March marks Myeloma Action Month, a dedicated time to raise awareness about multiple myeloma and advocate for those affected by this complex blood cancer. Established by the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) in 2009 as Myeloma Awareness Month, this initiative has since evolved into an active movement encouraging education, support, and action from patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates.[1]
What is Myeloma Action Month?
Myeloma Action Month is an annual global awareness campaign held every March to raise awareness of multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that affects over 176,404 people worldwide each year. This campaign unites patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and supporters to share personal stories, raise awareness, and inspire action to improve patient outcomes.[2]
Myeloma Action Month helps inform the public and empower those impacted by myeloma through education, advocacy, and community engagement. By working together, we strive toward better treatments, enhanced patient support, and, ultimately, a cure.
Understanding Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma, also known as Kahler’s disease, is one of the three most common blood cancers. From the moment of diagnosis, patients and their loved ones begin a challenging journey filled with emotions, information, and difficult decisions.[1]
Multiple myeloma occurs when plasma cells, a white blood cell essential to the immune system, grow uncontrollably in the bone marrow. These malignant plasma cells displace normal blood-forming cells, leading to serious health issues. Since multiple malignant plasma cells tend to nest in the bone marrow, the disease is termed multiple myeloma.
Identifying Myeloma with CRAB Criteria
Recognizing the early stages of multiple myeloma can be difficult due to vague or non-specific symptoms, often resulting in delayed diagnosis. To aid both physicians and patients in identifying the disease, the CRAB criteria are used:[3]
- Calcium – Elevated calcium levels in the blood
- Renal – Kidney dysfunction
- Anemia – Low red blood cell count
- Bone – Bone damage or lesions
Early detection through these criteria is crucial in managing the disease and improving patient outcomes.
This Year’s Campaign: #MyelomaMilestone
In 2025, Myeloma Action Month celebrates resilience, progress, and hope through the #MyelomaMilestone campaign. This year’s theme encourages individuals to share their milestones—whether it’s a treatment breakthrough, overcoming challenges, celebrating a life event, or simply cherishing moments with loved ones. Each milestone represents hope and progress in the fight against myeloma.[2]
How to Get Involved in #MyelomaMilestone:
- Share Your Story: Use the hashtag #MyelomaMilestone to post about your journey with myeloma and the achievements that have brought you hope.
- Join the Global Movement: Fill out a personalized milestone sign, take a photo or video holding it, and post it on social media to spread awareness.
- Encourage Others to Share: Invite your friends, family, and community to share their myeloma milestones and help create a wave of awareness and support.
Advancements in Multiple Myeloma Treatment
Multiple myeloma care has dramatically transformed thanks to groundbreaking research and innovative therapies. Over the last four decades, life expectancy has more than quadrupled, and patients now have access to treatments that offer more prolonged remissions and improved quality of life. Despite these advances, multiple myeloma remains the second most common blood cancer in the United States, with an estimated 12,540 deaths in 2024, according to the National Institutes of Health. The rate of new myeloma cases was 7.2 per 100,000 men and women per year. In 2021, an estimated 179,063 people were living with myeloma in the United States. Although multiple myeloma is rare, Black people are more likely to develop and die from it than white people. Black men and women have a greater than two-fold higher incidence of multiple myeloma.[4]
The Role of Cryopreservation and CAR-T Cell Therapy
Advancements in medical research have led to innovative treatment options for multiple myeloma, particularly in cellular therapies and cryopreservation. One groundbreaking approach is CAR-T cell therapy, which involves modifying a patient’s T-cells to recognize and destroy cancerous myeloma cells. This personalized immunotherapy has shown promising results in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.[1]
Mount Sinai’s CAR-T cell therapy program is one of the most advanced in the country, providing cutting-edge treatment options to eligible patients. The program recently became the first to use CAR-T as an initial treatment for a clinical trial, CARTITUDE 6, currently open to accrual. “CAR-T therapy represents a paradigm shift in how we treat multiple myeloma,” states Adriana Rossi, MD, Director of Multiple Myeloma CAR-T and Stem Cell Transplant Clinical Program at Mount Sinai. “Our work in this space delivers remarkable outcomes for patients who previously had limited options.”[4]
Cryopreservation plays a crucial role in cell therapy by ensuring that viable cells are preserved for future use. Whether for CAR-T cell therapy or stem cell transplants, maintaining cell integrity through advanced cryopreservation techniques is essential in improving patient outcomes.
Empowering Patients Through Education and Support
Organizations have developed comprehensive patient guides, collaborating with hematologists, oncologists, and patient associations to further support those diagnosed with multiple myeloma. These guides provide clear explanations of the disease, available treatments, and ways to seek support from peer organizations.
These resources focus centrally on patient empowerment, encouraging individuals to participate actively in their treatment journey. By equipping patients with reliable information and practical tips, they can engage more effectively with their healthcare providers, make informed decisions, and improve their quality of life through lifestyle adjustments such as proper nutrition, hydration, and physical activity.[3]
As we observe Myeloma Action Month, we must continue advocating for early detection, patient support, and advancements in treatment options. By working together as a community, we can help drive progress in research and treatment, offering hope to those impacted by multiple myeloma.
