“Don’t hesitate to take action against life’s obstacles. One person CAN make a difference. Take that first step!” That’s the advice that Nancy Kaufmann would like to pass along to us – and she should know – she’s taking action, making a difference, and taking necessary steps everyday – to help fund a cure for Multiple Myeloma cancer.
Nancy’s daughter Sarah was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer in the bone marrow, in 2005 at the young age of 22. At the time, they knew nothing about MM. They didn’t know there was no cure, that it had a high recurrence rate, and that the survival rate was only 2-4 years. Seven years later – Sarah is in remission, happily married, and has a mother who has dedicated her professional career to volunteerism and finding a cure for this deadly disease.
Nancy Kaufmann founded and is President & Executive Director of MMORE, Mulitple Myeloma Opportunities for Research and Education. She oversees all operations including fundraising & event planning, PR, sponsorship solicitation, relationship-building with medical researchers and clinicians around the country, and coordinating volunteers. When we asked Nancy how she balanced it all, she claimed, “I’m not sure I do! I’m passionate about doing all I can to support multiple myeloma cancer research for a cure, so I work on this effort 7 days a week and I am happy to do so. The biggest reason I am able to focus so much time on MMORE is that my husband Steve does almost everything else that needs to get done!”
Nancy and Steve have been married for 31 years and have two loving daughters, Sarah and Jessica. She looks forward to growing MMORE, expanding their efforts to raise awareness and funds to advance multiple myeloma research for a cure. MMORE was established in 2008 and to date they’ve funded over $860,000 in medical research. They’ve now set their sights on their goal of having funded $1 million! They’ll do it by increasing their educational programs throughout Ohio, increasing participation in their fundraising events, supporting grassroots fundraisers, identifying and supporting the most promising medical myeloma research to fund, and laying the groundwork to expand into other states.
Nancy is inspired by the people she’s met through MMORE who struggle with this currently incurable cancer and yet remain strong and give strength to others; and those who have lost a loved one to multiple myeloma who have joined forces for the benefit of others. She hopes that she can use this “20 Outstanding Women” recognition to get the word out about her cause and to reach more people who will be served by, or can assist in, supporting their mission. Nancy, consider it done.
For information on MMORE, visit www.MMORE.org.