Each year, March 1 marks the start of Myeloma Action Month; during this month, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) encourages people to get involved, share stories, raise awareness and funds, and take other actions to positively affect those living with myeloma. The IMF is hoping to work towards preventative measures, as well as a cure—and needs your help to do so!
In a news release published by Benzinga, the IMF encourages people to get involved with Myeloma Action Month in a more concrete way: by sharing stories! The IMF is using the hashtag #MYelomaSTORY (on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) this month to amplify the stories of those who live with multiple myeloma. By looking through those hashtags, you can also find and share stories that resonate with you. At the end of the month, these stories will also be highlighted on the Myeloma Action Month website.
Outside of sharing stories, there are multiple other ways to get involved and engaged this month. Check out a few ideas below!
Join the Movement
So if you’re looking to raise awareness of multiple myeloma this month, or even learn more about this condition, here are some ways that you can join in:
- Watch this video, which provides one-word descriptions of their myeloma journey from patients across the globe.
- Donate. Donating to the IMF helps to support multiple initiatives, from increased education and awareness to research and advocacy. The IMF provides helpful resources to patients and caregivers, so your donation helps directly support their mission.
- Participate in information programs or activities. You can visit the in-person IMF Patient and Family Seminar in Boca Raton, FL (but make sure to register!) on March 17-18; a live Q&A session from the IMF’s CMO at 7pm ET on March 22; or the free M-Power Community Workshop in Charlotte, NC on April 1 that focuses on health empowerment and multiple myeloma within the African American community.
- Get involved in the month-long Wellness Challenge, which you can learn more about here.
- Share on social media. Even if you are not personally affected by multiple myeloma, you can still amplify awareness by sharing these facts and statistics collected within the IMF’s Social Media Toolkit.
- Get creative! The best thing about advocacy and awareness is that you can make it your own. Want to contact the media? Do it (and use this press release as a helpful guide). Want to encourage increased awareness and education? Send this letter to doctors in your area. You can also hold a local fundraiser, ask your school or job to do a presentation on multiple myeloma, or anything else that you can think of!
What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a rare cancer that begins in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that normally helps the body to fight infections. Doctors are not entirely sure what causes multiple myeloma. However, they have found that many myeloma cells are missing part or all of chromosome 13. In this cancer, abnormal (cancerous) cells crowd healthy cells out of the bone marrow and create abnormal antibodies called M proteins. This cancer may not show symptoms in early stages. As symptoms develop, they may include:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Fatigue
- Frequent or recurrent infections
- Bone pain (often in the spine or chest)
- Appetite loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Mental fogginess/confusion
- Excessive thirst
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Hypercalcemia (high calcium levels)
- Weakness or numbness in the lower extremities
Therapeutic options for multiple myeloma include immunomodulators, proteasome inhibitors, HDAC inhibitors, steroids, and chemotherapy, among others. Learn more.
