Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or MMRF is a non-profit organization based in Norwalk, Connecticut dedicated to "accelerating the search for a cure" of multiple myeloma. It was formed in 1998 by Kathy Giusti. The foundation has raised over $49 million, of which, approximately 94% goes to research. The MMRF is the world's largest private funder of multiple myeloma research.

In 2004, the foundation convinced four cancer research institutes to work together in researching multiple myeloma, a process that cost about $250,000 in legal and consulting fees. The five institutions &mdash; Mayo Clinic, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, and the Ontario Cancer Institute &mdash; set up the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium. The researchers agreed on coordinating clinical trials, setting up standard procedures, and creating a centralized tissue bank so that the same samples could be used in studies of potential treatments. The consortium has since grown to 11 member institutions.

Previously located in New Canaan, Connecticut, the foundation moved to Norwalk, Connecticut by 2007.

Accreditations
The MMRF is the only 501 (c) 3 charitable organization to have received all of the following designations: Four-star rating from Charity Navigator, Compliance with all of the Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance standards for charity accountability, Approval from the National Cancer Institute for our research grants program.

Funding Research
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation is credited as a driving force in fight against myeloma, the MMRF supports one of the scientific community's most innovative and responsive research grant programs. Since its inception in 1998, the MMRF has raised over $84 million to fund more than 130 research grants at more than 70 research institutions around the globe. In 2007 alone, the MMRF has awarded $12 million in research funding.

Gala Dinners
Each fall, the foundation holds the Friends for Life Fall Gala in Greenwich, Connecticut. Nearly 800 people attend this black tie event each year. There is a celebrity guest speaker at each Gala. These guests have included: Scott Hamilton, Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr., Sharon Osbourne, Deborah Norville, Ann Curry, Katie Couric, Eric McCormack, and Brian Williams. Fundraising dinners have also been held in Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Races
The MMRF has 5K races in 5-10 major cities each year. The race in Chicago is also known as the Ann Landers Race for Research.

Research
The foundation funded research that contributed to the approval of bortezomib (Velcade®). It is also funding 20 therapies currently in clinical trials.

Programming
The foundation sponsors educational programs for both patients and physicians on a regular basis.

Honorary Board Members

 * Bob Costas
 * Ann Curry
 * Eric Davis
 * Geraldine Ferraro
 * Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
 * Hamilton Jordan
 * Diana Krall
 * Deborah Norville
 * General Norman Schwarzkopf
 * Mel Stottlemyre
 * Paula Zahn