Second Milestone Achieved For Patient-Driven, Crowdsourced Funding Initiative

SALT LAKE CITY, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative (MCRI) completed its second milestone with the selection of ten proposals that will now be evaluated for further review. The MCRI is the first patient-led, scientifically validated funding initiative uncovering solutions for high-risk multiple myeloma patients.

Stage 2 of the MCRI included preliminary vetting by the Scientific Advisory Board. "After careful review of a large number of innovative projects focusing on high-risk myeloma, we have now selected ten projects and invited the investigators to develop and submit their full proposals for review. This is a very exciting time for myeloma research!" said Dr. Ola Landgren, MD, PhD, and Scientific Advisory Board Member. Additional board member Dr. Noopur Raje, MD, PhD said, "I have been amazed at the enthusiastic high-quality responses and the quick turnaround time. This approach forges a way forward to reach a broader community and I look forward to participating in the review process."

In Stage 3 of the MCRI, the ten investigators will be invited to submit a complete proposal and participate on the popular Myeloma Crowd Radio show (https://www.myelomacrowd.org/myelomacrowd-radio/myeloma-crowd-radio-episodes/). Myeloma patient Jenny Ahlstrom began the show in 2013 with the goal to help patients understand the latest in research and encourage clinical trial participation. The high-risk myeloma series will give patients and the community at large a chance to call in and ask pertinent questions about the projects. After the show, a full transcript is available for patients to review, share and "like" using social media.

In the final stage, both the Scientific Advisory Board and Patient Advisory Board will join together to select the final number of projects to fund.

High-risk myeloma patients are anxious to find solutions after exhausting the now growing number of multiple myeloma therapies. As myeloma progresses, it becomes more aggressive, many times acquiring new high-risk features as it matures. Pat Killingsworth, myeloma patient and Patient Advisory Board member noted, "I recently relapsed for the third time.  As someone who's running out of options, I appreciate the MCRI's focus on supporting promising research that has the highest likelihood of helping patients like me right away."  For patients like Pat who start their journey with low-risk myeloma but become refractory to existing therapies over time, and for those whose myeloma advances quickly and aggressively from the beginning, a cure can't come soon enough.

About Myeloma Crowd/CrowdCare Foundation
The Myeloma Crowd is a division of the CrowdCare Foundation, a patient-driven 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We believe that patients can be part of the solution to find a cure for their rare diseases by supporting the research community. The Myeloma Crowd provides patient education, advocacy and now research funding for multiple myeloma. www.myelomacrowd.org