In 1952, Harry and Sylvia Brown were still mourning the loss of their young daughter who died of leukemia four years before. The reality of her illness was devastating. Even more leveling was struggling through their uncertainty, anxiety and worry without support or guidance. In bonding with other families who had also lost a child to blood cancer, the Browns vowed that no one else would have to walk that road alone, and founded Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan (CLF) in their daughter’s memory.

Soon after, in 1957, CLF expanded services to patients with other types of blood cancer throughout Michigan, including adults (which now make up most new blood cancer diagnoses, and are more than 75 percent of our service base). We also began to fully recognize the impact these diseases have on the whole family when any member is diagnosed.

In 2020, CLF began delivering services under the new name The Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan (BCFM) – a name that reflects our broader mission and focus, which is to support any patient or family member in Michigan affected by any type of blood cancer or precancerous blood condition, including many types of leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood related diseases. In fact, BCFM offers support for nearly 200 diseases in the blood cancer family.

The Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan is a non-profit organization that has been dedicated to addressing the emotional, financial, and social needs of patients and families affected by blood cancer across Michigan for nearly 70 years. Master’s level professionals personalize critical education and support services to each patient and family member, elevating their ability to cope and heal – from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. Today, we serve more than 2,800 patients and 8,700 family members across the state. And, since our first year of service delivery, we have supported more than 30,000 patients, and untold members of their families.

The Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan is proud to be among only a quarter of rated charities at charitynavigator.org, who have received the maximum 4-stars for strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. The organization earned a 2021 Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by GuideStar, showcasing the progress and results made toward its mission.