July 24, 2009
The Honorable Tom Harkin
The Honorable Thad Cochran
Chairman
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human
Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
Committee on Appropriations
US Senate
US Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Cochran:
On behalf of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), the oldest and largest myeloma
foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward
prevention and a cure, we are writing to urge you to continue making funding for cancer research
and control programs a priority in the fiscal year (FY) 2010 Labor-HHS appropriations bill.
Specifically, we advocate funding levels of $33.349 billion for the National Institutes of Health
(NIH), $5.957 billion for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and $6 million for the Geraldine
Ferraro Blood Cancer Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in
FY 2010.
Myeloma is a cancer in the bone marrow affecting production of red cells, white cells, and stem
cells.
It is also called "multiple myeloma" because multiple areas of bone marrow may be
involved. Myeloma is the second most common blood cancer after lymphomas affecting an
estimated 750,000 people worldwide and its prevalence appears to be is increasing significantly.
In 2009, 20,580 Americans will be diagnosed with myeloma and 10,580 are expected to lose their
battle with this disease.
No one knows the exact causes of myeloma. Doctors can seldom explain why one person
develops this disease and another does not. Research has shown that people with certain risk
factors such as age and race are more likely than others to develop myeloma. Growing older
increases the chance of developing multiple myeloma as most people with myeloma are
diagnosed after age 65. However, in recent years the diagnosis of myeloma in people 40 years of
age and younger appears to have become more common as our ability to detect and diagnose this
disease has improved. The risk of myeloma is highest among African Americans and lowest
among Asian Americans.
Myeloma research is producing extraordinary breakthroughs leading to new therapies that
translate into longer survival and improved quality of life for myeloma patients. Although
myeloma was once considered a death sentence with limited options for treatment, today there are
dozens of drugs in clinical trials for myeloma in the United States alone and several recently-
developed drug regimens can be used in sequence to help myeloma patients maintain their daily
routines for years and even decades.
12650 Riverside Drive Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607
800-452-CURE (2873)
818-487-7455 telephone 818-487-7454 fax
www.myeloma.org
Your support is greatly appreciated for increased funding for myeloma programs at the NIH, NCI,
and the CDC. The IMF stands ready to work you to advance policies and support programs that
are necessary to the health and well-being of myeloma patients.
Sincerely,
Susie Novis
David Girard
President
Executive Director
12650 Riverside Drive Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607
800-452-CURE (2873)
818-487-7455 telephone 818-487-7454 fax
www.myeloma.org