My name is Beth Morgan. I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in January of 2003 at the age of 41. I will soon undergo a stem cell harvest to prepare for a stem cell transplant in an effort to slow the growth of the disease. Cents for Cells seeks to raise one penny for each of the millions of stem cells to be harvested from my bone marrow in a procedure that will take place at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center on October 16, 2006. Funds raised will benefit
the International Myeloma Foundation. |
People usually throw away their pennies these days. I thought this fundraiser would be a way to demonstrate the positive changes we can bring about by putting our pennies to good use. Ten thousand pennies represents a $100 donation toward eliminating this terrible disease. This little-known form of cancer is the second most common blood cancer after non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and accounts for only 1% of all cancers. Fifty thousand people in the United States are currently living with the disease and an additional 16,000 are diagnosed each year. Multiple myeloma is incurable, although some patients live for a number of years following diagnosis. Despite improvements in therapy, the five-year survival rate in multiple myeloma is only 32 percent and durable responses are rare. Please Donate to the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) Cents for Cells campaign today. Your donation is tax deductible and will help fund patient programs and research for better treatments. The IMF has a higher charitynavigator.org rating than many large well-known national programs (4 stars!), and is truly dedicated to helping myeloma patients and their caregivers, and to finding a cure. To learn more about me, you can find my blog at www.myelomablog.com. |
