In a moving display of unity and dedication, the Korea Blood Disease & Cancer Association (KBDCA) and the Korean Multiple Myeloma Working Party (KMMWP), under the Korean Society of Hematology, concluded a ceremony to celebrate the 9th World Myeloma Awareness Month.

KBDCA is a non-profit organization that helps patients cope with blood diseases and cancer through economic and emotional support. It also works on a variety of disease education programs to help people understand the disease and improve their lives.

The campaign, spanning the entire month of March, aimed to cast a spotlight on multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that continues to challenge thousands worldwide.

In a virtual ceremony on Myeloma Action Day, on Tuesday, the initiative successfully concluded its awareness efforts, shedding light on the complexities of living with multiple myeloma.

This disease, originating from plasma cells in the bone marrow, is known for its severe complications, such as infections, fractures, kidney, and heart failure, yet remains shrouded in obscurity for many.

Multiple myeloma ranks as the second most prevalent blood cancer, with its incidence on a steady rise. In Korea, the number of people diagnosed with this condition surged by 87 percent over a decade, from 1,080 cases in 2011 to 2,018 in 2021, highlighting the urgent need for heightened awareness and understanding.

Acknowledging the challenge of raising awareness for a disease primarily diagnosed in older adults and lesser-known than other types of cancer, the Global Myeloma Action Network (GMAN) under the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) inaugurated March as the World Myeloma Awareness Month in 2016.

This global initiative seeks to amplify the conversation around multiple myeloma, advocating for patient rights and better access to care.

This year, KBDCA and KMMWP embraced the initiative with the inspiring slogan "Miracle of Myeloma," symbolizing their commitment to enlighten the public about the disease and to stand in solidarity with those on the path to recovery.

Efforts to promote engagement and support included distributing commemorative magnets to healthcare professionals and providing hope cards at clinics designed to spark dialogue and offer encouragement.

A particularly touching aspect of this year's campaign was the distribution of "Hope Box" to 400 patients awaiting stem cell transplantation.

These boxes, filled with essentials for the transplant process and heartfelt messages from the medical community, represent a promise of companionship through the journey toward healing.

Now, in its third iteration, the "Hope Box" program underscores a collective vow to support patients until a cure is within reach.

"In recent years, with the continued development of new targeted therapies and improved outcomes of conventional stem cell transplantation, many patients with multiple myeloma have been able to survive for more than a decade," Professor Kim Jin-seok of the Department of Internal Medicine at Severance Hospital and KMMWP Chairman, said. "In order for patients to tolerate the long-term treatment process, there is an urgent need for a deeper understanding and support of multiple myeloma not only from the patients themselves, but also from the public and government officials, including their families."

KMMWP hopes that this year's Myeloma Day celebration will bring hope and courage to those facing a long and difficult journey, Kim added.

Echoing this sentiment, KBDCA Executive Director Lee Chul-hwan also said, "Awareness of multiple myeloma needs to be expanded to include those who are living with the disease."

KBDCA will continue to conduct campaigns to improve the treatment environment for patients with multiple myeloma, Lee added.