To the PMMNG family and friends,

On January 18, we will join the rest of our nation in celebrating the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. At our meeting last Saturday, we focused on the needs of the African American myeloma community by welcoming Dr. Joseph Mikhael, Chief Medical Officer of the IMF. He educated us on the disparities in access and treatment facing communities of color here in Pennsylvania and across the nation. Dr. Edith Mitchell, director of the new Center to Eliminate Cancer Disparities Center at Jefferson, also joined us and offered some local information about the challenges African Americans face in Philadelphia.

After establishing a diversity committee last summer to help expand our outreach, we are inviting you to help us spread the word about the support and information that African American myeloma patients and their families can gain from knowing about our group. Attached is a flyer that we are asking you to share with your family doctor and oncologist either by e-mail or in person. We know that these individuals are key in promoting the resources available to their patients, but often they are not aware of local support groups.

Please join us in this act of service. If you are having virtual meetings with your doctors, ask them how you can best share the flyer about our group with their offices. If you have an in-person meeting, take a printed copy of the flyer with you to leave with the nurse or doctor.

Let’s work together to make 2021 a year where we meet the needs of more communities of color in the Philadelphia area.

Sincerely,

The PMMNG Diversity Committee