Pat’s Place: March Is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month
I just returned from an event designed to help kick off multiple myeloma awareness month. I didn’t remember March was “our month” until I was getting ready for the program.
In the competitive world of raising awareness about the different types of cancers, using specific colors and symbols to help “brand” each cancer is all the rage.
The pink ribbon representing breast cancer has been far and away the most effective. Prostate cancer is trying to make light blue equally recognizable.
Were you aware multiple myeloma has a color, too? It’s burgundy or maroon. Hasn’t really caught-on yet, has it?
But don’t feel bad. Neither has pearl for lung cancer, orange for leukemia, or black for melanoma. How about brown for colon cancer? I guess that one makes sense.
But why assign months or colors to different cancers? An obvious reason is to raise awareness so that people donate money for research, patient assistance programs, and more. In this post-recession world, organizations and research centers are competing for a shrinking pot of dollars.
Colors help fundraisers market their particular cancer. So does having a month set aside to help “get the word out.”
But there are a number of other positive, less obvious reasons why designating March as “multiple myeloma awareness month” and establishing burgundy as the official color is important, especially for a multiple myeloma patient like me.
Whenever I see another patient wearing a burgundy wrist band, I immediately feel connected—like I already know them.
Using a common color helps give me a sense of community. Maybe it is my coaching background, but I like having a “team” color. There is strength in numbers. And if you are on a team, you are never alone. This is reassuring to me.
Having a recognizable team color is important. But getting an entire month designated to help raise multiple myeloma awareness is fantastic! Anything that helps others understand that “we have cancer” works for me.
If we all help get the word out, others may begin to recognize the symptoms of multiple myeloma. Husbands, wives, and children may get their loved ones to see a doctor sooner. Familiarity with our cancer may also help doctors and nurses recognize the signs and symptoms and know what tests to run, so they can diagnose patients sooner.
At the very least, the general public may begin to understand that multiple myeloma is cancer—and that it is imperative researchers find a cure.
March is multiple myeloma awareness month. Please help me spread the word!
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat
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Thanks for the reminder! Off to a local event tonight (non-cancer related) and dug out a myeloma wristband to wear. Go team! (May I suggest those of us on the team be called Myelomaniacs?
Wouldn't it be nice if finding a cure for cancer was just a matter of raising money. Not trying to down-play the importance of money for research, and all the other things that money is needed for in the search for a cure. But, I was just thinking about how much money would be raised if there was some kind of news like " We only need another 6 million for a cure for breast cancer, or we only need another 10 million and colon cancer is history" ....
Don't mind me, just day dreaming again. Anyway, another good article Pat. Hope all is well with you, and of course the rest of my Team Mates. Let's wear our colors proudly and keep raising the money we need to get rid of cancer once and for all....
Best regards,
John
Thank you, April. I should start using "myelomaniacs." As a matter of fact, I think I will! Pat
Hi John-
You make a good point. It isn't all about money. I believe politics, the FDA and the inability to "think outside the box" all contribute to the slow pace of cancer research.
Here's another thing: Lack of communication between research centers and docs. Hopefully computer advances will help with that. But then we will need to deal with budget cuts... Oops! Back to the money thing again- Pat
Good article Pat. I just ordered myself a myeloma awareness Swaroski crystal bracelet and matching earrings! I can't wait to start wearing them. I good way to get the conversation started about myeloma and a special treat for me. LOL
So happy to see this posted on Facebook from a mutual friend. Both of our hubbies have MM and I reposted, too. You look very young to have MM, when were you diagnosed?
Hi Kerrie-
I just turned 55. That is one of those Realtor pictures that is about seven years old. You know, like the pictures on cards which look like they were taken in high school! Before I was diagnosed, everyone used to comment on how young I looked. Myeloma aged me at least ten years. I should really update the picture...
Cynthia-
Where did you order your stuff from? Sounds nice...
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