Yelak Biru

Diagnosed at the young age of 25 with stage III multiple myeloma, Yelak Biru is a patient turned myeloma research advocate. Working with a team of medical practitioners and educating himself through support group leadership, information resources, advocacy sites, social media, and the IMF, Yelak has successfully integrated myeloma to his life for over two decades.

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Until Next Year!

Yelak Biru |

#ASH20 was fully virtual due to the pandemic. #ASH21 will be a hybrid of virtual and in-person meetings by choice. At least that is my hope and prediction. The virtual format allowed us to log from the comfort of our home and we were at the mercy of the WIFI and not an overflowing meeting […]

How Virtual #ASH20 is Going and much more!

Yelak Biru |

The International Myeloma Foundation Social Media team has been active even though this year’s American Society of Hematology meeting is taking place virtually. Not only attending session virtually and engaging with researchers, clinicians, pharmaceutical representatives, and others; but also, coming together for virtual debriefs and virtual recharge. I miss seeing these myeloma friends in person, […]

The Outcome Is Yet To Get Better!

Yelak Biru |

The life expectancy of standard-risk myeloma patients has increased significantly in the last decade, thanks to novel therapies. Some trials that are in progress, such as the MAIA trial comparing Revilmid and dexamethasone (Rd) versus Daratumumab, Revilmid and dexamethasone (DRd) have not yet met their progression-free survival (PFS) end state and are at more than […]

Twenty-five – Twenty-five

Yelak Biru |

When I was diagnosed with myeloma at age 25 and was told “You have myeloma. It is incurable but it is highly treatable. Come to my office tomorrow, and we will discuss your options.”  And when, soon after that, I was told the life expectancy of myeloma patients is 2-3 years. Or, with outstanding response […]