CRANBURY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To raise funds and awareness, a team of 18 individuals, including four patients, will take on an epic journey hiking Mount Everest base camp from Oct. 26 to Nov. 8. The trek is part of the Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma (MM4MM) joint initiative between the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), CURE Media Group, and is sponsored by Amgen.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with MMRF and Amgen for this adventurous hike that brings together individuals from different backgrounds with a shared passion to cure multiple myeloma,” said Michael J. Hennessy Jr., president of MJH Associates Inc., parent company of CURE Media Group. “Supporting these fundraising challenges is consistent with CURE Media Group’s long-standing mission to empower patients.”
All proceeds from the Mount Everest Base Camp trek, MM4MM’s 10th expedition, will support the MMRF’s efforts to accelerate the development of multiple myeloma treatments. Since its inception in 2016, MM4MM Program has raised $1.9 million by completing a total of 10 expeditions, spanning five continents.
“As a patient founded organization, the MMRF stands together with those who are battling multiple myeloma – patients, families, physicians, researchers, and our pharmaceutical partners. This team represents a microcosm of that myeloma community and demonstrates that together, we can collaborate with ever increasing momentum towards a cure,” said Paul Giusti, CEO of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. “We are thrilled to enter the third year of this inspiring program and to have Amgen join us in this effort to raise awareness and critical funds to continue our mission.”
During the awe-inspiring nine-day hike, participants will journey through Nepal’s Khumbu region, where they will experience close-up views of dozens of Himalayan giants. Hikers will also go across several dramatic suspension bridges and rest in primitive Nepalese teahouses. Participants will also experience Sherpa culture and the assistance of friendly herds of yaks.
The team includes four patients living with multiple myeloma:
- Joe Beeler of Broomfield, CO, received a diagnosis of multiple myeloma in January 2016. He experienced severe challenges after contracting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, with no white blood cells to fight the infection. After going through therapy, Beeler said, he is ready to take on this challenge to share his experience, strength and hope with myeloma patients everywhere. His son Trevor will join him during this hike.
- Jim Detwiler of Union, Kentucky, considered himself a “lucky catch,” he said, when testing for a suspected food allergy led to a diagnosis of asymptomatic multiple myeloma. An educator of over 20 years, Detwiler was inspired by his students to go on his hike and aims to bring hope to others facing similar circumstances.
- Pierre Jambon of Akron, Ohio, received a diagnosis of multiple myeloma in 2017, after he experienced an unusual dip in hemoglobin levels. Now in remission, Jambon is thrilled to challenge himself once again, he said. His wife will join him on the hike.
- Jeff Stiles of Kodak, Tennessee, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2014. Since then, he has gone through therapy. By hiking to the base of Mount Everest, Stiles said, he hopes to inspire others to climb their own mountains.
“We applaud the efforts of the Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma team as they take on this challenging and truly inspiring journey to reach the Mount Everest base camp,” said Christophe Bourdon, vice president and general manager Oncology Business Unit at Amgen. “At Amgen, we are dedicated to advancing multiple myeloma research. We also recognize that reaching new heights in the fight against multiple myeloma is a team effort, and we are proud to be part of this initiative with the MMRF and CURE.”
To learn more about MM4MM and to donate to this team, please visit https://www.movingmountainsformultiplemyeloma.com/kalapathhar18.
About Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma
Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma (MM4MM) is a collaboration between CURE Media Group and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) to raise awareness and funds for myeloma research. In 2018, Amgen and Celgene Corporation joined the effort as sponsors. To date, the program has raised over $1.9 million for myeloma research through 10 climbs that included 46 patients living with myeloma. Funds raised by MM4MM endeavors go directly to research, supporting the MMRF 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 receive diagnoses this year, and 12,600 people are predicted to die from the disease.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
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 the lives of patients. 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 has created the only end-to-end solution in precision medicine and the single largest genomic data set in all cancers. The MMRF continues to disrupt the industry today, as a pioneer and leader at the helm of new research efforts. Since its inception, the organization has raised over $400 million and directs nearly 90% of the total funds to research and related programs. To learn more, visit www.themmrf.org.
About CURE Media Group
CURE Media Group is the leading 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. CURE Media Group is part of the Cranbury, New Jersey-based MJH Associates Inc. family of businesses, which includes the acclaimed OncLive® (http://www.www.onclive.com) platform of resources for the practicing oncologist. For more information, visit http://www.curetoday.com or http://www.mjhassoc.com.
