Cancer.Net Editor-in-Chief
Lymphoma Research Foundation

Diane S. Blum is the Chief Executive Officer for the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF). Prior to joining LRF in 2010, Ms. Blum served as Executive Director for CancerCare, Inc. for 20 years where she previously acted as director of social service. Preceding CancerCare, Ms. Blum served as a social work supervisor at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. 

Co-founder of the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations, Ms. Blum is a founder of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, serves on committees of ASCO and the National Cancer Institute, and is a member of the editorial boards of four oncology-related publications.

Ms. Blum's awards include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Board of Sponsors of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Special Recognition Award from the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, the Republic Bank Breast Cancer Research Foundation Award, and the Special Recognition Award from ASCO.  Ms. Blum also received the 2009 Partners in Progress Award from ASCO that honors the “accomplishments of patient advocates whose work has increased public awareness about cancer and its causes, cures, and treatment.”  In particular, the award recognized Ms. Blum's 30 years of work to help patients and their families overcome the financial, educational, and emotional hurdles that accompany a cancer diagnosis.

Ms. Blum has written and lectured extensively about the psychosocial needs of patients and their families.  Her research has been published in a variety of medical journals including the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, and The Annals of Internal Medicine. Ms. Blum received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester and a Master's degree from the School of Social Welfare at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Last Updated: November 07, 2011