The IMF’s 15th Annual Gala Celebrates the Tapestry of the Myeloma Community
Nearly $700,000 raised to benefit the Peter Boyle Research Fund and the IMF’s robust research, education, support, and advocacy programs
By Sylvia Dsouza, IMF Vice President, Development
In April 2024, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) held our 15th Annual Gala to benefit the Peter R. Boyle Research Fund and the IMF’s research programs. Named in honor of beloved actor who lost his battle with myeloma in 2006, the Peter Boyle Research Fund was established in 2007 to support groundbreaking, cure-focused myeloma research initiatives, such as the IMF’s Black Swan Research Initiative® (BSRI®). Peter’s wife, Loraine Alterman Boyle is a member of the IMF Board of Directors and the IMF Gala Committee Chair.
Our Gala host, the renowned actor and comedian Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), was joined onstage by award-winning artists: comedian and singer Robert Klein and actor Tony Danza, with the special participation of actress and film producer Patricia Heaton and actress and model Alex Meneses.
The 2024 IMF Gala took the tradition of an annual fundraiser and reinvented it for a new era. It was a dynamic, forward-looking event that seamlessly blended the IMF’s long-standing commitment to funding the most promising and innovative myeloma research with the joyfully enthusiastic Comedy Celebration of years past. The 2024 Gala celebration was held at the historic Edison Ballroom in New York City.
During his opening remarks, IMF President & CEO Yelak Biru delivered a powerful message: “We are a tapestry woven from patients, caregivers, researchers, doctors, supporters, and industry partners – all united by the same unwavering purpose – to conquer myeloma.” Yelak shared that he felt a “mix of emotions” as he recalled being diagnosed with myeloma at the age of 25 and how this diagnosis “forever altered” the course of his life. “Cancer. Incurable. Two-to-three years to live. Dead before the age of 30. These were the phrases I heard in that cold winter of 1995. By the grace of God and the innovation of science, that was 28 years ago.”
Yelak credits his survival journey to finding a “beacon of hope” in the IMF. “At the IMF, we have always placed patients at the center of everything we do. It’s more than just a mantra; it’s the very foundation upon which this organization was built. Here, patients aren’t just statistics; they’re individuals with stories, dreams, and a fierce will to live. We empower them to become active participants in their own treatment journeys. After all, it’s their lives we’re fighting for. The battle rages on and the need for continued progress is urgent!”
In 1990, the IMF was founded upon four pillars: Research, Education, Support, and Advocacy. For more than 30 years, the IMF has been the driving force to find a cure for myeloma. The IMF’s strategic partnerships are accelerating the work to find a cure for myeloma. We lead with innovation as we incorporate data and technology in sound decision-making and user-friendly interface in patient care. We reduce barriers to healthcare access and support marginalized and underrepresented communities. Yelak closed his speech with this sentiment: “This annual Gala isn’t just a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of our collective will.”
One highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony, which honored the IMF’s partner organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to the myeloma community.
Innovation Awards
The IMF Innovation Award recognizes a pharmaceutical company that demonstrates exceptional dedication to developing novel therapies, advancing clinical research, and fostering patient-centric care by developing therapies and offering robust patient support programs in myeloma.
Bristol Myers Squibb and 2seventy bio were recognized for their groundbreaking research methods that led to the development of Abecma® (idecabtagene vicleucel or “ide-cel”), a life-changing third-line treatment for myeloma patients whose other options have been exhausted.
The 2024 Innovation Award were presented by Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar (IMF Chairperson of the Board) and Tom Bellfort (Myeloma Patient & Advocate) to Dr. Samit Hirawat (BMS Executive VP, Chief Medical Officer, Drug Development) and Chip Baird (2seventy bio CEO), who received the awards on behalf of their organizations.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Award
The inaugural IMF Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Award recognizes the critical importance of health disparities, especially in myeloma. Tyrone Brewer (Johnson & Johnson President of U.S. Hematology) accepted the award on behalf of Johnson & Johnson: “This is incredibly meaningful given my personal values, the work we are committed to every day at Johnson & Johnson, and the mission of the IMF. That’s why the work we do at Johnson & Johnson to advocate for diversity and justice, through Our Race to Health Equity initiatives, is so important. We are committed to creating a world where your identity is not a determinant of your access to care, the quality of your care, or your health outcomes. At Johnson & Johnson, we’re looking at all factors that impact quality of care, and we’re looking to empower patients on all fronts to take charge of their health.”
The award was presented by Dr. Joseph R. Mikhael (IMF Chief Medical Officer) and Oya Gilbert (Myeloma and Patient Advocate).
Partner of the Year Award
The IMF Partner of the Year Award recognizes an organization that significantly contributes to the IMF’s vision of creating a world where every myeloma patient can live to the fullest, unburdened by the disease. Rajan Sethuraman (LatentView Analytics CEO) accepted the award: “I want to thank the IMF for this recognition. Through this collaboration, we have reduced the ‘time to hope’ for patients diagnosed with myeloma using data to reduce the time between diagnosis and choosing a treatment plan, significantly improving outcomes and lives.”
The award was presented by Sanjay Singh (IMF Board of Directors) and Kent Oliver (Myeloma Patient & Advocate).
Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar emphasized the importance of continued innovation and collaboration: “We have made major advances in myeloma through close collaborations between researchers, pharmaceutical companies, patients, and nonprofit foundations. The IMF 15th Annual Gala was a huge success – celebrating the remarkable progress we have made and highlighting our continued commitment to research and to patients worldwide,”
The IMF 15th Annual Gala was designed with the vision of taking the organization into the next era of innovation and collaboration. The IMF exists because we help patients and care partners find their way, as they go through their own myeloma journeys. Patients and care partners turn to us at the most vulnerable time of their lives, looking for answers. We give them HOPE and a REASON to continue to fight their battle against myeloma by showing them that it is possible to live and thrive. However, the IMF cannot do this alone.
The gala was a testament to the strong partnerships, collaborative mindset and spirit, and innovative thinking that the IMF has established with the myeloma community. We need philanthropy to help us be big and bold with research and to bring moonshot ideas to life. Science and research require money and, without funding, a cure for myeloma will remain elusive. The gala’s success brought us closer to our goals, and we are excited to continue to advance and scale in our mission!
The annual gala is our signature fundraising event to support our Research pillar. It brings together the myeloma medical and scientific community with myeloma patients and advocates, and industry partners and entertainment luminaries. It is always an unforgettable evening of celebration.
The IMF extends its very special thanks to Gala Chair Loraine Alterman Boyle and to Ray Romano for their unwavering support of the Gala and the IMF. We also thank Gala Vice-Chairs Laurie Kuzneski, Carol Klein, and Kimberly Alexander and Honorary Chairs Anna & Ray Romano, as well as members of the Gala Honorary Committee: Joe Armstrong, Amy Boyle, Lucy Boyle, Tom Brokaw, Ebs Burnough, Judy Collins, Blythe Danner, Tom Fontana, Barbara Freitag, Brad Garrett, Mark & Marilou Hamill, Anne Hearst & Jay McInerney, Patricia Heaton, Jason Katz, Alex Meneses, Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar, Desiree Rogers, Phil & Monica Rosenthal, Slava Rubin, Lisa Schultz & Dr. Ezriel Kornel, Stu Smiley & Lisa Doty, Otis Williams, and Alfre Woodard.
The IMF is grateful to the Gala honorees and attendees, and to our generous sponsors: Sanofi (Silver Level); Loraine Alterman Boyle, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Kite Pharma, Benson & Carol Klein, Leanne Klein, Medscape Oncology, Mount Sinai, Charles & Sharon Newman, Pfizer Inc., Rosenthal Family Foundation, and Takeda Oncology (Bronze Level).
(This article was published in the 2024 Summer Edition of the IMF's quarterly publication, Myeloma Today. Read the full publication here.)