Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma Program to Climb Mount Washington
As part of a fundraising effort by Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma (MM4MM), 22 individuals will take on a challenging climb up Mount Washington from June 28 to 30.
As part of a fundraising effort by Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma
(MM4MM), 22 individuals will take on a challenging climb up Mount
Washington from June 28 to 30. MM4MM is a joint initiative by the
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, CURE Media Group and Celgene Corp.
The upcoming climb will include patients, caregivers, team members from
the organizing partners and myeloma nurses and doctors.
Since the MM4MM program began with its first climb in 2016, the program
has raised $2.4 million. The funds that are raised go directly to
support the MMRF’s unique Precision Medicine Model, which promises
delivery of tailored cancer treatments based on a patient’s genetic
profile.
“We are so proud that, going into our 4th year of the Moving
Mountains for Multiple Myeloma program has brought together the myeloma
community, including 55 patients, to climb some of the most epic peaks
and treks in the world, raising awareness, research funding and hope for
myeloma patients. This program symbolizes the progress that is being
made in myeloma and demonstrates how patients are living longer, more
full lives, able to take on activities and challenges that they could
not have imagined when they heard the words, “you have cancer”, states
Alicia O’Neill, director of Partnerships at the MMRF.
The Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma team will include a patient
living with multiple myeloma:
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Richard Bell is a 15-year multiple myeloma survivor. He was
diagnosed in 2004 after ignoring back pain for months until it
developed into lack of feeling and paralysis below the waist. After
diagnosis, Bell moved from England to California for radiation
treatment. He then returned to London and used his sister’s bone
marrow for a risky but very successful allogeneic transplant.
Following the transplant, Bell had total body irradiation, which has
led to his long remission.
“We are proud to be a part of this inspiring venture,” said Michael J.
Hennessy Jr., president of MJH Associates, Inc., parent company of CURE
Media Group. “This climb put on by Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma
gives hope and optimism to patients, survivors and caregivers while
raising sufficient funds toward multiple myeloma research.”
The team will take on Mount Washington, the highest peak in the
northeastern United States and the most prominent east of the
Mississippi River, at 6,288 feet above sea level. On this full-day hike,
the team will climb over 4,000 feet. After enjoying the view and
reveling in their accomplishment at the summit of the mountain, they
will continue their trek to the Lake of the Clouds Hut, nestled in the
side of the mountain, where they will enjoy a celebration dinner and
spend the night. On Sunday, the team will retrace their steps down the
mountain to conclude their journey.
“Celgene, Cure and the MMRF are dedicated to improving the lives of
patients with multiple myeloma and we are very proud to be a part of the
Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma initiative,” said Chad Saward,
senior director, patient advocacy at Celgene Corp. “We are inspired by
all who are participating in this amazing program.”
To learn more about MM4MM and to donate to multiple myeloma research,
click here.
About Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma
Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma is a collaboration between CURE
Media Group and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation to raise
awareness and funds for myeloma research. This year, Amgen and Celgene
Corp. join the effort as sponsors. In addition to Mount Washington, the
program will also lead a hike through Patagonia in 2019. To date, MM4MM
has raised over $2 million for myeloma research and included 34 myeloma
patients on seven climbs. Funds raised go directly to research,
supporting the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s mission. For more
information, visit https://www.themmrf.org/events/.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cell, is the second-most-common
blood cancer. An estimated 30,000 adults will be diagnosed this year,
and 12,600 people are predicted to die from the disease.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
The mission of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is to
find a cure for multiple myeloma by relentlessly pursuing innovation
that accelerates the development of next-generation treatments to extend
patients’ lives. Founded in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
by Kathy Giusti, a patient with multiple myeloma, and her twin sister,
Karen Andrews, the MMRF is a world-recognized leader in cancer research.
Together with its partners, the MMRF created the only end-to-end
solution in precision medicine and the single largest genomic data set
in all cancers. As a pioneer and leader at the helm of new research
efforts, the MMRF continues to disrupt the industry. Since its
inception, the organization has raised more than $400 million and
directs nearly 90% of the total funds to research and related programs.
To learn more, visit http://www.themmrf.org.
About CURE Media Group
CURE Media Group is the leading multimedia resource for cancer updates,
research and education. It combines a full suite of media products,
including its industry-leading website, CUREtoday.com;
innovative video programs, such as “CURE Connections®”; a series of
widely attended live events; and CURE® magazine, which reaches
over 1 million readers, as well as the dynamic website for oncology
nurses, OncNursingNews.com,
and its companion publication, Oncology
Nursing News®. CURE Media Group is part of the Cranbury, New
Jersey-based MJH Associates, Inc., family of businesses, which includes
the acclaimed OncLive®platform of resources for the practicing oncologist. For more
information, visit http://www.curetoday.com
and http://www.mjhassoc.com.
About Celgene
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an
integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the
discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for
the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through
next-generation solutions in protein homeostasis, immuno-oncology,
epigenetics, immunology and neuro-inflammation. For more information,
please visit www.celgene.com.
Follow Celgene on Social Media: @Celgene,
LinkedIn
and Facebook
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