Our Story
Our story began in Toronto in 1955 when five women concerned with the lack of focus on leukemia research decided to raise money for research. At the time, the prognosis of a leukemia diagnosis was very poor. To start, they raised funds for the City of Hope Hospital in California. Then their focus changed to Canadian research and funds raised were directed to Canadian hospitals shortly after the first provincial charter for the City of Hope Leukemia Fighters was issued in 1957.
In 1965, the official name was changed to Toronto Leukemia Fighters. This was also the first year all monies raised were donated to Mount Sinai Hospital, which invested heavily in leukemia and related blood disorders. For the next 10 years, over $400,000 was raised and invested in research taking place Mount Sinai Hospital.
In 1972, the organization's name changed again to the Leukemia Research Fund and in 1983, we merged with the Crusade Against Leukemia. We expanded outside Toronto over the next few years.
The Honourable Bob Rae suggested an alliance with United Food and Commercial Workers Canada (UFCW), whose charity of choice up until that point was the Leukemia Society of America. Since 1985, UFCW Canada and its members have been our single largest supporter. Leukemia Research Fund of Canada (LRFC) became a federally registered charity in 1992.
Max Parrot, Canadian snowboarding champion, is involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada as a spokesperson and ambassador. His story serves as an inspiration to the blood cancer community, especially to young adults who are going through the disease.
Our affiliation with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in the United States, formerly the Leukemia Society of America, became official in 2004. The LLS in the US was involved not only with funding research, but also with providing support to people affected by a blood cancer and their caregivers. The Leukemia Research Fund was renamed The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) as of July 1, 2004. Services were added to the Canadian mandate. While we are affiliated with LLS, we remain a separate entity and a registered charity in Canada that is focused on funding Canadian research and supporting Canadians in need as they go through their cancer experience.
Our mission
We won’t stop until there is a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms and are able to improve the quality of life of people affected by blood cancers and their families by funding life-enhancing research and providing educational resources, services and support.
What we do
In Canada, there are currently 155,593 people living with or in remission from one of the 137 types of blood cancers. Our story may have started out of a concern for leukemia research, but today, we are the largest registered charitable health agency dedicated to supporting the blood cancer community in Canada. Our focus has grown and now includes:
Funding research from bench to bedside
Rethinking how a person navigates their blood cancer experience
Providing targeted blood cancer information
Offering tools for psychological and emotional support
Empowering Canadians to take charge of their blood cancer experience through practical support and advocacy
What we have accomplished together
Who we serve
Our staff and volunteers are spread across the country to ensure our programs and services reach individuals and families in urban cities and rural communities alike. Many of our programs have been adapted for remote access so that distance is never an issue for critical resources or our support services. Our services and programs are specially developed and customized for the following groups:
Individuals with a blood cancer diagnosis including children, teens, young and older adults
Caregivers of a person with a blood cancer
Survivors of a blood cancer
Families and friends grieving the loss of a loved one to a blood cancer
Teachers and school administrators concerned about students touched by a blood cancer
Healthcare professionals, such as, oncology nurses, social workers and pharmacists
Researchers interested in the areas of hematology and blood cancers
Contact us
How we are organized
Her vision has been a driving force behind many successful culture, engagement and coaching initiatives at SW&A leading the firm to be named as one of Canada’s Best Workplaces, as well as, an Employee Recommended Workplace in 2017 and 2018.
The blood cancer cause is a personal one for Jennifer. She is a 14-year leukemia survivor and is dedicated volunteer for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. She is also a keen adventurer who enjoys new challenges including biking, hiking, trekking, and zip-lining in some of the most exotic and beautiful parts of the world. She is a mother of two, Matt 22 and Kate 20, who she is helping transition through university to adulthood. Her husband Murray enjoys accompanying her on her adventures.
A fervent believer in the importance of volunteerism, Angela has been involved in a number of community organizations over the years including as a director of the Foundation of the Women’s Centre of Montreal since 2015. As a survivor of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma thanks, in part, to so many giving so much, Angela is committed to contributing to the mission of the LLSC.
Currently, Jeffrey is the CEO of Edison Oncology Holding Corp., a company he established to develop and commercialize new therapies in the fight against cancer. Prior to founding Edison Oncology, he led the growth of DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from its inception in 2010 through its listing on NASDAQ and advancement of its lead product candidate to pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials. In addition to his role at Edison Oncology, Jeffrey serves as an independent director and chair of the Compensation Committee for Sernova Corp., where he has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2008.
Jeffrey has been recognized as a “Top 40 under 40” executive by Business in Vancouver magazine and is the former Chair of the Greater Vancouver Economic Council.
Jeffrey is active in his community through volunteerism with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program and as former Chairman of the Board for Covenant House Vancouver.
As an experienced professional with more than 25 years of retail management, Ozzie is known for driving brand performance and operational excellence. In his 16 years at The Beer Store, he has held various management roles starting his career as a Store Manager, District Manager, and General Manager of Retail Operations before transitioning to his current role as Vice President, Retail Operations.
Over the years he has been involved in the community in many different capacities. His passion for family and community have driven him to volunteer as School Council Chair for several years. In addition, he has volunteered as an Auxiliary Police Officer for the Waterloo Region Police Service and has served as a Coordinator for the Cambridge Core Areas Patrol, an award-winning community support initiative. Ozzie has been an active supporter of LLSC from the first day that The Beer Store and LLSC paired up. From being a District Coordinator to sitting on the Bottle Drive Provincial Committee, LLSC has always been an important charitable partner to him because of the great work they do!
Aaron is a member of the firm’s Capital Markets Group and Venture Finance Group. He practices corporate law with an emphasis on debt and equity financing and domestic and international M&A. On financing matters, Aaron works closely with investors, often U.S. and Canadian banks or investment funds on their lending transactions in Canada. Aaron also assists emerging and high growth companies as they use debt to grow their businesses. On M&A transactions, Aaron serves a broad range of the firm’s clients, including, strategic/financial buyers, family offices and retiring or otherwise divesting sellers. Aaron’s range of client experience allows him to see issues from all sides of a deal and provide effective solutions to meet client needs.
Aaron was recently named as one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in 2020 by Canadian Lawyer magazine in the Young Influencer category. He was also recognized as a 2020 Precedent Setter by Precedent Magazine, which recognizes six outstanding young Toronto lawyers who have shown excellence and leadership in their practice and their community.
Aaron has been involved with the LLSC since 2021 when he competed in the Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign (now Visionaries of the Year). Having raised more than $114,000 during the 10-week competition, Aaron won the National Man of the Year title. In 2022, he was Co-Chair of the MWOY Leadership Team and increased his overall impact to $298,000. Aaron has set a goal to have a $1,000,000 lifetime impact on the LLSC.
Dr. Berman is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and internationally recognized for pioneering research using zebrafish to study leukemia, childhood solid tumours, and rare inherited diseases, with a recent focus on inherited bone marrow failure syndromes. His laboratory has served as the Atlantic node of the Centre for Drug Research and Development and a national hub for zebrafish modeling of orphan diseases. He has served as president of the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation, president of the Canadian Hematology Society and is a founding member of the Canadian Rare Disease Models and Mechanisms Network. He is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of the national Maternal Infant Child and Youth Research Network and a member of the board of the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research (Chair of the Research Committee) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Cancer Research.
Dr. Berman has been engaged with LLSC for many years in a variety of capacities, including as a grant recipient, speaker at Light the Night events, grant reviewer, Chair of the Operating Grant Review Panel, and member of the Med/Sci Committee. He is passionate about translating research findings from the bench to the bedside to improve the outcome and quality of life for individuals suffering from blood cancers
Beyond his formal titles, Elijah has been a catalyst for positive change within the organization. He has been instrumental on numerous special projects. A passionate advocate for diversity, Elijah was a founding member of the company's BIPOC Employee Resource Group (ERG) and has been instrumental in creating three additional ERGs, designed to give voice to diverse groups of employees. In his present capacity as DEIB Manager, Elijah focuses on the strategic development and deployment of all DEIB programs. Keen on community involvement, he prioritizes outreach initiatives to understand the needs of various communities better, thereby ensuring that DEIB efforts are both effective and inclusive.
Elijah's commitment extends far beyond the workplace; he is deeply involved in his community as well. A dedicated soccer coach for youth across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Elijah embodies the belief that giving back to the community is not just an obligation but a purpose. This dedication to community was further showcased when he served as the Team Manager for the male and female soccer teams for Ontario at the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax in the summer of 2023. Under his leadership, both teams brought home Ontario's first medals in soccer, a feat that speaks volumes about his capabilities as a mentor and leader.
Elijah's connection to the cause of the LLSC is deeply personal. His best man was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007, a life-altering event that has made him an active supporter of the life-saving research and education that LLSC provides. For many years, he has served as a District Coordinator for The Beer Store’s annual Bottle Drive in support of the LLSC, going the extra mile by organizing fire trucks and BBQs to raise awareness and educate the public on this critical issue.
As an Ojibwe from the Walpole Island First Nation, Elijah has always been passionate about advocating for Indigenous communities. He sees his potential role on the LLSC Board as an opportunity to bring much-needed awareness to Indigenous communities and to advocate for real benefits that could positively impact not just his community but all those within Canada.
Frédéric was the managing partner of a consulting practice specialized in business intelligence and economic and industrial development for 14 years before he joined the Quebec Cluster of Metal Transformers as Chief Executive Officer.
As a speaker and strategic advisor, Frédéric wrote several industry reports and briefs, participated in parliamentary committees, and organized strategic forums for the development of industry clusters.
In early 2017 Frederic was diagnosed with an aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma stage IV and, thanks to the support of the Canadian medical community, he is now undergoing his maintenance treatment.
Kenny was born and raised in Southern Ontario (Toronto/Guelph) and attended the University of Prince Edward Island where he pursued an undergraduate degree in Arts English while also serving as a captain of the men’s varsity basketball team. After falling in love with the East Coast, he began his professional career in Halifax with Scotiabank, starting his journey as a career banking professional with over 20 years of multi-channel experience both as an individual performer and as a leader. Kenny currently leads a team of Investment Advisors at ScotiaMcLeod.
Diversity Equity and Inclusion and developing talent has always been areas of interest and passion for Kenny. He was instrumental in launching multiple DEI initiatives and mentorships programs with both Regional and National scope. Kenny is an active community volunteer and looks for ways to help people exceed their expectations of what is possible. Kenny lost his mother and best friend (Linda Duncan) to cancer in 2014 and was first introduced to LLS through the Woman/Man of the Year campaign where he and his team ran a successful campaign in 2020 (Covid). Since then, he has maintained communication and interest in the organization and its overall direction.
Kenny and his wife Jessica reside in Waverley, NS with their 3 active children Kaylah (11), Janessa (9) and Keegan (7). They spend their evenings and weekends driving their kids around Atlantic Canada for various sporting events.
In 2017, Dan’s uncle passed away from AML leaving his wife and two teenage daughters behind. He is actively involved in several community service organizations. Currently, he is the proud member of Montreal’s Light the Night Walk Volunteer Leadership Committee where he was Chair of the Walk in 2016. Dan and his wife are proud to raise two amazing daughters together.
Paul wasn’t going to allow a cancer diagnosis to stop him from continuing his active lifestyle. Shortly after finishing his curative chemotherapy treatments in the fall of 2011, he was re-elected to the Newfoundland Labrador House of Assembly and elevated to cabinet. Paul continued his political career while undergoing two years of maintenance treatments and in 2014 became the 12th Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.
In the fall of 2018 Paul retired from politics but stepped up his involvement with LLSC. As a lifelong volunteer with a long history of serving with local, regional and national organizations, Paul was delighted to join the LLSC Board of Directors and enjoys being an active volunteer with the local Light The Night organizing committee.
Paul is particularly passionate when it comes to services and supports to people affected by blood cancers and their families and believes in the benefits and value of much needed blood cancer research.
Paul and his wife Cheryl reside in their home town of Conception Bay South, Newfoundland Labrador.
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Cameron completed his education in Toronto earning an Honours degree in Economics at York University. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Canadian Investment Manager (CIM), Options
licensed (OLC), Financial Management Advisor (FMA) and is licensed to provide insurance solutions to protect and preserve your personal and corporate wealth.
Cameron is actively involved with a variety of professional and charitable organizations including his former role as Director on the Board of the Better Living Health Centre. He has also served on their Planning Committee Board and Finance Board. In his former role as Branch Manager at RBC Royal Bank, Cameron initiated RBC's participation in the Meals on Wheels program. He recently co-chaired the Special Events Committee of the Yonge Bloor Bay Business Association, which continues to support local businesses and charities in the Yorkville community.
Cameron served on the RBC Dominion Securities Advisory Board which comprised of advisors from across Canada. He represented RBC investment advisors for the Metro Toronto and Northern Ontario regions, alongside his fellow board members, working to improve client service and the client experience at RBC Dominion Securities. Since 2020, Cameron has been involved with the RBC Dominion Securities Investment Advisor Mentorship Program. He coaches new Advisors who are looking to grow their business. Currently, he is a member of the prestigious RBC Dominion Securities Executive Council.
In addition, Amber channels her passion for people and culture by leading the SW&A Engagement strategy. With a focus on Whole Person Development, including connection and belonging, recognition and energy management, Amber is always looking for new ideas and approaches to ensure the team is truly thriving even during these challenging times. Amber has also built custom Whole Person Development programs for SW&A clients to help their teams succeed.
Amber’s daughter Reese, now 15 years old, is a childhood cancer survivor. While the diagnosis was not a blood cancer, there’s no doubt some of treatment she received was informed by the research done on blood cancers. Plus, Amber and her family became close to other families with children going through leukemia treatment at Sick Kids hospital….each and every one of them a true warrior and inspiration. Amber, her husband and daughter love international travel, exploring new restaurants around Toronto and relaxing at the cottage.
Amber has volunteered her ideas and her time as a member of LLSC’s Talent and HR Committee for the past year.
A UFCW member for nearly 25 years, Derek has served the union in various capacities, including local steward, national representative, and regional director. As Special Assistant, Johnstone engages stakeholders as the union’s research, communications, and skills development principal. He also serves as administrator of the union’s strike and lockout resource, the National Defence Fund.
From 2014 to 2019, Derek served as Vice-Chair of the Ontario Prevention Council, where he worked with employers, civil society organizations and academics to develop and advance the province’s health and safety system and provide enhanced protections for vulnerable worker populations.
Like many UFCW Canada members – who have collectively raised more than $43-million for blood cancer research – Derek is an enthusiastic participant in LLSC fundraising initiatives.
Derek is a graduate of Western University, and has completed professional education programs in public relations, board governance and group benefit plans.
National leadership roles include Scientific Panel Chair of the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO) Research Awards. International leadership roles include Co-Chair of the Non-Pharmacological Interventions subgroup of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), Neurological Complications Study Group and Deputy Editor of the MASCC journal, Supportive Care in Cancer.
Phillip’s association with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada began in 2006 following his recovery from an extensive 2-year treatment program for Multiple Myeloma. Since then, he has been active in taking on the roles of Ambassador, First Connection Peer Support and Captain – Team Iron Will. His team has raised over $500,000 for LLSC since participating in their first Light the Night Walk in 2006. Other volunteer positions include Light the Night Walk Member, Honoured Hero and Corporate Walk Chair in 2014 (now called ELC).
Previously, Richard was the Vice President of Student Services for CPA Ontario where he oversaw the operations, strategic and financial planning, business development, regulatory requirements, and policy development relating to a 20,000-student portfolio. Collaborating with provincial and national bodies across Canada, he led aspects of unifying three professional accounting bodies into one, while implementing a new post graduate program. He also led large-scale digital transformation projects and co-developed and implemented a multimillion-dollar funding model for Ontario universities that led to the creation of four specialized research centers.
Richard also worked at CIBC World Markets where he was a Director in Equity Research and was quickly ranked by Brendan Woods International as a “Rising Star”. Previously, he was a Treasury Manager with Pepsi Canada and became a CA with KPMG in 1999. Richard also volunteered on several Not-for-Profit Boards, including Hospice Palliative Care of Ontario and Family Services Toronto.
Her vision has been a driving force behind many successful culture, engagement and coaching initiatives at SW&A leading the firm to be named as one of Canada’s Best Workplaces, as well as, an Employee Recommended Workplace in 2017 and 2018.
The blood cancer cause is a personal one for Jennifer. She is a 14-year leukemia survivor and is dedicated volunteer for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. She is also a keen adventurer who enjoys new challenges including biking, hiking, trekking, and zip-lining in some of the most exotic and beautiful parts of the world. She is a mother of two, Matt 22 and Kate 20, who she is helping transition through university to adulthood. Her husband Murray enjoys accompanying her on her adventures.
A fervent believer in the importance of volunteerism, Angela has been involved in a number of community organizations over the years including as a director of the Foundation of the Women’s Centre of Montreal since 2015. As a survivor of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma thanks, in part, to so many giving so much, Angela is committed to contributing to the mission of the LLSC.
Currently, Jeffrey is the CEO of Edison Oncology Holding Corp., a company he established to develop and commercialize new therapies in the fight against cancer. Prior to founding Edison Oncology, he led the growth of DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from its inception in 2010 through its listing on NASDAQ and advancement of its lead product candidate to pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials. In addition to his role at Edison Oncology, Jeffrey serves as an independent director and chair of the Compensation Committee for Sernova Corp., where he has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2008.
Jeffrey has been recognized as a “Top 40 under 40” executive by Business in Vancouver magazine and is the former Chair of the Greater Vancouver Economic Council.
Jeffrey is active in his community through volunteerism with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program and as former Chairman of the Board for Covenant House Vancouver.
Aaron is a member of the firm’s Capital Markets Group and Venture Finance Group. He practices corporate law with an emphasis on debt and equity financing and domestic and international M&A. On financing matters, Aaron works closely with investors, often U.S. and Canadian banks or investment funds on their lending transactions in Canada. Aaron also assists emerging and high growth companies as they use debt to grow their businesses. On M&A transactions, Aaron serves a broad range of the firm’s clients, including, strategic/financial buyers, family offices and retiring or otherwise divesting sellers. Aaron’s range of client experience allows him to see issues from all sides of a deal and provide effective solutions to meet client needs.
Aaron was recently named as one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in 2020 by Canadian Lawyer magazine in the Young Influencer category. He was also recognized as a 2020 Precedent Setter by Precedent Magazine, which recognizes six outstanding young Toronto lawyers who have shown excellence and leadership in their practice and their community.
Aaron has been involved with the LLSC since 2021 when he competed in the Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign (now Visionaries of the Year). Having raised more than $114,000 during the 10-week competition, Aaron won the National Man of the Year title. In 2022, he was Co-Chair of the MWOY Leadership Team and increased his overall impact to $298,000. Aaron has set a goal to have a $1,000,000 lifetime impact on the LLSC.
Dr. Berman is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and internationally recognized for pioneering research using zebrafish to study leukemia, childhood solid tumours, and rare inherited diseases, with a recent focus on inherited bone marrow failure syndromes. His laboratory has served as the Atlantic node of the Centre for Drug Research and Development and a national hub for zebrafish modeling of orphan diseases. He has served as president of the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation, president of the Canadian Hematology Society and is a founding member of the Canadian Rare Disease Models and Mechanisms Network. He is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of the national Maternal Infant Child and Youth Research Network and a member of the board of the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research (Chair of the Research Committee) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Cancer Research.
Dr. Berman has been engaged with LLSC for many years in a variety of capacities, including as a grant recipient, speaker at Light the Night events, grant reviewer, Chair of the Operating Grant Review Panel, and member of the Med/Sci Committee. He is passionate about translating research findings from the bench to the bedside to improve the outcome and quality of life for individuals suffering from blood cancers
Frédéric was the managing partner of a consulting practice specialized in business intelligence and economic and industrial development for 14 years before he joined the Quebec Cluster of Metal Transformers as Chief Executive Officer.
As a speaker and strategic advisor, Frédéric wrote several industry reports and briefs, participated in parliamentary committees, and organized strategic forums for the development of industry clusters.
In early 2017 Frederic was diagnosed with an aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma stage IV and, thanks to the support of the Canadian medical community, he is now undergoing his maintenance treatment.
In 2017, Dan’s uncle passed away from AML leaving his wife and two teenage daughters behind. He is actively involved in several community service organizations. Currently, he is the proud member of Montreal’s Light the Night Walk Volunteer Leadership Committee where he was Chair of the Walk in 2016. Dan and his wife are proud to raise two amazing daughters together.
In addition, Amber channels her passion for people and culture by leading the SW&A Engagement strategy. With a focus on Whole Person Development, including connection and belonging, recognition and energy management, Amber is always looking for new ideas and approaches to ensure the team is truly thriving even during these challenging times. Amber has also built custom Whole Person Development programs for SW&A clients to help their teams succeed.
Amber’s daughter Reese, now 15 years old, is a childhood cancer survivor. While the diagnosis was not a blood cancer, there’s no doubt some of treatment she received was informed by the research done on blood cancers. Plus, Amber and her family became close to other families with children going through leukemia treatment at Sick Kids hospital….each and every one of them a true warrior and inspiration. Amber, her husband and daughter love international travel, exploring new restaurants around Toronto and relaxing at the cottage.
Amber has volunteered her ideas and her time as a member of LLSC’s Talent and HR Committee for the past year.