Tackle Cancer Foundation Says New Drug POMALYST® Follows Myeloma Patient/Marathon Runner Don Wright across Finish Line

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leaders of the Tackle Cancer Foundation today said there’s important news for patients who have multiple myeloma, a cancer of cells in the bone marrow. The Food and Drug Administration has approved POMALYST^® (pomalidomide) for patients who are running out of options. It’s the same therapeutic that patient Don Wright has used while running marathons. Don has completed races in all 50 states, despite having cancer and despite being 71 years old when he reached his goal.

“Living with myeloma is a marathon not a sprint, and we need multiple medications for the long haul”

“Living with myeloma is a marathon not a sprint, and we need multiple medications for the long haul,” said marathoner Don Wright. “I’m pleased that the medication I got only through a clinical trial will now be available to patients from their physicians.”

Don races under his “E-Race Cancer” banner on behalf of the Tackle Cancer Foundation and Team Continuum. Both charities help pay essential cost-of-living bills for cancer patients and both were founded by patients with myeloma - Paul Nicholls for Team Continuum and former NFL player Elijah Alexander for Tackle Cancer.

“Elijah perked up when the novel therapies saved him from the ravages of a bone marrow transplant,” said Kimberly Alexander who runs Tackle Cancer in memory of her late husband. “With REVLIMID^® he could be up and about, coaching his sons’ sports teams, and even starting a foundation to help others. But myeloma cannot yet be cured. When current medications stop working there is nothing left. That’s why new drugs are so important, to strengthen and extend our ability to fight this disease.”

Kimberly added, “Don achieved his goal on behalf of myeloma patients, and POMALYST won FDA approval for myeloma patients, both critical achievements.”

POMALYST is a pill that Don takes once a day, leaving him literally free to run around the country.

“It’s not your grandfather’s chemotherapy,” said Don, who now plans to run with his wife and daughter to help them achieve their own goal of marathons in all 50 states.

ABOUT THE TACKLE CANCER FOUNDATION

The Tackle Cancer Foundation helps pay family utility bills up to $2500 per year. A portion of the proceeds goes to the International Myeloma Foundation for research. More information about TCF can be found at www.tacklecancerfoundation.org.

Information about E-Race Cancer is available at www.facebook.com/ERACECANCER