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 meetings
Wednesday, September 9th, at 1 pm eastern Register >>
Thursday, November 12th, at 1 pm eastern Register >>
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.
In May 2025, we hosted our first educational webinar in Spanish with Dr. Jacqueline Barrientos from Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami.
Your Story Matters
We hope these shared experiences remind you that you are not alone.
“Seek reliable information and connect with others who have the same diagnosis.”
Benjamin
“I have received a great deal of information from the Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation.”
Patricia
“My experience shows how difficult it can be for families to understand a disease they cannot see.”
Gina Alejandra
“I told a newly diagnosed patient to remain calm because HCL is treatable.”
Mario
“Clear information can help reduce the uncertainty and worry that accompany a diagnosis.”
Tadeo
“I received vemurafenib with rituximab. I chose this chemotherapy-free treatment because it was promising and could contribute to long-term research.”
Gerardo
Read their full stories and discover more stories from the HCL community on our Patient Stories page. Click here
Listening to Our Hispanic & Latino Community
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 and Latino HCL patients and families to better understand their unique challenges, unmet needs, and lived experiences. These conversations provided valuable insights that will continue to shape HCLF’s efforts to develop more accessible, culturally relevant resources, programs, and services for Hispanic and Latino patients and their families.
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.
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.
HCLF Web Resources
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. >>
Questions to Ask Your Doctor: The toolkit will help guide your conversations with your healthcare providers. Learn more.>>
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. >>
Expert Knowledge
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. >>
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 Patient Engagement & Insights