Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma® Program to Trek Through Alaska, July 23-29

A group of 11 hikers will embark on this incredible challenge to raise awareness and funds for multiple myeloma research through the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)

As part of the Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma^® (MM4MM) program, a team of 11 intrepid individuals will take an epic journey hiking through the mountainous region outside of Anchorage, AK, from July 23-29, in support of the more than 35,000 patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma annually in the United States.

The MM4MM Alaska trek is a Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) initiative sponsored by GSK. Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer of the plasma cells that develops in the bone marrow and can spread throughout the body. Since MM4MM began with its first trek in 2016, the program has raised over $3 million for multiple myeloma research.

The upcoming Alaska trek will include an extraordinary group of multiple myeloma patients, caregivers, friends and family members, nurses, and team members from the organizing partners. All funds raised throughout the weeklong journey go directly to the MMRF, the largest nonprofit in the world solely focused on accelerating a cure for each and every multiple myeloma patient.

“The MMRF stands together with those who share our vision of a world free of multiple myeloma and we are thrilled to have this group of patients, family members, healthcare professionals, and our sponsor GSK supporting this effort,” said Michael Andreini, President and CEO of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. “This MM4MM team represents a microcosm of our community and demonstrates that together we can move mountains in our pursuit of a cure for each and every multiple myeloma patient.”

MM4MM Alaska team members living with multiple myeloma:

• Jen Asnier was diagnosed with multiple myeloma around her 31st birthday after routine blood work. This will be Jen’s fourth MM4MM fundraising trek. “I am one of the lucky ones. I am still here. I try to embrace life each day and this challenge for the MMRF has me incredibly excited,” she said. “I’m so grateful for each person I’ve gotten to know on these treks and am so incredibly inspired by their stories.”
• Elizabeth Bohannon is a former oncology nurse, an employment lawyer, and now an executive coach and leadership consultant. In 2021, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and has been on maintenance therapy since September 2022. As a former oncology nurse, Elizabeth knew a great deal about the disease upon her diagnosis. Even so, as she described it, “time stood still.” Today, however, Elizabeth is “feeling good, strong even,” and is doing her very best to live life to the fullest.
• Sandy Stein’s trek is extremely personal. More than 50 years ago, her father passed away from multiple myeloma, and just two years ago, her husband, Ed, was diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma. Eight months ago, Sandy was diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), which is a precursor condition to multiple myeloma. “This trek to climb the mountains of Alaska is out of my comfort zone, but I will do whatever it takes to contribute,” she said.

About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is the largest nonprofit in the world solely focused on accelerating a cure for each and every multiple myeloma patient. We drive the development and delivery of next-generation therapies, leverage data to identify optimal and more personalized treatment approaches, and empower myeloma patients and the broader community with information and resources to extend their lives. Central to our mission is our commitment to advancing health equity so that all myeloma patients can benefit from the scientific and clinical advances we pursue. Since our inception, the MMRF has committed over $500 million for research, opened nearly 100 clinical trials, and helped bring 15+ FDA-approved therapies to market, which have tripled the life expectancy of myeloma patients. To learn more, visit www.themmrf.org.

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