Our impact

Together with our unique community, we have transformed treatment and care for myeloma patients.  

The average life expectancy for a person living with myeloma has quadrupled since we first started our work back in 1997. 

From no myeloma-specific cancer treatments nearly 30 years ago, to a range of treatments that can be given in multiple combinations, today. We are accelerating new clinical trials, and maximising the number of patients that can benefit from being on a trial. And we’re finding ways to speed up diagnosis to reduce harmful delays. 

That’s real progress and it didn’t just happen – it was hard fought for, with support from people like you. 

Together, we are the cure. 

Blood Cancer Awareness Month 2026 Update

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and in this CEO update, Sophie Castell reflects on the progress we’ve made together for people affected by myeloma.

From the Make Myeloma a Priority campaign and securing commitments from the Welsh Government, to improving access to NHS treatments and challenging unfair NICE restrictions, this update highlights how Myeloma UK’s campaigning is driving real change.

Sophie also shares the latest on our Closer to a Cure project, the impact of our Know the Warning Signs awareness campaign, and what lies ahead as the International Myeloma Society comes to Glasgow.

Our impact in 2025

Read about some of the amazing things we achieved throughout 2025.

7 myeloma treatment approvals

We know how important it is that people can access the latest treatments and have the best possible care so that they can live well with myeloma. Last year, we turned your evidence into action, driving the approval of new treatments.  

These cutting-edge treatments, target myeloma in different ways giving people longer remissions.  

We know for people living with myeloma, having treatment options is key. We’ll continue to keep fighting for myeloma treatments to be available to everyone who needs them.

“This treatment is really manageable. It gives people a chance to live their lives, to do normal things as well as exceptional things.

As patients all we want is to have options, to have a future ahead of us.”

Sue is in remission after starting talquetamab, which was approved for use on the NHS England and Wales in 2025

Knowledge is power

In 2025, our partnership with the Race Equality Foundation (REF) produced powerful results. Together, we worked with Black African and Black Caribbean communities across the UK to co-produce an awareness-raising campaign for Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September.  

Along with creating videos, the co-production group also produced a series of posters designed to be displayed in surgeries and other health and community settings.  

We’ll continue to work in partnership to improve awareness and outcomes for people affected by myeloma. 

“I want people to listen to their bodies. If you feel something is off, go get it checked out. If doctors aren’t
listening, advocate for yourself. We only get one body. We only get one chance at life.”

Simone, living with myeloma, is hoping that by speaking out she can help dispel the taboos around cancer in her community.

£500,000 invested in clinical trials

We’re committed to ensuring that clinical trials are driven by the needs of people living with myeloma. That’s why we made a £500,000 multi-year investment at the Clinical Trials Research Unit at the University of Leeds, known as the MyeTRIAL Partnership, putting people living with myeloma at the heart of trial design.

MyeTRIAL will deliver early phase trials that focus on issues that might have previously been overlooked.

“All too often in trials what matters most to patients are not put at the centre of trial design. This is an opportunity to make sure that trials are designed with patients in mind and that what we learn is used by expert researchers in the UK and internationally.

That’s an amazing opportunity to have a huge impact.”

Shelagh McKinley, Director of Research and Advocacy at Myeloma UK

These are just some of the ways we changed lives in 2025.

Read our Impact Report to find out more.

2025 in numbers

More than 1,500 Know the Warning Signs posters sent to GP surgeries across the UK – helping to raise vital symptom awareness

Nearly 2,000 supporters wrote to their MPs asking for early myeloma diagnosis to be prioritised

We answered 1,584 calls – 100% of people said they felt less anxious after speaking to one of our Myeloma Information Specialists

409 people attended one of our 6 in-person Infodays – 92% told us they felt better connected after attending

More than 103,000 patient information booklets were sent out in 2025 – helping people to understand their myeloma better

We marked 10 years of our CSEP programme, celebrating the 71 accredited and 29 reaccredited hospitals who are driving excellence in myeloma care.