We are Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma (MM4MM)
Yes, I get that it makes no sense but neither does “Race for the Cure.” But today in order to raise money to advance science we need to do dramatic feats of physical exertion. I am going to the bottom of Everest. Yes, going to the top of Everest would be cooler but no I’m not doing that. The bottom is the goal.
In the nine years that I have been maintaining this blog I have never asked for money. Today this changes. I am making “the ask.” Please donate to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in my name. Need to raise $10,000. I get 30,000 page visits a month. Let’s knock this out.
The MMRF is a 501(c)(3) organization so your donation is fully tax deductible in the U.S.
The MMRF is a really cool, outcomes oriented, research foundation that has successfully brought drug after drug to market for multiple myeloma. I feel really good about raising money for them. They get 4 stars on the charity navigator.
Here is my full pitch letter:
Help me get to the bottom of Mount Everest!
I know everybody else dreams of the top, but I’m the kind of kid that when my dad asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I told him “co-pilot.”
In the spirit of wanting to be a co-pilot, I am now aspiring to get to the bottom of Everest, AKA Basecamp, elevation 18,000 feet. Keep in mind that non-pressurized aircraft are limited to an altitude of 12,500 feet.
I am part of an expedition for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Why is a nephrologist working with the myeloma foundation? Well besides the obvious, I get to go to Mount fricking Everest, multiple myeloma plays a constant and recurring role in my job as a kidney doctor. One of the first symptoms of multiple myeloma can be foamy urine. The foam is from protein and these patients are often referred to me. My job puts me right at the beginning of the long journey of myeloma. I am the person that explains that those bubbles in the urine were actually serious, and that they have cancer. Unfortunately, the protein also can clog the kidney and many of these patients require dialysis during their treatment. So again I get to play a role in the lives of these patients.
There have been tremendous advances in myeloma therapy during my career. Outside of HIV, no other deadly disease that has seen such impressive improvement during my career. One of the reasons is the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. The MMRF is an amazing organization that has invigorated myeloma research and helped bring 10 myeloma drugs to market.
I am asking you to help me raise $10,000 for the MMRF. The whole Everest trip is funded by a grant from Takeda Oncology, so none of your donations will be buying my ramen, it all goes to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (rated 4 stars by Charity Navigator for the last 11 years). Learn more about MMF here.
I’m asking you to make a donation.
Help me get to the bottom of Everest.
Joel