September Is Blood Cancer Awareness Month: This Is Multiple Myeloma
It’s time for more people to know this blood cancer by name.
Myeloma is a blood cancer, but for those who live with the disease and their families, it is also lab numbers, scanxiety, treatment calendars, patient portals, care partner notebooks, bone marrow biopsies, little brown jugs, and learning a new language overnight. This Blood Cancer Awareness Month, help make the unseen parts of myeloma visible so more people can #KnowMyeloma.
The parts people don’t see. The moments our community knows too well.
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What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, is a cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells. Plasma cells are white blood cells that produce antibodies to fight infections. Fact: Myeloma is the second most common blood cancer, yet many mistake it for melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Myeloma is a complex and incurable blood cancer that affects an estimated 36,110 people every year in the U.S. alone.
Here Are the Key Points About Multiple Myeloma:
- It's a cancer that affects plasma cells, which are white blood cells responsible for making antibodies.
- Myeloma cells are cancerous plasma cells. It's called "multiple" because it often grows in multiple areas of the bone marrow.
- Myeloma most commonly grows in marrow within the bones of the spine, skull, pelvis, rib cage, shoulders, and hips.
- It can appear as tumors and/or areas of bone loss, called lesions. Areas of bone loss are referred to as "lytic lesions."
- Common symptoms include back or bone pain, unexplained fatigue, and recurrent or persistent infections.
- It's a very treatable blood cancer, and many patients live long and productive lives after diagnosis.
- An estimated 36,110 new cases of myeloma will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026.
- Men are 1.5X more likely than women to develop myeloma.
- It's most frequently diagnosed in individuals aged 65–74, but is now being diagnosed in people younger than 50 as well.
- Myeloma is the most common blood cancer in patients of African descent, who have twice the risk compared to White patients.
Awareness is the first step toward a cure.
The more people know about myeloma, the louder our call becomes for:
- Earlier diagnosis
- Greater access to treatments
- More investment in myeloma research
- Equity in cancer care
Too many people still say, "What’s myeloma?" In 2026, we’re changing that — together.
What does myeloma look like in your life?
For some, myeloma looks like a treatment calendar.
For others, it is a patient portal refresh, a lab number, a care partner notebook, a quiet car ride home, or long hug with a loved one.
These moments may seem small, but they are part of the myeloma experience patients and families know too well.
This September, we invite you to share one part of myeloma you wish more people understood.
Prompt:
To know myeloma is to know ______.
Three Simple Ways to Help More People #KnowMyeloma
Share
Post one thing you wish more people understood about myeloma. Use the prompt: "To know myeloma is to know ______."
Engage
Like, comment, save, and share IMF’s Blood Cancer Awareness Month posts to help myeloma awareness reach beyond the myeloma community.
Invite
Send this page to someone who should know more about myeloma. You do not need to explain everything. Start with one simple fact: myeloma is blood cancer.
Join Us for KnowMyeloma Day
On the last Thursday of September, the myeloma community will come together for KnowMyeloma Day, a day dedicated to myeloma awareness during Blood Cancer Awareness Month.
On this day, patients, care partners, support groups, clinicians, researchers, partners, and advocates are invited to share one fact, one story, one resource, or one hidden reality of life with myeloma.
Add KnowMyeloma Day to your calendar Download the KnowMyeloma Day graphics
Using a different calendar? Add it manually — Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Educate, inspire, and raise awareness by sharing facts and stats about multiple myeloma from the International Myeloma Foundation.
Help spread the word with:
- Social media graphics
- Sample captions
- Printable flyers
- KnowMyeloma Day toolkit
- Support group activation guide
- Myeloma 101 fact sheet
Email and newsletter messaging
SHARE THESE ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITH #KNOWMYELOMA
Thousands of patients and care partners live with myeloma every day. Some are newly diagnosed. Others have been in remission for years.
Awareness of the disease and its symptoms leads to earlier diagnosis — moving us one step closer to better outcomes for those living with myeloma.
