MMRF's Annual Road to Victories Cycling Program to Ride Through California Wine Country

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is set to launch its annual endurance cycling program, Road to Victories, on August 24 in California Wine Country. Now in its eighth year, the initiative focuses on raising funds and awareness for the fight against multiple myeloma. The program has previously seen the participation of 160 riders, including 31 myeloma patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, family members, and employees from the program's sponsor, Johnson & Johnson.

Since its inception in 2017, the Road to Victories program has raised over $2 million, with every dollar directly supporting the MMRF's mission to accelerate a cure for multiple myeloma. The upcoming event will feature a six-day cycling route through Napa Valley and Sonoma vineyards, drawing participants from various cities across the United States, including Chicago, San Francisco, Sacramento, Denver, Washington DC, Cleveland, Columbus, and Pennsylvania.

Michael Andreini, President and CEO of the MMRF, expressed gratitude for the dedication of the cyclists and the continued support from Johnson & Johnson. "We are so grateful to these dedicated cyclists and are inspired by their determination to help us defeat myeloma. We thank Johnson & Johnson for their continued support of this important program, which helps us fund critical research, raise awareness, and empower patients," Andreini stated.

Tyrone Brewer, President of U.S. Hematology at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, emphasized the collaborative effort to cure multiple myeloma. "At Johnson & Johnson, we believe in a future where multiple myeloma is no longer a life-threatening disease, but a curable condition. Our longstanding partnership with the MMRF and the Road to Victories program exemplifies our shared commitment to bring hope and progress to the multiple myeloma community. Together, we have the potential to accelerate treatments and redefine what's possible for multiple myeloma patients," Brewer said.

The funds raised through Road to Victories have enabled the MMRF to commit over $600 million to research, with nearly 90% of the total funds directed toward research and related programs. The program has helped bring more than 15 FDA-approved therapies to market, effectively tripling the life expectancy of multiple myeloma patients. Additionally, the initiative has opened nearly 100 clinical trials and built CoMMpass, one of the largest genomic datasets for any cancer, by collecting thousands of samples and tissues from a diverse array of patients.

The significance of the Road to Victories program lies in its multifaceted impact: it not only fosters physical endurance among participants but also serves as a powerful platform for fundraising. The initiative empowers patients, raises awareness, and drives crucial research, making substantial strides toward finding a cure for multiple myeloma. For more information on the program, including cyclists' bios and ride schedules, visit the Road to Victories website. To learn more about the MMRF, visit www.themmrf.org.