 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
  |
"Commitment to the CLL Community Award"
Messages from Patients Inaugural Award The CLL Information Group (CIG) is made possible through the generosity and commitment of key individuals from medicine, nursing, social work and patient advocacy. Every year, people accessing services send countless emails and messages acknowledging the unique need CIG meets for people living with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and their loved ones, from diagnosis through long-term survivorship. In February 2010, a grateful CLL patient chose to formally acknowledge the countless hours individuals dedicate to the CLL community through the CIG website and related listserv. Bonnie has graciously agreed to match up to $5,000. This match will double your contribution to CIG. This award will be bestowed upon professionals and volunteers who demonstrate a commitment to caring for and specifically serving people affected by CLL across the globe. The inaugural award is being presented in 2010 to John Balan and Dr. Furman. Please join us in honoring these two outstanding individuals by writing a message about how CIG has impacted you and/or making a contribution in honor of John and Dr. Furman. Your messages and tax-deductible contributions will be acknowledged via this website.
Messages from Patients "I am grateful to John for all his efforts in establishing and maintaining the CIG website and Listserv, allowing me to connect to the larger CLL community. It has been incredibly helpful to me when newly diagnosed to find this caring and informative support network. I have benefitted from Dr. Furman’s expert contributions on the List as well as the experience and strength of the people who share. Dr. Furman is extremely knowledgeable, kind, candid, hopeful, and responsive. He sees the patient as a whole – not just the CLL. When necessary, he has collaborated with other doctors on related medical issues. I always feel that I have his full attention and never felt rushed – all my questions are answered. Dr Furman’s leadership and dedication to ongoing CLL research are also enormously heartening to me. While dealing with the anxiety of the unknown it is encouraging to know there is a supportive safety net in place. As I am getting used to this new diagnosis, it is reassuring to be in such skilled and caring hands. I feel fortunate to receive this level of competent and compassionate medical care." — CLL Patient, Diagnosed October 2009
Biographies for John Balan and Richard Furman, MD Since his diagnosis with CLL in 1997, John Balan has become increasingly involved in patient education and patient advocacy. In 2003 he formed a patient internet discussion group, cllsll@yahoogroups.com, intended to be a forum for serious medical discussion. In 2004, he founded The CLL Information Group (CIG). Feeling that CLL/SLL patients were a relatively underrepresented group, CIG’s purpose is to gather the patient voices and be heard by the medical establishment. CIG disseminates information to its more than 1,000 members, creates teleconferences and meetings and provides medical data of significance to its members. A web site, www.cllinfogroup.org, has also been created. John is also a member of the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Board of Directors. Richard R. Furman, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Weill Medical College, where he also serves as Director of the CLL Research Center and the Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia program. In this capacity, Dr. Furman works tirelessly to identify new promising therapies for patients with CLL and Waldenstrom’s. Dr. Furman completed his bachelor’s degree at Dartmouth College and his medical degree at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He is the author/co-author of over 30 publications and is an active member of numerous professional societies. Dr. Furman is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Charles, Lillian and Betty Neuwirth Clinical Scholar Award. In addition to his professional activities, Dr. Furman gives generously of his time to patient education activities through the CLL Information Group (CIG) and the Lymphoma Research Foundation.
We want to hear from you! If you or someone you know has benefited from CIG and specifically from John and Dr. Furman’s efforts, please tell us about it. It is only through your words that proper accolades can be bestowed. Email your message to mspellman@lymphoma.org. All messages will be shared with John and Dr. Furman. Select messages will be posted to this website. Donate in Honor of John Balan and Richard Furman, MD through the CLL Community Award |
