COVID-19 | CLL Society

The prevalence of coronavirus is growing quickly. Our compromised immune status mandates that we stay well-informed in order to plan ahead and strategize how we will obtain the best possible care, should we become infected.

The CLL Society will provide frequent medically curated updates and news, both general and specific, to our community in this special COVID-19 section of our website until the crisis has passed.

Latest updates: Help move CLL patients to the front of the COVID-19 vaccine line by using our letter asking your state’s health department to move cancer patients to the front of the vaccine line. “Fill, click, send!“

CLL Society Official Statements

CLL Society has authored Official Statements to help you help your healthcare providers understand CLL patients’ unique vulnerabilities to COVID-19 and our higher risks of serious complications.

CLL Society COVID-19 Virtual Community Meetings

Thanks to all who attended our Virtual Community Meetings! In case you couldn’t make it or would like to review the discussions again, we’ve provided convenient links to our archives below.

Past archived meetings:

Managing COVID-19 Re-Entry

Watch this expert video series as Dr. Koffman speaks with CLL doctors on topics such as educating the household, managing re-entry for high risk/exposure workers, the use of masks, and more.

COVID-19 Updates

When appropriate, the CLL Society will be posting updates and background information on the present Coronavirus pandemic focusing on reliable primary sources of information and avoiding most of the news that is not directly from reliable medical experts or government and world health agencies.

Monoclonal Antibodies for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Other High-Risk Patients Who Test Positive for COVID-19
CLL Society Quoted by CNN: Are Covid-19 vaccines safe for cancer patients? Here is what cancer experts say by Lauren Kent, CNN
NCCN: Cancer and COVID-19 Vaccination
ERIC’s Official Statement: SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Patients with CLL
COVID Patient Support Program Extension: Free Medication from Bristol Myer Squibb (BMS)Dr. Rick Furman on CLL patients and Vaccinations to Prevent COVID-19

The Big Picture: Comments, Coping Strategies, and Musing on COVID-19

This medical pandemic may bring light to some corners of our society, our health systems, and own psyches that are used to living in the dark. And that is a good thing.

Ask the Experts about Coronavirus

We are very grateful to Dr. Furman for his generosity in answering the many questions he receives. We also are thankful to have Tom Henry for pharmacy questions, Dr. Susan Leclair for all things lab, and Dr. Ed Ratner for your questions re: palliative and end of life care. Have a question? Scroll to the CLL Toolbox section at bottom of this page and choose the appropriate button.

Remember that we cannot give medical advice and any suggestions should be reviewed with your treating doctors.

CLL Society Postponements or Rescheduling

We continue to diligently monitor the evolving issues related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Out of an abundance of caution, CLL Society canceled all live events, both support group meetings and educational programs beginning in March 2020. Support group meetings and educational programs have been moved to a virtual format. Please check the links below to find meetings and events that you can participate in, virtually.

Expert Access Program

Telemedicine is a great tool to receive a second opinion without going to the hospital or your doctor’s office. You can see an expert CLL physician, at no cost, for a second opinion using our easy online platform, apply here. This program is open to all U.S. patients with a CLL diagnosis. If you have used the program before, you may reapply if you need new clinical advice.