SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The CrowdCare Foundation is announcing the first crowd funding initiative for myeloma research at the American Society of Hematology 2014 conference. The Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative (MCRI) is a new approach to funding cancer research; combining the skill and knowledge of leading myeloma specialists with the patient perspective and supportive patient social communities to select and fund promising research projects in myeloma. Research proposals will be accepted on the www.myelomacrowd.org website beginning February 1, 2015. As an initial phase of the MCRI project, both a Scientific Advisory Board and Patient Advisory Board will work together with various research communities to source the most promising research projects in myeloma. The MCRI panel will filter the various projects and initially select two new projects to receive funding. Once chosen, the Myeloma Crowd will launch a crowdfunding campaign for each project in April 2015. All proceeds for each campaign will be donated to the two final projects. Donors will know exactly how their donation is being applied. Leading this initiative are expert researchers and patient advocates. The founding members of the MCRI Scientific Advisory Board include: Dr. Ola Landgren, MD, PhD (MSKCC), Dr. Guido Tricot, MD, PhD (University of Iowa), Dr. Irene Ghobrial, MD, PhD (Dana Farber Cancer Institute), Dr. Rafael Fonseca, MD (Mayo Clinic Scottsdale) and Dr. Noopur Raje, MD, PhD (Massachusetts General Cancer Center). The MCRI Patient Advisory Board includes Pat Killingsworth (multiplemyelomablog.com), Gary Petersen (myelomasurvival.com), Jack Aiello (well-known myeloma patient advocate) and Jenny Ahlstrom (www.myelomacrowd.org, www.mpatient.org.) "Patients with terminal cancers cannot sit by as idle spectators, waiting patiently for the next big discovery or cure," says myeloma patient activist, Jenny Ahlstrom, and founder of the patient-driven CrowdCare Foundation and Myeloma Crowd Radio. With a drop in NCI-funded research, alternative approaches are needed. "Although we have come a long way in improving outcomes for myeloma patients, we still need to do better, says Dr. Tricot. "Further progress will arise from excellent and diverse research initiatives supported via federal and private funds. It is therefore exciting to see a new funding mechanism like the Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative take shape at a time of reduced federal funding for research." "I am delighted to work with an organization whose commitment is to further advances in our management of myeloma patients," says Dr. Fonseca. "Simply put, today's best is not good enough." "Giving patients a seat at the table to drive new research is a new and exciting opportunity for the patient community. I'm excited to help myeloma patients and caregivers give input into what research is done--and how it's funded," says popular myeloma blogger and patient activist Pat Killingsworth. "Crowdfunding and the MCRI is a potential game-changer where new, exciting initiatives can be funded without the crippling limitations of the existing process," says Gary Petersen. Building a connected community to drive outcomes is a key component of the complete solution to find a cure. "The Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative is an innovative effort to help improve research and therapy for patients with myeloma in the new era of connectivity," says Dr. Ghobrial. The simple goal for the joint quest is a cure. "The Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative is an outstanding project devoted to fund research designed to ultimately establish a cure for myeloma. I am honored to be part of this effort," says Dr. Landgren and Dr. Raje echoes the sentiment. "This is a novel and exciting approach to funding research in multiple myeloma and I am honored to be a part of it." About Myeloma Crowd/CrowdCare Foundation The Myeloma Crowd is a division of the CrowdCare Foundation, a patient-driven 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Myeloma Crowd provides patient education, advocacy and now research funding for multiple myeloma. Ahlstrom founded the CrowdCare Foundation, Myeloma Crowd and also hosts online radio interviews with top myeloma specialists worldwide to educate patients and promote clinical trial participation. SOURCE CrowdCare Foundation