ABOUT THE PETER BOYLE MEMORIAL FUND
In late 2006, renowned actor Peter Boyle (Young Frankenstein, Everybody Loves Raymond) lost his battle with multiple myeloma, a debilitating cancer of the bone marrow. The following year, his wife, Loraine Alterman Boyle, chaired the 1st Annual Comedy Celebration. The event, hosted by Ray Romano, was a tribute to the comedic actor and was attended by many of his closest friends, including his cast mates on Raymond and comedy superstars Fred Willard, Richard Lewis and Martin Short. It was the most successful fundraiser in the IMF’s history, raising over $550,000 for the Peter Boyle Memorial Fund in support of the IMF’s groundbreaking research programs.
In 2008, the event once again broke IMF fundraising records by raising over $600,000 for the Peter Boyle Memorial Fund. The event was once again hosted by Ray Romano and featured hilarious comedy acts from Kevin James, Jeff Garlin and veteran comedian Robert Klein as well as a live performance by Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi as The Blues Brothers with the Sacred Hearts to a sold-out theatre packed full of fans.
The success of this event is due to the passionate team of entertainment industry professionals that volunteer their time and call upon their friends. Their dedication to fighting myeloma helps the IMF fulfill our mission of improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure.
To learn more about the IMF’s Research Programs, including Bank On a Cure®, Brian D. Novis Junior and Senior Research Grants, the International Myeloma Working Group and more, visit our website at www.myeloma.org.
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL MYELOMA FOUNDATION
The International Myeloma Foundation is the oldest and largest myeloma organization, reaching more than 185,000 members in 113 countries worldwide. The IMF is dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure. At the same time it supports the medical community in its fight against myeloma with a variety of programs and services for health care professionals. Multiple myeloma is a complex, (and often misdiagnosed), cancer of the bone marrow that attacks and destroys bones. At least 20,000 people will receive this diagnosis in the next year.
The IMF is a Charity Navigator 4 star charity, the highest rating possible, and dedicates itself to reaching myeloma patients, their families and doctors with comprehensive, empowering education, caring and meaningful support, dedicated and effective advocacy and groundbreaking, life-changing research. To learn more about the IMF’s programs and services in detail, please download our 2008 Annual Report.