More than 130 participants from 40 countries joined the event.

Renowned experts and speakers from different parts of the world offered interesting medical and advocacy sessions, supporting interactive panel sessions.

Session recordings have been available to registered participants on the conference platform BUT ARE NOW ALSO AVAILABLE HERE!

For more information on CLL Horizons 2021 and to access sessions of previous Horizons Conferences, please CLICK HERE

Passing of our friend Neil Graham from New Zealand

The CLL Advocates Network is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of our friend Neil Graham, Founder and Executive Director of CLL Advocates Network New Zealand, a member of the international CLL Advocates Network (CLLAN). Neil passed away on November 15, 2021. He was the driving force and inspiring leader behind CLL Advocates Network New Zealand and gave an enormous amount of his time and professional expertise to establishing the organisation and advocating for the interests of CLL patients.

The CLL Advocates Network would like to express its deepest condolences to family, close friends and his exceptional team at CLL Advocates Network New Zealand who will continue Neil´s legacy.

As a physician and CLL patient himself, Neil gave a great deal of personal time to talking with and meeting CLL patients. Neil also maintained a persistent and consistent focus on getting better treatments for CLL patients, regularly engaging with Pharmac officials, petitioning and making submissions to Parliament, appearing before the Health Committee and the Pharmac Review Panel and engaging with media. Neil felt strongly about improving public understanding of CLL and providing better information for people living with it.

Over the years, the CLL Advocates Network and Neil developed a strong relationship. Neil was a speaker at CLL Horizons conferences and a great friend to the community. Unfortunately, health did not allow him to attend CLL Horizons 2021 – he had to cancel his attendance very short notice.

Read more about Neil, his organisation and the impact he has made for patients in New Zealand here.

Statement: CLLAN´s solidarity with Ukraine

The CLL Advocates Network is shocked and saddened by the events in Ukraine. We strongly condem all forms of attack on the fundamental values of freedom, democracy and self-determination and support a call for an immediate end to the current hostilities. We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, and with all those affected, particularly those who find themselves living with a cancer such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

We are working with other networks to support blood cancer patients affected by the war. In the meantime, we would recommend you to visit Ukraine Conflict Response Hub that has been set up by our friends at Lymphoma Coalition. The Hub includes a list of resources for those needing assistance. It also enables those in need to seek direct and individual support. Congratulations on this fabulous resource!