About AzMN

AzMN was founded in June 2004 by Barbara B. Kavanagh. Our mission is to promote awareness, education and advocacy for improved treatment and quality of life, for multiple myeloma patients, their families and caregivers.  Our members are patients, families, health care professionals, volunteers and others concerned about myeloma. AzMN is a nonprofit charity (501)(c)(3) organization that conducts outreach Events and Educational programs for Arizona Myeloma cancer patients, their families and caregivers, with special consideration for the under served: African American, Asian /Pacific, Hispanic American and Native American. Our Vision:

• Continue to build a network of support and resources for myeloma patients, their families and caregivers.
• Increase knowledge about cancer research through community cancer awareness programs and seminars.
• Encourage stronger cancer patient advocacy through training and education.
• Provide culturally appropriate cancer information and outreach to the under-served.
• Develop a collaboration of cancer patients, science, business and the community to support cancer research, and improve cancer treatment for all.

 Our Mission: Our mission is to promote collaboration, awareness, education and advocacy for improved treatment and quality of life, for multiple myeloma patients, their families and ALL cancer caregivers with special consideration to the underserved. Education –

• To provide the most up to date information on Myeloma through symposiums, workshops and meetings open to all free of charge.
• Help others to find informative resources to learn about Myeloma and how it is treated
• Identify resources for more information on clinical trials and research progress

Awareness – Alerting patients to Arizona support group locations, specialist doctors and medical facilities with Myeloma experience

• Providing local guidance, training and information to support groups throughout Arizona
• Bringing more awareness of Myeloma to Arizona residents
• Emphasis on creating awareness of Myeloma in the African-American, Hispanic and Native American populations of Arizona

Advocacy –

• Liaison with other national and local organizations focused on all forms of cancer
• Provide state and local government departments with information about AzMN activities to gain their support where appropriate.

Why Focus on Cancer Caregivers? “Family caregivers have been ‘silent partners’ in health care delivery, functioning as de facto care coordinators. During care handoffs, family caregivers make important contributions to ensuring quality, safety, and adherence to patient preferences; their role needs to be formally recognized and supported.” (Source: Coleman & Williams, Journal of Hospital Medicine, Sept/Oct 2007)