[October 23, 2014]

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Team for Cures Supports Extending Lives

More than 1,200 patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals will gather at Memorial Hall - Fairmont Park on November 8 to take part in the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Team for Cures: Philadelphia, PA, 5K Walk/Run. The Honorary Chair of the event is Dr. Edward Stadtmauer, with the Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Stadtmauer, who is also the Chief of Hematologic Malignancies and the Director of the Myeloma Program at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, will kick-off opening ceremonies at 8:00 AM.

"Major advances in the treatment of myeloma have been made over the past decade," said Dr. Stadtmauer. "The MMRF has raised the awareness of myeloma for the entire medical community and has funded substantial clinical and laboratory research that has to a real extent driven these advances."

The MMRF Race for Research Series is held annually in seven cities across the country. Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company is the national presenting sponsor of the program. The family friendly 5K walk/run helps raise awareness as well as funding for multiple myeloma research. Participation in the events offers an opportunit for camaraderie and knowledge sharing for patients, patient family members, friends, and members of the myeloma community. This inspiring and fun filled event will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2014, from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM.

"The MMRF Race for Research program is a gateway for myeloma patients, family, and friends to connect and make an impact on expediting new treatments and ultimately finding a cure for this disease," said Brittany English, MMRF Race Manager. "The funds participants raise helps to prolong patient lives and serves as a major impact in the fight against cancer. Collectively participants are making an extremely powerful and essential contribution to the crucial work of the MMRF."

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cell. It is the second most common blood cancer. An estimated 24,050 adults (13,500 men and 10,550 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2014 and an estimated 11,090 people are predicted to die from the disease. The five-year survival rate for multiple myeloma is approximately 43%, versus 28% in 1998.

About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) was established in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by twin sisters Karen Andrews and Kathy Giusti, soon after Kathy's diagnosis with multiple myeloma. The mission of the MMRF is to relentlessly pursue innovative means that accelerate the development of next-generation multiple myeloma treatments to extend the lives of patients and lead to a cure. As the world's number-one private funder of multiple myeloma research, the MMRF has raised $250 million since its inception and directs nearly 90% of total budget to research and related programming. As a result, the MMRF has been awarded Charity Navigator's coveted four-star rating for 11 consecutive years, the highest designation for outstanding fiscal responsibility and exceptional efficiency. For more information about the MMRF, please visit: www.themmrf.org.

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