Welcome!

Hello, my name is Melissa Ledford.  In 2000 after graduating medical school as a physician associate I moved to Houston, TX to join forces fighting blood cancers at MD Anderson Cancer Center.  As a clinician and family member, I have witnessed first hand the debilitating effects that leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma can have on those who suffer from these blood diseases and on the friends and family who care for and nurture their loved ones.  While at MD Anderson I was fortunate to be a part of a history making trial by putting patients on a drug we now know as “Gleevec.” It became the first targeted therapy, or “silver bullet” if you will, approved for cancer in 2001.  After years of treating patients and inspired by this success, I decided there was more I could do through oncology/hematology research and now work in drug development for the pharmaceutical industry and volunteer with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).   Leukemia still causes more deaths among children than any other cancer; so while we’ve made tremendous strides there is still so much more to do.   My years of partnership with the LLS and my belief in their mission has made me a candidate for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS was established in 1949 as the de Villiers Foundation, named in memory of Robert Roesler de Villiers, a young man who died of leukemia. It is currently the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services.  LLS has invested $750 million in medical research since its inception, underwriting the work of blood cancer research projects throughout the world, including 18 researchers in the Texas Medical Center.  The local grants total over $20 million in 2011 alone. As a result of ongoing research, overall survival rates for leukemia have tripled in the last 40 years. 

LLS is dedicated to being one of the top-rated voluntary health agencies in terms of dollars that directly fund the mission.  LLS expenditures are directed to research, patient and community services, advocacy and education.  Over the past 60 years, LLS has been committed to providing current and vital information to cancer patients which enables them to actively participate in their treatment. Despite these hard economic times, the needs of blood cancer patients and their families continue to escalate.  The LLS has responded by continually adapting its services to educate and even financially assist patients and families.  The gulf coast chapter serves over 4,000 individuals each year in the greater Houston area. 

As an LLS Woman of the Year candidate I have agreed to conduct a fundraising campaign for LLS March 3 – May 12.  The male and female candidates who raise the most during the ten weeks are named the chapter’s Man & Woman of the Year.  The totals are then considered in naming national titles.  I will be raising money in honor of the Boy (Brendon Farmer, age 9) & Girl (Emma Woodle, age 8) of the Year who are patient heroes chosen for their strength and winning attitudes as they battle leukemia. The announcement of the 2011 Man & Woman of the Year at the Grand Finale Friday, May 13, 2011.  The evening will include cocktails, food, music and a silent auction.  Businesses can donate silent auction items for tax deduction by May 5.  Corporate sponsorships are available.  Contact Melissa Ledford for ticket sales to the Grand Finale.  Please attend an event to support this effort or go to the "Donate" tab to contribute now.