Blood Disease: Multiple Myeloma Information and Support
To Stay in the Game, Maintain Your Frame - 2011 Results Report
Details of NBCI's multi-channel national and grassroots multiple myeloma media campaign and targeted outreach to traditional and social media and patients/caregivers``
This program was nominated for the Public Relations Society of America “2012 Bronze Anvil” award!
Details of NBCI's multi-channel national and grassroots multiple myeloma media campaign and targeted outreach to traditional and social media and patients/caregivers``
This program was nominated for the Public Relations Society of America “2012 Bronze Anvil” award!
- The National Black Church Initiative Launches Innovative Multiple Myeloma Health Prevention Campaign .pdf [114kb]
Rev. Anthony Evans, President of NBCI says, "The National Black Church Initiative is proud to partner with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation ("Novartis") to increase awareness about this little known disease.
We are excited to share these amazing findings with you, regarding an important pilot program that was launched between The National Black Church Initiative and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).The purpose of the Myeloma Link Pilot Program was to implement a church-based initiative in black communities, particularly low-income communities, in an effort to: 1) heighten awareness of myeloma; 2) increase knowledge about the disease and treatment; 3) provide information and resources that will empower patients to seek novel treatments and enroll in clinical trials in a timely manner, and 4) encourage patients and caregivers to use a new, sustainable support infrastructure. The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) was a key partner in this pilot.
The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) is a coalition of 34,000 African-American and Latino churches working to eradicate racial disparities in healthcare, technology, education, housing, and the environment. NBCI's mission is to provide critical wellness information to all of its members, congregants, churches and the public. The National Black Church Initiative's methodology is utilizing faith and sound health science.
The aim of the initiative is to offer our member congregants and the public helpful and healthy science-based tips on how to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The website also offers the latest information on housing, education, technology, and environmental issues.
The National Black Church Initiative's purpose is to partner with major organizations and officials whose main mission is to reduce racial disparities in the variety of areas cited above. NBCI offers faith-based, out-of-the-box and cutting-edge solutions to stubborn economic and social issues. NBCI's programs are governed by credible statistical analysis, science-based strategies and techniques, and methods that work.
The Myeloma Link pilot activities were implemented in Atlanta, GA and Washington, D.C. between March, 2017 and May, 2018. They focused on the general population as well as members of key churches, interested community members, and myeloma patients and caregivers. These populations were reached with a variety of activities including: 1) Media activities and events, 2) Church-based awareness building events; 3) Education programs (general awareness, topic-specific, in-depth Myeloma 101); 4) Myeloma Ambassadors; 5) the creation of a Directory of Resources and Cancer Centers; and 6) a Support Group Needs Assessment.
We have attached the original grant application, the statistical impact. the executive summary, and the evaluation.
Enhancing Myeloma Knowledge and Access to Latest Treatments in African American Communities
As black Americans are at twice the risk for myeloma as whites, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has joined forces with the National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a faith-based coalition of 34,000 churches comprised of 15.7 million African Americans, to increase access to education and treatment for myeloma in the African American communities with the Myeloma Link Program.
To heighten awareness and increase knowledge about multiple myeloma and available treatment
To empower patients to seek novel treatments and enroll in clinical trials
To encourage patients and caregivers to take advantage of the extentsive support provided by LLS
This new, collaborative effort began with a pilot program in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, on March 19, 2017, with "Myeloma Sunday" at churches in both locations.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) new initiative in collaboration with the National Black Church Initiative.
- The Myeloma Link program includes:
- Myeloma Ambassadors (patients or caregivers) to provide support and information
- Myeloma Sundays consisting of a "health sermon" by a respected healthcare provider during church services
- Health Alert fact sheets placed into church bulletins
- In-depth healthcare provider-led education programs that build on information provided in the Myeloma Sundays
- Church-based support groups
- Directory of national and local myeloma resources
- Master's level oncology professionals at LLS available to answer disease and treatment questions and provide additional support
Reports and Papers on the LLS/NBCI Myeloma Link Pilot Program
Taking it to Church: Enhancing Myeloma Knowledge and Access to Latest Treatments To Address Health Disparities in African American Communities
-The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Launches Myeloma Link: Connecting African American Communities to Information, Expert Care, and Support in collaboration with The National Black Church Initiative
-The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Launches Myeloma Link: Connecting African American Communities to Information, Expert Care, and Support in collaboration with The National Black Church Initiative
Evaluation of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Myeloma Link Pilot Program Executive Summary
The purpose of the Myeloma Link Pilot Program was to implement a church-based initiative in black communities, particularly low-income communities, in an effort to provide information and resources that will empower patients to seek novel treatments and enroll in clinical trials in a timely manner. The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) was a key partner in this pilot.
The purpose of the Myeloma Link Pilot Program was to implement a church-based initiative in black communities, particularly low-income communities, in an effort to provide information and resources that will empower patients to seek novel treatments and enroll in clinical trials in a timely manner. The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) was a key partner in this pilot.
Evaluation of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Myeloma Link Pilot Program
Shattuck and Associates (S&A), a program planning and evaluation firm, was contracted by LLS to conduct an evaluation of the LLS Myeloma Link Pilot Program. S&A, in collaboration with LLS, conducted surveys to evaluate Myeloma Link activities including: Myeloma Sundays, Fellowship Hours, In-depth and Awareness Education Programs.
Shattuck and Associates (S&A), a program planning and evaluation firm, was contracted by LLS to conduct an evaluation of the LLS Myeloma Link Pilot Program. S&A, in collaboration with LLS, conducted surveys to evaluate Myeloma Link activities including: Myeloma Sundays, Fellowship Hours, In-depth and Awareness Education Programs.
Measuring the Impact of the NBCI LLS Program
Shattuck and Associates (S&A) conducted in-depth interviews with project staff, Myeloma Ambassadors, and participants who were involved with planning and delivering Myeloma Link activities. Finally, S&A supported LLS in tracking Myeloma Link events and community interactions as well as media outreach. This report presents the findings from this evaluation.
Shattuck and Associates (S&A) conducted in-depth interviews with project staff, Myeloma Ambassadors, and participants who were involved with planning and delivering Myeloma Link activities. Finally, S&A supported LLS in tracking Myeloma Link events and community interactions as well as media outreach. This report presents the findings from this evaluation.
If you are interested in becoming involved in this pilot program, please contact: Abby Williams at LLS – 914-821-8815 or abby.williams@lls.org.
To learn more about myeloma and early signs and symptoms,please visit www.llls.org or call 844-955-5465 to speak directly to one of our Information Specialists.Praise the Lord Saints!
The Multiple Myeloma Health Sermon .pdf [106kb] is part of our commitment to providing sound health information to our members under the National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) Health Emergency Declaration.Let the church say Amen!
NBCI is pleased to provide a list of the key Cancer advocacy groups who have provided program information and can offer further assistance to people dealing with Multiple Myeloma.
Continue to the Additional Resources Section »
The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) 
is conducting a study to determine the underlying reasons for the increased risk of myeloma in certain races and in family members.
This study will provide important information that will help all patients with myeloma.
NBCI is happy to work together with the IMF to help raise awareness about multiple myeloma among African Americans. If you have multiple myeloma or know someone affected by this disease, please ask them to complete this survey.
is conducting a study to determine the underlying reasons for the increased risk of myeloma in certain races and in family members. This study will provide important information that will help all patients with myeloma.
NBCI is happy to work together with the IMF to help raise awareness about multiple myeloma among African Americans. If you have multiple myeloma or know someone affected by this disease, please ask them to complete this survey.
Download the Latest NBCI Health-at a-Glance .pdf [617kb]
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer of the plasma cells. This disease can lead to bone problems including pain, fractures and spinal cord compression, when cancer cells wear away the bone.
