About Us
Blacks have twice the incidence of myeloma as white Americans. What’s more, studies show that Black patients are significantly less likely to receive the latest treatments and are more likely to experience treatment delays.
Further, other patient populations with myeloma have greater improvement in survival rates than Blacks, and research suggest that time from diagnosis to initiation of therapy is significantly greater for this population. They also receive significantly less autologous stem cell transplantation and are significantly less likely to enter a clinical trial than White Americans, further perpetuating disparities in quality of care.
In response to these inequities, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) launched a national outreach program in 2017 called “Myeloma Link,” to educate Black communities about myeloma and other blood cancers, help patients access optimal care and navigate the treatment landscape more effectively.
Specifically, Myeloma Link partners with trusted institutions within Black communities to:
- Raise awareness about the disparities in myeloma incidence and treatment, signs and symptoms of the disease, and the resources that LLS offers;
- Provide information and resources that will equip Black myeloma patients with the knowledge and tools needed to seek novel, state of the art treatments, including clinical trials, in a timely manner.
LLS Campaigns
