MMRF Accelerator Magazine Summer 2018 Edition | Page 17

GOING TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH TO DRIVE CRITICAL RESEARCH This past March, our seventh Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma (MM4MM) team braved weather, altitude and exhausting days to climb to the doorstep of the world’s tallest mountain, reaching Everest Base Camp. Eighteen hikers, including seven patients and two multiple myeloma doctors, embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. To date, the Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma program has raised more than $1.7 million, all of which goes directly to the MMRF to fund critical research. The program has engaged a total of 134 supporters, including 36 multiple myeloma patients, eight myeloma doctors, five myeloma clinical trial managers and two nurses, in addition to countless patient family members. Also included on each climb are representatives from our pharma partners, Amgen, Celgene and Takeda Oncology, as well as CURE Media and the MMRF. a cce l e rat o r • Su m m e r 2 0 18 The MM4MM team raises funds, awareness and hope. Patient team members are living proof of the progress being made in myeloma and are able to demonstrate to themselves and to others that patients are living longer and able to take on their dreams. “This incredible effort demonstrates how we are willing to go to the ends of the earth to fund critical research and get to a cure,” explained team member and myeloma doctor Saad Usmani, MD, of Levine Cancer Center. The MMRF is grateful for the support of Takeda Oncology, our partner for the first seven treks in 2016 and 2017. Celgene and Amgen began their relationship as sponsors of this program in 2018. This year, we traveled to Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon and will head to Iceland for a “Fire + Ice Trek” and finally back to Everest Base Camp for a second epic hike. Stay tuned for news about our upcoming hikes in 2019!! MovingMountainsForMultipleMyeloma.com 17