NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On May 5, 2015, nearly 700 tri-state area patients, patient families, friends, doctors, businesses and supporters attended the 13th Annual Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Laugh for Life: New York and raised $800,000 to benefit transformative cancer research and advance their mission to find a cure NOW.
“The MMRF Laugh for Life event provides us the opportunity to celebrate life through laughter and honor all who are united in our mission to cure myeloma and all cancers,” said Walter M. Capone, Chief Executive Officer and President of the MMRF. “Thanks to all who inspire and support events like ‘Laugh,’ we are able to accelerate the most promising, innovative and effective new therapies for patients and advance cutting-edge research through our partnerships with the best scientists, researchers and clinicians in institutions and companies worldwide.”
The MMRF is a leading cancer research foundation that is developing new models and innovative means for accelerating the next generation of myeloma treatments as quickly as possible. The organization is currently spearheading the world’s first and only open access data platform in multiple myeloma, which will empower patients with information to make decisions about their individual medical choices and enable researchers and others to make faster treatment discoveries for this incurable blood cancer.
The MMRF was proud to honor Stephanie Stoss, Senior Director of The Mount Sinai Medical Center - Cancer Network Bone Marrow Transplant, Multiple Myeloma, with the Carol Goldschein Spirit of Hope Award presented by Celgene Corporation. This award is presented annually to a patient, caregiver or individual who exemplifies the true spirit of hope – one who generously advocates for the benefit of others, works tirelessly to help cancer patients, and inspires hope through their perseverance. The MMRF was also proud to honor Sue Korn and Cindi Stern, Founders of Laugh for Life: New York, with the MMRF Courage and Commitment Award. Joy Behar, Comedian, Writer, Actress and Emmy Award-Winning Talk Show Co-Host, served as headline performer for the night. Amy Freeze, television meteorologist with WABC-TV, served as the evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies.
“The MMRF is known for bringing great researchers, scientists and the multiple myeloma community together for a common cause, developing a plan to achieve that cause, and staying with it until the goal is achieved,” said Joel Beetsch, Vice President of Global Patient Advocacy at Celgene Corporation. “Celgene is proud to partner with the MMRF on behalf of the many, many patients and families it serves.”
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is, at this time, an incurable blood cancer. Although progress has been made in treating multiple myeloma, the five-year relative survival rate remains one of the lowest of all cancers. The MMRF has helped deliver seven new FDA-approved life-saving drugs in less than 12 years, a track record unparalleled in oncology. The MMRF has helped reimagine the research system that is now speeding success across all forms of cancer.
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 over $275 million since its inception and directs nearly 90% of its total budget to research and related programming. As a result, the MMRF receives an A+ rating by the American Institute of Philanthropy and a “Best in America” Seal of Excellence from the Independent Charities of America.
