IMF gala expected to raise $400,000 for advanced myleoma research

The International Myeloma Foundation—conducting research and providing education, advocacy, and support for myeloma patients, families, researchers, and physicians – announced that it expects to raise $400,000 at its 15th annual “Ribbon of Hope Gala,” today at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The theme of this year’s Gala will be “Lights, Camera, Cure!” Robert Klein—actor, comedian, director, composer, and author—will provide the featured entertainment. Master of Ceremonies will be television host Robin Leach.

Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer after lymphomas, affecting more than 250,000 people worldwide and its prevalence is increasing. Until recently it was inevitably fatal, but myeloma research is helping lead the new direction of cancer treatment—although there is currently no cure for myeloma, it is an eminently treatable disease allowing patients to live longer and productive lives.

Proceeds from the gala will be used in part to support the ground-breaking research of the evening’s honoree, David B. Agus, M.D., a nationally prominent researcher at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Agus’ work in the growing field of proteomics is helping to advance personalized medicine, tailoring treatments to individual patients. Funds will also be used to support the Myeloma Foundation’s “Bank on a Cure®,” the first global DNA bank dedicated to applying the new knowledge of the human genome to the advanced study of multiple myeloma.

“Since starting the International Myeloma Foundation 15 years ago, we are proud to have raised nearly thirty million dollars for research and patient education,” said Susie Novis, president of the International Myeloma Foundation. “The pharmaceutical and medical advances in myeloma have had a significant impact. Some of the myeloma patients who started with us are still alive today, which would have been unimaginable when we began back in
1990.”

Added Brian G. M. Durie, M.D., Myeloma Foundation chairman, “These advances encourage us to move ahead, but the relapse rate remains high, so there is much work to be done. Our collaboration with Dr. Agus will help us understand why many patients are still left behind despite these advances in treatment and care.”

Multiple myeloma is often treated with bone marrow transplants as well as a variety of pharmaceuticals. Thalidomide is the most widely prescribed treatment for myeloma. Don Baylor and Mel Stottlemyre, both former Major League Baseball coaches and players continued their coaching after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Actor Roy Scheider is reported to have myeloma, as does Geraldine Ferraro the first woman to run for Vice President of the United States who is a long time myeloma survivor.