A retired Air Force officer will be recognized for resilience and service when the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation holds its annual Washington, D.C., Walk next month at National Harbor.
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Ken Pell will receive the foundation's Spirit of Hope Award, which honors individuals and groups who inspire perseverance and dedication to the MMRF mission. The walk's event chair is Dr. Patel of Virginia Cancer Specialists.
Festivities begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the National Harbor's Capital Canopy. Participants from the District, Maryland and Virginia will join nearly 30,000 people nationwide raising money to accelerate a cure for multiple myeloma, the second most common blood cancer.
For more than 25 years, the MMRF has worked to advance research and improve outcomes for myeloma patients. "The progress we've made in myeloma is extraordinary, but our work is far from over," MMRF President and CEO Michael Andreini said. "Through collaboration, innovation, and the unwavering support of our community and partners, we will continue to push boundaries and deliver life-changing therapies for patients who need them most."
Since its founding, the foundation said it has invested more than $600 million in research, opened more than 100 clinical trials and helped bring more than 15 FDA-approved therapies to market — gains it credits with tripling patients' life expectancy.
The foundation said donations directly support thousands of patients and their families. Participants can sign up and fundraise at walk.themmrf.org/dc2026, or find other walk events and register at www.themmrf.org.
The local event contact is Sonya Amartey, 571-330-5955, amarteys@themmrf.org.
About the MMRF: The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation is the largest nonprofit in the world solely focused on accelerating a cure for every multiple myeloma patient. It develops and delivers next-generation therapies, uses data to identify more personalized treatments and provides patients with information and resources. More at [themmrf.org](https://www.themmrf.org).