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UAMS Receives $19.5 Million Grant For Multiple Myeloma Program – The Myeloma Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will receive $19.5 million over five years from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The grant is the fourth renewal of continuous funding from the NCI and will allow for continued research on myeloma and the development of new treatments. For more information, please visit the UAMS Web site.

MMRF’s Fall Gala Raises Over $1.8 Million For Multiple Myeloma Research – The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) raised more than $1.8 million at its annual Fall Gala. The funds will support myeloma research and the development of new treatments. For more information, please visit the MMRF Web site.

3rd Annual Comedy Celebration – The International Myeloma Foundation’s (IMF) 3rd annual Comedy Celebration will take place on November 7 at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre & Club in Los Angeles. It will benefit the Peter Boyle Memorial Fund and will feature Ray Romano, Jimmey Kimmel, and Bob Saget, along with many others. For more information, please visit the IMF Web site.

World Run Day – On November 8, a 5K run will take place in multiple locations around the world. Among the charities which will receive funds from donations is the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). For more information, please visit the World Run Day Web site.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.

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MMRF Fall Gala – On October 24, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is hosting a Fall Gala at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, CT. The MMRF will honor Hoda Kotb, co-host of “Today” and correspondent on “Dateline NBC,” with the Spirit of Hope Award for her efforts in advancing cancer awareness. A reception will begin at 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $275 each. For more information or to reserve seats, please visit the MMRF Web site.

New York City Marathon – On November 1, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Marathon team will run in the ING New York City Marathon. The MMRF team is looking for donations to help reach this year's fundraising goal.  The MMRF is also looking for participants for next year's NYC Marathon, which will take place on November 7, 2010.  For more information or to register, please visit the NYC Marathon or MMRF Web sites.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.

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Congress Encouraged To Continue Senator Kennedy’s Legacy Of Supporting Stem Cell Research & Development – The CEO of Cryo-Cell International, a stem cell research company, has encouraged Congress to continue initiatives that Senator Kennedy strongly supported. Senator Kennedy’s legacy of supporting stem cell research and development was responsible for improving health research, human services, and well-being. Senator Kennedy strongly supported the Hematological Cancer Investment Research and Education Act of 2001. This bill increased research and education on blood cancers, including multiple myeloma. For more information, please see the Cryo-Cell International press release.

Doctor Takes 210 Mile Bike Ride For Multiple Myeloma – Dr. Rafat Abonour, an oncologist and researcher at Indiana University's Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, will bike 210 miles to raise awareness of multiple myeloma. Abonour’s journey will start in Newburgh, IN, and take him through several of his patients’ hometowns before ending in Indianapolis. He leaves this morning after a reception at Oncology Hematology Associates of Southwest Indiana. For more information, please see the article in the Evansville Courier Press.

Marine Corps Marathon – On October 25, the Marine Corps will host a 10K race in Washington, DC. This race is on the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s list of official events, and all funds are donated to the foundation. Fundraising minimums are $1,000 for an individual and $2,500 for a team.  For those who want to mark their calendars or begin training for next year's event, the race is scheduled for October 24, 2010. For more information, please see the Marine Corps Marathon or Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Web sites.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.

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FDA Grants Priority Review Status To Velcade – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted priority review to the supplemental new drug application for Velcade (bortezomib) from Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. The supplemental new drug application includes long-term overall survival data from the Phase 3 Vista trial, which examined treatment with Velcade in patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma. Applications granted priority review are approved by the FDA within six months instead of ten. For more information, please see the Millennium press release.

Celgene To Benefit From Increased Use Of Revlimid – Analysts believe that Celgene's stock may recover by the end of this year due to more doctors treating patients with Revlimid (lenalidomide). Revlimid is becoming more accepted as a maintenance treatment for multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia. Also, Celgene will report on a new clinical trial in December, which may raise sales. For more information, please see the Forbes article.

MMRF Chicago Marathon – On October 11 the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) team will be taking part in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The MMRF is seeking contributions for its runners, which will go towards helping to fund multiple myeloma research. For more information, please visit the MMRF Web site.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.

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Give And Get Campaign Results – The Gap Give and Get Campaign, which benefited The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), was held from July 30 to August 2. The Gap is donating 5 percent of its sales during this period to the LLS, raising a total of $500,000 to support blood cancer research. For more information, please visit the LLS Web site.

Royal Hospital In Oman Setting Up Stem Cell Bank And Transplantation Unit – The Royal Hospital in Oman is in the final stages of establishing a stem cell bank and a transplantation unit. The stem cell bank will be ready by the end of 2009, and the transplantation unit will be completed by September 2010. Currently, building modifications are under way to accommodate the stem cell bank. The equipment for the stem cell bank has been selected and will be installed once the building modifications are completed. For more information, please visit the Zawya article.

Keryx To Present Overview Of Leading Drug Candidates – On September 9 at 2:50 p.m., Keryx will present an overview of its leading drugs at the Rodman & Renshaw Annual Global Investment Conference in New York City. Ron Bentsur, Chief Executive Officer of Keryx, will give the presentation on the lead drug candidates perifosine (KRX-0401) and Zerenex (ferric citrate). Perifosine is currently in trials as an oral anti-cancer drug that affects the growth and death of multiple myeloma cells, while Zerenex is in trials as a treatment for elevated phosphate levels in patients with severe kidney disease. The presentation will be available live by audio webcast at the Keryx Web site. For more information, please visit the Keryx press release.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.

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Research Confirms MGUS Is Linked To Myeloma, But May Not Be Linked To As Many Diseases As Previously Thought – According to a study published in the August 2009 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) may not be linked to as many serious diseases as previously thought. MGUS is a symptomless blood disorder that is a precursor of multiple myeloma. This study confirmed a link between MGUS and 14 diseases.  However, before this study, it was also thought to be a precursor for many more diseases. These Mayo Clinic findings may save patients from unnecessary tests and treatment. For more information, please see the Mayo Clinic press release.

Lawsuit Claims Celgene Corporation Misappropriated The Idea Behind Thalidomide – On August 24, Beth R. Jacobson filed a lawsuit against Celgene Corporation claiming “misappropriation of an idea” and “unjust enrichment” concerning the company’s sale of thalidomide (Thalomid) and Revlimid (lenalidomide) for the treatment of myeloma. The suit claims that Jacobson developed the original idea for treating myeloma with thalidomide and is consequently entitled to compensation based on established legal precedent. Jacobson seeks a minimum of $300 million in past damages and 25 percent of the future profits from the sale of Celgene’s thalidomide products. For more information, please see Ms. Jacobson's press release.

Light The Night Walks – On September 11, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will hold Light the Night Walks in St. Louis and St. Peters, MO. Participants will walk along a two- or three-mile route, carrying a lighted balloon, in support of those touched by blood cancer. For more information, please visit the LLS Web sites for each of the events.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.

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European Commission Grants Marketing Authorization For Mozobil – On August 5, the European Commission granted marketing authorization for Mozobil in the European Union. Access to Mozobil will allow multiple myeloma patients who require a stem cell transplant a new option. The drug is used in combination with a granulocyte-colony stimulating factor which stimulates bone marrow, and together they increase the mobilization of stem cells to the bloodstream for collection and use in stem cell transplants. Mozobil was approved in December 2008 in the United States. For more information, please see the Genzyme press release.

Sausalito Music Fan’s Bike Ride To Saratoga To Raise Money For MMRF – Cathy Gellis will be riding her bike from Sausalito, CA, to Saratoga, CA, to raise funds for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and to see Huey Lewis and the News on August 15. She is riding in memory of Ron Stallings, a band member of the band who passed away earlier this year after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. For more information or to make a donation, please visit Cathy’s page on the MMRF Web site.

Prairie Pedal For Myeloma – The Prairie Pedal for Myeloma blog is written by Shane Saunderson. It follows his bike ride from Calgary to Toronto to raise funds for Myeloma Canada and the Molly and David Bloom Chair in Multiple Myeloma Research. His goal is to ride 3500 km in 35 days and to raise $35,000. Shane began his ride on August 1. To follow the blog or make a donation, please visit the Prairie Pedal for Myeloma Canada Web site.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar.