March is Myeloma Action Month

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) — improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure — is harnessing the energy of patient advocates to raise awareness of the disease during the organization’s 2017 Myeloma Action Month campaign, starting March 1.

Myeloma, a cancer of the blood plasma cells that affects approximately 90,000 people in the U.S., is the second most common blood cancer. Yet, because it is a relatively unknown cancer, myeloma can go undiagnosed until the disease begins to seriously damage health. With more treatment options available than ever, an early diagnosis is vital for achieving the best outcome for patients.

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The IMF is the oldest and largest foundation focusing specifically on multiple myeloma. Its reach extends to more than 450,000 members in 140 countries worldwide, and the organization’s key message is “knowledge is power.” IMF President and Co-Founder Susie Novis Durie acknowledges, “The IMF is proud to see advocates — patients, caregivers and community supporters — taking charge with actions that will increase awareness of myeloma across the United States and around the world.”

During Myeloma Action Month, the IMF and its army of patient advocates will partner to increase myeloma awareness on multiple fronts. The organization invites all advocates to join in by:

• Participating in a patient advocacy letter-writing campaign
• Using the hashtag #IMFmam on Twitter and Facebook
• Changing your Facebook image and Twitter image to the MAM logo
• Contributing a public service announcement (PSA) to your local radio station
• Writing an article for your local newspaper about myeloma
• Posting the IMF Myeloma Action Month flyer in your neighborhood.

Robin Tuohy, Senior Director, Support Groups, notes that “The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) and our supporters work tirelessly and passionately to increase awareness of myeloma to align with our core mission: ‘Knowledge is Power.’ The IMF is harnessing the energy of patient advocates to raise awareness of myeloma during our 2017 Myeloma Action Month campaign. Each of our Actions together can help to save lives!”

For additional information about Myeloma Action Month, visit http://mam.myeloma.org/.

What's happening locally

The Central New Jersey Multiple Myeloma Support Group meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Steeplechase Cancer Center (Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset), at 7 p.m. in the first-floor meeting room. The address is 30 Rehill Ave., Somerville, NJ 08776. This is a very upbeat support group that not only share information with each other, but are fortunate to have knowledgeable speakers come and speak to them on various Myeloma topics once every three months or so.

Also, in September two members of the group help organize the Miracles for Myeloma 5K Walk/Run at Oak Ridge Park in Clark, New Jersey. Over the last four years, Miracles has raised over $343,000!  This money is given as a research grant to an individual researcher working to find a cure for Multiple Myeloma. The Miracles for Myeloma event is a day of inspiration, hope and fun as families and friends unite in a show of support for one another. 

Mark your calendars and join the Miracles for Myeloma 5K Walk/Run 2017, to be held on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. The support group welcomes prospective members with all stages of the disease, as well as caregivers and/or family members.  You can also follow the group on Facebook or check the group out at centralnj.support.myeloma.org or email them at centralnj@imfsupport.org.