We're Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to Support Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

On January 16, New Jersey-based executive Marty Murphy, director of patient education, CURE/OncLive, for CURE Media Group, along with a 15-person team of multiple myeloma survivors, doctors and supporters, will begin to climb the famed 19,341-foot Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa.

Dubbed Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma, the planned 11-day expedition will see the team climb through five different ecosystems, enduring the effects of high elevation, altitude sickness, sub-zero temperatures and occasional high winds, all to raise awareness of multiple myeloma research and funds for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma, which has already raised more than $200,000 to date, is a collaboration between CURE Media Group, Takeda Oncology and the MMRF.

“Like so many people in the world who have been directly and indirectly affected by cancer, both my father and uncle are cancer survivors, and my parents have published several oncology journals for nearly two decades,” said Murphy, who was an integral part of the climb’s origins. “Personally, this climb allows me to honor all of them, while also helping to raise awareness and funds for multiple myeloma research. The 19,341-foot climb epitomizes the path that many with myeloma face each day, and it’s thrilling and amazing to be climbing with four myeloma survivors.”

Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer of the blood that carries only a 46.6 percent chance of survival beyond five years, according to the National Cancer Institute. While great progress has been made in recent years to develop novel treatments, continuous research funding is needed to get to the ultimate goal: a cure. Every dollar raised by the Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma team will go to MMRF efforts to accelerate research for next-generation treatments. The MMRF brings treatments to multiple myeloma patients 60 percent faster than normal through collaboration with best-in-class partners around the world.

“While there has been significant progress by the oncology community in the fight against cancer, there are no cures yet,” said Murphy. “Every chance to increase awareness and funds is an opportunity to possibly help extend and improve the lives of cancer patients worldwide.”

To learn more about Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma, the climbers and to donate, visit movingmountainsformultiplemyeloma.com. The story of the climb and climbers will also be captured in a documentary video, and live updates from the climb will be available on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About CURE Media Group

Combining science and humanity to make cancer understandable, CURE Media Group’s flagship product, CURE® magazine, is the indispensable guide to every stage of the cancer experience. With nearly 1 million readers, CURE is the largest U.S. consumer publication focused entirely on cancer, with broad distribution to cancer patients, cancer centers and advocacy groups. CURE Media Group’s offerings also include its online resource, curetoday.com; live meetings; a resource guide for the newly diagnosed; and the Extraordinary Healer™ national nursing award. It also offers CURE Connections, a video platform designed specifically for patients with cancer, featuring information, stories, advice about the cancer journey and subscription options to receive updates. Cure Media Group is part of Michael J. Hennessy Associates, Inc., a full-service healthcare communications company offering education, research, medical media and the acclaimed OncLive platform of resources for the practicing oncologist.

About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) was established in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit 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 more than $300 million since its inception and directs nearly 90 percent of its 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.

About Takeda Oncology

Takeda Oncology is the brand for the global oncology business unit of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. We aspire to cure cancer by delivering novel medicines to meet the unique and urgent needs of people living with cancer, their loved ones and the health care providers who support them around the world. Additional information about Takeda Oncology is available at takedaoncology.com.