Fifteen thousand people in the U.S. are diagnosed with this disease every year, and twelve thousand will die. However, newer, targeted treatments are becoming more available, and these have been effective in controlling the disease. Myeloma patients have the potential for living far longer and better than ever thought possible just a few short years ago.

But nearly all of these new treatments are only available through clinical trials, and the goal of the Dr. Mel Goldstein Multiple Myeloma Research Fund is to bring these trials to Connecticut. Those of us with the disease suffer from painfully fractured and weakened bones. Travel is very difficult, and if some of these new drugs could be brought to Connecticut, then hundreds, even thousands of people will be able to live and enjoy life in ways never thought possible.

So, the main objective of the fund is to bring these treatments home. In addition, through the research involved with these trials, even newer therapies will be discovered along with exciting combinations of drugs. The treatment landscape for this deadly disease is rapidly changing, and hopefully, through the fund, many in Connecticut will benefit from these discoveries.