M-Power New York Community Event On Health Empowerment.

Focusing on awareness of multiple myeloma in the African American community and living a healthier life. 

The M-Power Project realizes the IMF Diversity Initiative's vision, enhancing outcomes for African-American myeloma patients. Though the most common blood cancer in this group, with reduced barriers to diagnosis and treatment, they fare as well as or even better than white individuals. Empowering healthcare professionals, community leaders, neighborhoods, and families, M-Power raises myeloma awareness. 

Watch Recordings From the Event

The International Myeloma Foundation's M-Power Project Workshop for Health Equity in Myeloma in NY

The M-Power New York workshop took place at Riverside Church and Grace Baptist Church in New York, discussing multiple myeloma and its impact on the African-American community. It is organized by the International Myeloma Foundation in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The event aims to bridge the health disparity and empower people to make a change. The event is held at Riverside Church and Grace Baptist Church in New York, in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Joseph Mikhael, the Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation, serves as the host of the event.

 

IMF Patient, President & CEO: The Story of 28-Year Myeloma Survivor Yelak Biru

Yelak Biru, IMF President, and a 28-year myeloma survivor, delivers a heartfelt speech at Riverside and Grace Baptist churches during the Juneteenth weekend. He shares his background as a native of Ethiopia, highlighting the country's historical significance and its role as a possible origin of humanity. Yelak then recounts his journey with multiple myeloma, which started three months before his 26th birthday while he was in graduate school and newly married. Devastated by the prognosis that he had only two to three years to live, Yelak embarked on a comprehensive approach to combat the disease.

 

Myeloma Made Simple: Prevention, Screening, Risk Factors, MGUS, and Signs and Symptoms

Dr. Joseph Mikhael delivers an inspiring presentation about multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow. He discusses the basics of blood, explaining how it is an organ made up of cells and plasma, and emphasizes the significance of plasma cells, which produce antibodies that protect the body from infections. Dr. Mikhael reveals the challenges of myeloma, where the plasma cells start producing harmful antibodies and attacking vital organs like the kidneys and bones. He shares the progress made in myeloma treatment but acknowledges that a cure is yet to be achieved. The presentation also highlights the importance of a multi-disciplinary team approach to caring for myeloma patients, involving not only medical professionals but also care partners and the community. Dr. Mikhael emphasizes the need for early detection and discusses the increased risk of myeloma in the African-American community.

 

The Importance of Communication in Your Multiple Myeloma Care

Amy E. Pierre, RN, MSN, ANP-BC, shares valuable information about multiple myeloma and effective communication with healthcare teams. As a nurse practitioner at Memorial Sloan Kettering and a member of the nurse leadership board for the IMF, she emphasizes the importance of patient involvement in their care and how it can positively impact treatment outcomes. Amy encourages patients to spread knowledge about myeloma to family and friends, as awareness can lead to early screening and diagnosis. She highlights the two-pronged approach to myeloma management, which involves treating the disease itself and providing supportive therapies to address side effects.

 

Audience Q&A with Expert Panel NLB Member Amy E. Pierre; Dr. Joseph Mikhael; Yelak Biru

The Myeloma Expert Panel, featuring Amy Pierre, Dr. Joseph Mikhael, and Yelak Biru, provided valuable insights and information about multiple myeloma. The panel discussed various topics, including the link between myeloma and diabetes, different types of myeloma, the role of long-term medications in myeloma development, and the significance of holistic and complementary medicine in cancer treatment. Dr. Mikhael emphasized the need to treat the whole person rather than just the disease, acknowledging the importance of complementary therapies such as acupuncture and massage to manage side effects and improve patients' overall well-being. Additionally, the panel explained the stem cell transplant procedure and the significance of collecting and storing stem cells for potential future use in treating myeloma. The audience appreciated the valuable knowledge shared during the Q&A session, and the panelists highlighted the importance of patient-provider communication and personalized treatment approaches in managing myeloma effectively. Overall, the expert panel proved to be a significant and insightful session for everyone attending the event.

 

Race Matters in Multiple Myeloma Care and Survival with IMF CMO Dr. Joseph Mikhael

Dr. Joseph Mikhael delivered a presentation discussing the importance of addressing race and ethnicity in relation to multiple myeloma. He shared ten key facts that have driven the development of the M-Power program. Notably, myeloma is the most common blood cancer in African Americans, and its incidence is growing. African-American patients are diagnosed at a younger age than the overall average. The proportion of African-Americans with myeloma is significant, accounting for one in five patients in the country. However, there is a concerning disparity in survival rates, with African-American patients facing a significantly higher risk of dying from the disease than their white counterparts. This discrepancy is not due to aggressive biology, as African-Americans are less likely to have high-risk myeloma.

 

Dr. Saad Usmani Presents Myeloma Treatments: How Do We Treat Myeloma?

Dr. Saad Usmani discusses the natural history of plasma cell disorders and explains the need for personalized treatment plans based on patient goals. The primary objective is to achieve deep responses during the initial phase of treatment, ideally through induction therapy or stem cell transplant. He emphasizes the significance of minimal residual disease assessment to monitor the success of treatment. Dr. Usmani then delves into the advancements in myeloma treatment over the past four decades, moving away from traditional chemotherapy to combinations with novel therapies like proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs. However, the most exciting progress lies in harnessing the immune system through immunotherapies like monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and CAR T-cell therapy. He shares the promising results of immunotherapies, even in patients with advanced myeloma, leading to deep responses and potential cures. The ongoing clinical trials are exploring the use of immunotherapies in newly diagnosed patients. He highlights the significance of high-risk myeloma patients and the research focused on devising tailored treatment strategies for them.

 

Drs. Joseph Mikhael and Saad Usmani On Clinical Trials: Why Would I Participate?

Dr. Joseph Mikhael discusses the concept behind M-Power, which stands for "myeloma power." It's not just a play on words but a powerful mission to enhance short and long-term outcomes for African-American myeloma patients, who sadly face twice the risk and mortality compared to other ethnicities. Dr. Mikhael emphasizes the importance of engagement, education, and enhancement. The goal is to engage communities in understanding how myeloma impacts them, recognize early signs and symptoms, and promote early diagnosis. For primary care providers, education is crucial to ensure they know the signs and symptoms, as well as which tests to order for a timely and accurate diagnosis. Clinical trials play a pivotal role in advancing myeloma treatment options. Dr. Usmani demystifies clinical trials and highlights their importance in developing new therapies. He stresses that patients have an active role in decision-making and are never bound to a trial if they change their minds.

 

Interview with Patient & Caregiver Team, Nicole Eddington Johnson and Yvonne Eddington

Multiple myeloma patient Nicole Johnson and her mother, Von Eddington, share their experiences with multiple myeloma and the impact it has had on their lives. Nicole's myeloma journey began after being diagnosed with colon cancer, and she emphasizes the importance of being proactive in seeking specialized care. Both Nicole and her mother emphasize the vital role of a care partner in providing support and advocating for the patient. The support from patient groups like the IMF (International Myeloma Foundation) and patient support groups has been instrumental in their journey.

 

Interview with Patient & Caregiver Team, Nicole Eddington Johnson and Yvonne Eddington

Multiple myeloma patient Nicole Johnson and her mother, Von Eddington, share their experiences with multiple myeloma and the impact it has had on their lives. Nicole's myeloma journey began after being diagnosed with colon cancer, and she emphasizes the importance of being proactive in seeking specialized care. Both Nicole and her mother emphasize the vital role of a care partner in providing support and advocating for the patient. The support from patient groups like the IMF (International Myeloma Foundation) and patient support groups has been instrumental in their journey.