Hispanic & Latino HCL Patients and Families
The Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation (HCLF) is committed to supporting Hispanic & Latino HCL patients and their families through education and community engagement. We are actively listening and learning to better serve their needs.
Meetings and Community Engagement
Community Roundtables in Spanish
Roundtables are moderated discussions on Zoom that provide peer-to-peer support to patients with HCL and their families. Each roundtable meeting is facilitated by HCLF staff and volunteers.
Upcoming
June 7, 2025 - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Eastern time
Educational Webinars in Spanish
We host a regular webinar where hematologists with significant expertise in this rare disease provide an overview of HCL diagnosis and treatment.
Upcoming
Speaker: Dr. Jacqueline Barrientos, Mount Sinai Medical Center
Date and Time: May 21, 2025 - 2:00 to 3:00 PM Eastern time
Your Stories Matter
The impact of HCL varies among patients and their families, including in the Hispanic & Latino communities.
In late 2024, the HCLF conducted in-depth interviews with Hispanic & Latino HCL patients and families to better understand their unique challenges, unmet needs, and lived experiences. Through these conversations, we have learned valuable insights that will continue to shape our programs and services.
We extend heartfelt appreciation to everyone who participated in the in-depth interviews. Thank you!
Honoring the Legacy of Hispanics & Latinos in HCL:
Dr. Bertha Bouroncle
Dr. Bertha Bouroncle was born in Peru in September 1919. She was the only female in her 1947 medical school graduating class. After completing her medical studies in Peru, Dr. Bouroncle moved to the United States for postgraduate training, spending much of her career as faculty at The Ohio State University in Columbus. There, she made history in 1958 by first identifying Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL).
Bouroncle worked closely with Drs. Michael Grever and Eric Kraut to develop pentostatin, one of the first effective treatments for HCL. Pentostatin has helped to transform HCL, a once fatal blood cancer, into a highly treatable one, allowing most patients with HCL to have a relatively normal life span.
Connect with us!
We encourage patients and families to contact the Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation (HCLF)’s outreach staff for support and information.
Carlos Guerrero, Director of Multicultural Engagement
HCLF Web Resources
You can find numerous resources on the HCLF website, including some pages in Spanish.
Research and Clinical Trials
HCL Patient Data Registry: You can contribute to research and improved understanding of HCL by joining the Registry. Learn more. >>
Clinical Trials: There are numerous trials currently recruiting patients with classic HCL and HCL variant. Learn more. >>
Research: With support from patients and families, the HCLF funds leading research worldwide. Learn more. >>
Education and Support
Webinars and Community Roundtables: Register for educational webinars and peer-to-peer support programs. Learn more. >>
Evidence-based Information: Find up-to-date information about HCL diagnosis and treatment options. Learn more. >>
Stories from Patients
Empowerment: Read stories from other patients whose experiences may be similar to yours. Learn more. >>
Expert Knowledge
HCL Centers of Excellence: A network of leading researchers and hematologists worldwide with significant HCL expertise. Learn more. >>
Ask an Expert: Submit a question through the HCLF website and receive a tailored response. Learn more. >>
Donate
Support the critical mission of the HCLF with a donation. Click here. >>