Juneteenth 2023 and Multiple Myeloma

The HealthTree Foundation for Multiple Myeloma hosted its second annual Black Myeloma Health Juneteenth celebration. We loved celebrating this day with our Black Myeloma Community Chapter. 

The virtual Juneteenth celebration game evening was on Monday, June 19th. We played bingo, answered trivia and had a scavenger hunt, all themed around Juneteenth. Prizes were from many wonderful Black-owned businesses across the country. It was so nice to spend the evening together. 

What is Juneteenth?

The holiday was initially known as Manumission Day, named after the act of an owner freeing their captives. Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19th. The name Juneteenth comes from a combination of the words June and nineteenth. The holiday is also known as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day. Juneteenth is considered the longest-running African American holiday and has been called America's second Independence Day.

After the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, which gave the estimated 3 million people enslaved in the Confederate states their freedom, the Black Americans living in Texas had no idea that slavery had been abolished and the people enslaving them had no interest in telling them or ending the harsh practice.

It wasn’t until June 19, 1865 when Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended that the more than 250,000 enslaved Blacks were now free from slavery.

Why is it celebrated?

Juneteenth is important because it honors and draws attention to the truth about America’s history of racism and the legacy of slavery. At the same time, the holiday also celebrates the lives, achievements, and contributions of African American and Black culture. It gives an opportunity to look at the challenges Blacks have faced (and continue to face) as well as a moment to celebrate progress and positive thinking and strategies for the future.

How is it celebrated?

The original observances of freedom first involved church-centered community gatherings, including prayer meetings and the singing of spirituals. Celebrants wore new clothes as a way of representing their newfound freedom. As time went on annual traditions were established that grew into Juneteenth Celebrations. Since African Americans were often prohibited from using public facilities for their celebrations, they often held their annual celebrations at their churches or out in rural areas around rivers and creeks that could provide for additional activities such as fishing, horseback riding and barbecues.

Today, throughout the country Juneteenth is celebrated in various ways including prayer and religious services, speeches, historical reenactments, educational events, family gatherings and picnics, and festivals with music, food, and dancing. One of the most important and immediately impactful actions anyone can take in celebrating is to support black-owned businesses and organizations.

Is Juneteenth a federal holiday?

In 1980, Juneteenth was made a state holiday in Texas. In the years that followed, other states began to officially recognize the holiday. As more and more people became aware of the celebration, efforts intensified to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. After years in the making, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.

Juneteenth is important, because it reminds African Americans of what we came through and what we can achieve. It’s relevant to our myeloma journey as we continue to show strength and perseverance through our challenges. Allyship helps us push through as we celebrate life and our daily victories. Let's all pause to commemorate this very special day.

How is Juneteenth connected to multiple myeloma? 

Black and African Americans are 2-3xs more likely to be diagnosed with precursor conditions of multiple myeloma, which leads to active myeloma. They also tend to experience healthcare disparities, have less access to standard-of-care treatments, experience delays in diagnosis, and receive less education about their disease from their healthcare providers. 

Our goal is to educate, connect and support the Black Myeloma Community and spread awareness of multiple myeloma to Black and African American communities. We also love coming together to celebrate this special occasion within the Black culture.