M-Power New Tampa:
Community Workshop
The M-Power Project realizes the IMF Diversity Initiative’s vision, enhancing outcomes for African-American myeloma patients. Though the most common blood cancer in this group, with reduced barriers to diagnosis and treatment, they fare as well as or even better than white individuals. Empowering healthcare professionals, community leaders, neighborhoods, and families, M-Power raises myeloma awareness.
Venue: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Location: 5123 East Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd., Tampa, FL 33619
The M-POWER project is partnering with cities across the country to turn the core vision of the IMF Diversity Initiative into a reality: improving the short- and long-term outcomes of African-American patients with multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is the most common blood cancer in African Americans, who have a greater-than-average risk of developing the disease. But when barriers to early diagnosis and treatment are removed, African-American myeloma patients do just as well, or even better than, white individuals.
M-POWER is empowering health-care professionals, community leaders, neighborhoods and families to break down those barriers by raising myeloma awareness.
%
of all cases of myeloma are in African Americans
more common in African Americans
%
of all newly diagnosed myeloma patients will be African American
Multiple Myeloma
Did you know that myeloma is the most common blood cancer in people of African descent? But doctors do not typically check people for myeloma during a regular visit because currently there are no national screening recommendations for myeloma.
That’s why it’s important to learn the early symptoms of myeloma and let your doctor know that you—or a friend or family member—are at added risk for the disease.
Because even though myeloma affects African Americans at greater rates, with early diagnosis and treatment, African Americans can have better overall survival in living with the disease.
Myeloma Tool Kit
Watch the VideoMyeloma Made Simple
view the glossaryUnderstanding the Language of Myeloma
Myeloma is a complicated disease, but the language that describes it doesn’t have to be. Here is a list of words and phrases commonly used in discussions about myeloma.
Learn MoreEarly Signs of Myeloma
This Tip Card covers early diagnosis and warning signs of multiple myeloma.
Learn MoreHave You Been Diagnosed with Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a highly treatable disease. Many patients live long and productive lives after diagnosis.
Download ToolMyeloma Treatment Discussion Tool
This tool was developed in collaboration with myeloma patients and caregivers, leaders of myeloma support groups, and the IMF Nurse Leadership Board. Discuss this tool with your treatment team and healthcare providers.
Learn MoreM-Power Yourself
To make good decisions about your care with your health-care team, learn as much as you can about myeloma and its treatments.
Learn MoreCaregiver Resources
A comprehensive list of caregiver support and other helpful resources especially for families and caregivers.
Learn MoreDrug Reimbursement Information and Assistance
List of pharma, government and other resources regarding drug reimbursement information and assistance
Join a GroupFind a Support Group
Support groups bring together myeloma patients, caregivers, family members & friends. Patients involved in a support group experience more positive outcomes due to their understanding of treatment options and ability to have key conversations with their health-care team.
Listen in: Dr. Brandon Blue – Blood is Thicker Than Water Podcast
Moffitt Cancer Center has launched a new podcast focused on the impact of cancer in the Black and African American communities from the Office of Community Outreach, Engagement and Equity. Cancer in our Community is a series of conversations hosted by Dr. Brandon Blue.
Disparities in Treatment
My experiences over the years as a support group leader have been that most leaders are experiencing similar challenges, looking for ways to diversify group participation and ensure that we all live well with myeloma. Much like the health-care system, we have to better understand barriers to participation.
Patient advocate Yelak Biru shares his story
Diagnosed at the young age of 25 with stage III multiple myeloma, Yelak Biru is a patient turned myeloma research advocate. Working with a team of medical practitioners and educating himself through support group leadership, information resources, advocacy sites, social media, and the IMF, Yelak has successfully integrated myeloma to his life for over two decades.
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