Category: Brandpoint Health

2018-03-13T08:01:00

(BPT) – Suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes, Gloria Stephens became extremely bloated and could barely walk, so she knew something else was wrong. She soon learned that her kidneys were failing, and she joined the ranks of the 1 in 7 people with kidney disease. Often called a “silent killer,” kidney disease can cause a person to lose up to 90 percent of kidney function and not even know it.

For National Kidney Month this March, Fresenius Kidney Care — a leading dialysis provider with more than 2,400 centers nationwide caring for more than 190,000 people — urges people to understand the symptoms of kidney disease and what to do if you suspect you may be at risk.

“I tell all of my friends and anyone I meet — you’ve got to ask questions,” recommends Gloria, 69, of Jacksonville, Florida, who now goes to a Fresenius Kidney Care center to receive her life-saving dialysis, which filters her blood because her kidneys no longer function effectively. “You’ve got to know what’s going on in your body.”

Here’s what you should keep in mind to protect yourself from kidney disease:

1. Know Your Risk. As Gloria learned, the two leading causes of kidney disease are high blood pressure and diabetes. Other risk factors include family history of kidney failure, kidney stones, smoking, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Your age — especially if you are over 50 — overall health and even ethnicity can also put you at greater risk for kidney disease. If you are African American, Hispanic or Native American, you may be more prone to the risk factors that lead to kidney disease.

2. Recognize the Symptoms. Signs and symptoms of kidney disease often occur after the condition has progressed, so early detection is key to maintaining kidney health. Talk to your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your urine, or if you’re experiencing fatigue, itching, swelling in your hands or feet, shortness of breath or pain in the small of your back. Make sure your loved ones are aware of the symptoms, too, because they may notice something you don’t.

3. Get Screened Regularly. If you are at risk for kidney disease, you should be screened by your doctor at least once a year, including blood and urine tests like glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Your estimated GFR (eGFR) is calculated using blood as well as taking into consideration age, weight, body size and gender. The earlier kidney disease is detected, the greater the benefit of treatment.

4. Focus on What Matters Most. While there are many reasons to get healthy, you should focus on what’s important to you, whether it’s spending time with family and friends or doing an activity you love. You’re more likely to stick with a care plan if you have a goal.

“There are a number of things you can easily do to get healthier and decrease your risk of kidney disease, starting with regular testing,” says Dr. Jeffrey Hymes, chief medical officer at Fresenius Kidney Care.

After Gloria was diagnosed with kidney disease, she didn’t expect to walk, drive or live alone again. But she draws strength from her family, stays active and is able to do all of those things. “I get myself to do something every day. If you don’t let negative things turn you around, you’ll be successful,” said Gloria, who is active in her sorority and church and volunteers with children. “The person who I think gives me the greatest amount of encouragement is my little 7-year-old grandniece named Kendall. It’s wonderful when you have a little person in your heart and in your life to keep you going.”

“Patients like Gloria show that focusing on what you love is a powerful factor in coping with kidney disease,” says Dr. Hymes. “Kidney patients and their care teams should address both the physical and emotional aspects of their health and focus on their ‘why’ as part of their treatment plan.”

Learn more about kidney disease by visiting www.freseniuskidneycare.com.

2018-03-08T08:01:00

(BPT) – From work to working out, kids’ activities to household tasks and so much more, modern life has never been busier. The problem is hectic schedules can lead to unnecessary stress.

If you’re one of the many people who feel frazzled on a regular basis, you’re probably longing for a vacation or a day at the spa. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways to cut stress that you can sneak into everyday life. From mealtime to bedtime, if you start embracing small moments to be more mindful, you’ll be surprised how fast you can cut down on overall stress.

Here are five simple examples of how you can find your own moments of Zen today:

1. Take a 5-minute walk.

Whether it’s getting fresh air or just getting yourself moving, a change of place and pace can reduce stress and give you a few moments to relax, especially during hectic times. For example, take a 5-minute break while dinner’s cooking to walk around the block. Weather not right for a walk? Give your body a quick stretch with an at-home yoga session.

2. Find quick-and-easy solutions.

If making dinner for your family seems like a daunting task, choose quick-and-easy options designed to take the hassle out of meal prep, like SeaPak’s Shrimp Scampi or Popcorn Shrimp. The frozen food aisle is a great place to begin your journey toward finding your happy place in the kitchen. Here, you can find a variety of products that taste great and require minimal prep work, so you can dedicate more time to doing the things you love, like spending quality time with your family.

3. Choose quality over quantity.

Make the most of your time each day by being intentional with your activities. Whether it’s playing a new board game with the kids after dinner or watching a TV show with your spouse, small quality moments can help you relax and enjoy yourself and your family when at home.

4. Take time to reflect.

When using great-tasting, low-hassle products like SeaPak to make dinner, you’ll be spending way less time in the kitchen. Take those extra moments to reflect on everything you accomplished during your day or week. This will help give you a sense of pride and is a real confidence-booster.

5. Break from technology.

Take a break from technology, even if it’s only for 5 minutes. Set down your phone, turn off the television and step away from all electronics. Just giving your mind a break from the active world of technology can reduce stress and help you mentally reset, especially during mealtimes, where being present is particularly important.

These are just five simple examples, but moments of Zen can be found anywhere if you take the time to look for them. Remember, the little moments are what make the biggest impact in life, and by embracing mindfulness, you’re setting the stage to be able to focus on what really matters.

2018-03-14T11:31:01

(BPT) – More than 20 years ago, as Jennifer Digmann focused on completing her coursework and graduating from college, she began experiencing numbness in her hands and feet and eventually double vision.

After several visits to her primary care doctor, an ophthalmologist and finally a neurologist, she received the diagnosis: multiple sclerosis (MS).

Today, Jennifer lives with a progressive form of MS, a chronic disease that often strikes in the prime of life, has no cure and is the leading cause of non-traumatic disability in young adults. Progressive forms of MS are the most debilitating. Like others who are affected, Jennifer’s symptoms have continued to worsen over time and her level of disability has increased.

Approximately 400,000 people in the U.S. are living with MS, according to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. Up to 15 percent are diagnosed with a progressive form of the disease (called Primary Progressive MS), and the majority of those diagnosed with Relapsing MS will transition to a progressive form later in life, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

For Jennifer, handling her sadness and fear and accepting her diagnosis was almost as challenging as her symptoms. People living with progressive forms of MS tend to experience more difficulties with walking and remaining in the workforce, and they require more assistance with everyday activities, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Progressive forms of MS remain frustratingly difficult to treat, primarily because doctors do not fully understand why the disease progresses. Also, many clinical trials for new medicines have been unsuccessful. More research is needed to better understand the underlying biology driving this condition, as well as to develop additional treatment options.

On March 28, 2018, the first ever Progressive MS Day was celebrated by several MS advocacy groups and state governments around the country. This annual day of awareness was created with the goal of recognizing people living with progressive forms of MS, offering support, highlighting resources, programs and services, and, most importantly, calling for further research to advance their care and reduce disability.

Jennifer and her husband, Dan, who himself lives with Relapsing MS, count themselves among the most enthusiastic supporters of Progressive MS Day. As a couple, the Digmanns have dedicated their lives to inspiring and helping others living with MS by sharing their own experiences and perspectives through their blog and radio show.

“My life is not perfect always, but it’s pretty darn good. This disease, my multiple sclerosis, doesn’t hold me back,” says Jennifer.

Seeing the challenges that Jennifer faces with her condition made Dan excited about Progressive MS Day. “Finally, there’s something for people with the progressive forms of MS. Now, hopefully, that opens the door for more awareness and resources, and that’s why a day like this is pivotal,” says Dan.

2018-03-12T15:19:01

(BPT) – Raising backyard chickens has been a growing trend in the United States over the past several years. Consumers crave choice in their family’s diet, which often includes food they have grown or raised themselves. Raising a backyard flock helps consumers have more control over the eggs their family eats, but bringing home chicks for a backyard flock is just the beginning.

The happiest backyard chickens have the healthiest diets, and the best eggs come from hens eating the most nutritious feed. Today, we are increasingly focused on the impact food has on our family’s health. Hobbyists like to feed their flock the way they feed themselves: non-GMO, organic, soy-free, omega-free and all natural.

Having a say in what goes into the food their family eats is one of the main reasons people choose to raise backyard chickens. There are 2.9 million households in the U.S. raising chickens, and 62 percent of backyard hobbyists anticipate adding to their flock in the next three years. Raising chickens is a way to extend food supply, and hobbyists don’t plan to scale back.

Providing healthy food for your family begins with the source. Nutrena poultry feed makes it easy by using wholesome ingredients in its selection of affordable, homegrown, healthy poultry feeds. By providing your chickens with the highest-quality nutrition, you’re sure to have the freshest eggs for that Sunday morning family breakfast.

With companies like Whole Foods Market reporting 426 percent growth in non-GMO sales from 2010 to 2014, it’s evident that consumers want to know what they’re eating. That’s why Nutrena also offers a USDA-certified organic line of poultry feed that is non-GMO.

The Nutrena poultry feed portfolio includes three different feed lines for each type of poultry hobbyist. Whether you’re starting your chicks, supporting your layers or raising meat birds, Nutrena poultry feed offers the nutrition they need.

For more information about the full line of Nutrena feed, visit NutrenaWorld.com.

2018-03-20T13:31:02

(BPT) – Are you in a cooking rut? If you find yourself making the same things over and over again, it’s time for some fresh inspiration. As seasons turn, you might crave different types of food. This is the perfect reason to think beyond the ordinary and experiment with new flavors.

We asked registered dietitian and nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner for her favorite tips to help breathe new life into your weekly meal lineup without compromising taste and nutrition.

Eat fresh: Farm-to-table is big at restaurants, and your local farmers market offers a bounty of fresh fare that’s likely plucked within miles of your home. Visit and enjoy exploring the colorful fare for sale while gaining inspiration for your next dish. The sweet peas and strawberries you buy may have just come off the plant that very morning. Stock up on fresh, nutritious foods for snacking and cooking. You may even discover new produce you’ve never had before!

Get crackin’: Let’s face it; we’re all strapped for time these days, which is why it’s important to keep your kitchen stocked with food items that are versatile and quick cooking. Look no further than eggs! Whether they’re the center of your meal, or used in a recipe to thicken, glaze or garnish, this modest kitchen staple is a high-quality protein source that will brighten up any dish. But, not all eggs are created equal. For delicious dishes packed with extra nutrients, I always recommend Eggland’s Best eggs since they are the only eggs with 25 percent less saturated fat, more than double the omega-3s, 10 times more vitamin E, and more than double the amount of vitamin B12 of ordinary eggs. Eggland’s Best even has hard-cooked peeled eggs with all the same nutrition plus the convenience of not having to hard boil the eggs yourself if you’re really in a hurry!

Meal mix-ups: Chicken and waffles might be the classic example of blending two meal-specific foods into one super delightful dish, but meal mix-ups don’t stop there. Have fun experimenting to find combos that tantalize the taste buds. Steak and Egg Hash for dinner? Yum. Whole wheat pancakes instead of tortillas when making wraps? Sure! The sky is the limit.

Grill or steam: When the weather warms up, you probably want to turn the oven off and skip the stovetop frying. To lighten food and maintain freshness, try grilling or steaming. For example, when you grill meat, it allows the fat to drip off while touches of char bring out earthy notes. Steaming is a simple approach that is ideal for produce because it cooks while allowing your foods to maintain their distinct flavor profiles.

Local inspiration: Iconic local ingredients can be the perfect way to add pizzazz to your meals. From Swedish meatballs in Minnesota and Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia, to Jersey tomatoes and Michigan blueberries, there’s endless inspiration for redefining dishes. While experimenting, consider submitting your recipe for Eggland’s Best 2018 ‘America’s Best Recipe’ Contest. You could win $10,000!

From now until April 30, Eggland’s Best is searching for the most passionate egg fan with the best and most creative original egg recipe. Think your hometown recipe has what it takes to be America’s Best Recipe? Submit a recipe inspired by your favorite local/state ingredient or dish for the chance to win great prizes, including the grand prize of $10,000! Enter now at www.americasbestrecipe.com.

For inspiration, check out a 2016 America’s Best Recipe Contest winning recipe for Watercress Confetti Quinoa at www.egglandsbest.com.

2018-03-27T10:11:00

(BPT) – Farm-fresh eggs. Locally grown tomatoes. Herbs sourced onsite.

If you’ve eaten out recently, you’ve probably noticed the menus feature locally sourced ingredients. The farm-to-table movement continues to flourish at restaurants throughout the country.

In fact, rather than the exception, it’s become the expectation. According to the National Restaurant Association, farm-to-table is quickly becoming the new norm. Diners are so attracted to the freshest fare possible, it’s inspiring some restaurants to start their own gardens, on a rooftop, terrace or simple outdoor plot. Hyper-local culinary concepts like these represent the top trend on the annual “2018 Culinary Forecast” report.

You can take a cue from this hot trend by starting your own farm-to-table concept garden at home. Just imagine plucking ruby red tomatoes and rich green basil straight from your garden to make a farm-fresh, scrumptious caprese salad without ever leaving home. An at-home take on the farm-to-table trend can easily be translated to a convenient “garden-to-table” concept in your own backyard. Growing your own at home will elevate your cooking and you’ll feel good about being able to produce your own food while lowering your grocery bill (and certainly save by not dining out as much).

No matter the size of your garden space, you can grow fresh foods that are readily available right at your fingertips, even if you just have a small patio or balcony. What’s more, some of the most popular produce to eat is also easy to grow.

The experts at Bonnie Plants offer some easy-to-grow, space-saving suggestions to encourage a garden-to-table trend at home.

Caged tomatoes

Whether you choose big, juicy slicers or sweet cherry-sized snackers, caged tomatoes are easy to grow and offer endless cooking opportunities. Determinate varieties of tomatoes are container favorites because the vines are relatively compact yet bear a productive harvest. Or create your own container garden using tomato varieties especially bred for small spaces.

Caged peppers

Try popular and versatile Green Bell, a heavy yielder of large fruits and a good all-round pepper for slicing and stuffing. Or, spice up your recipes with jalapeño chile peppers, which yield a bountiful harvest.

Strawberries in hanging baskets

Sweet, juicy strawberries add loads of flavor to salads, dressings, drinks and desserts. Think you need a plot to grow a productive strawberry patch? Think again. Maximize space with Bonnie Plants’ strawberries in hanging baskets, which are everbearing and produce cascades of berries throughout the growing season.

Herbs in combo pots

Want to raise the flavor profile of any culinary dish? Fresh herbs are your best bet. Herb gardens can be grown in compact spaces, which means you can fit your favorites in no matter how much space you have.

For example, a kitchen herb combo container featuring sweet basil, cilantro and curled parsley is a powerhouse pot that’s both practical and pretty. You can set it right outside your door for convenient access and continuous harvest. Herbs are ready for harvest upon purchase and will keep growing and giving all season long.

Bonnie Plants offers more than 250 varieties of vegetables and herbs, from tried and true classics to some unusual varieties you may not have tried, such as Holy Basil, Tepin Chili Pepper, Barbeque Rosemary, Little Napoli Patio Roma and many more.

Once it’s time to harvest, have fun exploring new recipes and experimenting with home-grown, fresh-picked produce that will shake up your supper and then some. For more inspiration for easy at-home gardening, visit bonnieplants.com.

This recipe for a classic caprese salad is sure to hit the spot as a light lunch or satisfying start to dinner.

Caprese salad

Ingredients:

1 fresh tomato
1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese
Basil leaves
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Slice tomato in 1/4-inch thick slices. Do the same for the mozzarella. Alternate layers between the tomato, mozzarella and basil. First, a tomato slice, then a mozzarella slice, then a few leaves of basil; begin and end with tomato. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, or your favorite Italian dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste.

2018-03-27T09:07:00

(BPT) – It’s amazing what parents do in a day. You help your kids with homework, drive them to and from practice, whip up a meal everyone will like, make sure they brush their teeth … the list goes on. Not to mention you have a job to go to. It’s a wonder parents can ever find a few minutes to relax.

While hectic can be an understatement when it comes to describing a day in the life of a parent, there are some simple and savvy ways you can save time and energy when preparing meals. Here are five tips for providing delicious weekday meals for the entire family.

1. Get in the habit of meal planning. Most people don’t realize how much time they spend stressing out about what to make for dinner each night. Something as simple as planning a weekly menu in advance can make things infinitely easier. Try sitting down on Sunday, writing down what you want to eat on each day that week and shopping accordingly. This is a simple and effective way to streamline the whole process.

2. Embrace convenience. There are far more convenient ways of getting a delicious weekday meal than chopping and sweating your way through a home-cooked recipe. You can order take out from most any restaurant these days, but Applebee’s adds an extra layer of convenience for time-crunched parents — Carside To Go(R) pickup. You simply place an order online, through the Applebee’s app, or by phone and schedule a pickup time that works for you. Then, on your way home from work, the gym or soccer practice, just pull into a designated Carside To Go parking spot outside your neighborhood Applebee’s and a team member will bring your food out to you. Deliciously simple.

3. Make food prep a family activity. Parents are always looking for a fun activity everyone will enjoy or a way to constructively engage their kids. You can knock out a few birds with one stone by encouraging your kids to become more involved with preparing family meals. For instance, you can assign them a simple side dish (it can be as easy as defrosting peas or peeling carrots) or have each kid pick a meal they want to help make each week. Whatever your approach, this is an educational and enjoyable way to spend time with your kids.

4. Don’t try to imitate the chefs on TV. We would all love to cook like those celebrity chefs on TV who don’t miss a beat and saute, grill, bake and broil any and all ingredients into a perfect dish. Don’t hold yourself to such impossible standards. Instead, focus on making delicious and nutritious meals that match your skill set and tastes. If you want to wow your family with culinary masterpieces, consider some quick and easy take out options.

5. Embrace leftovers. If you’re already in the kitchen cooking, why not add more ingredients to the pot so you can have extra meals to eat through the week? Or, instead of ordering just enough food for one night, order a couple of extra sides or entrees that you can heat up for lunch or dinner the next day.

No one said life as a parent would be a breeze, but with a few easy tweaks to how you plan, order and cook, you can make mealtime into a fun and easy part of your day.

2018-03-27T13:01:00

(BPT) – When someone says blood cancer, the average person may typically think of lymphoma or leukemia. However, for an estimated 229,468 worldwide, blood cancer means multiple myeloma.[I]

In fact, multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer.[ii] An estimated 30,280 new cases of multiple myeloma were diagnosed in 2017 in the United States alone.[iii] March 1 marked the beginning of Multiple Myeloma Action Month, an annual observance helping to shed light on this disease. While supporting patients with multiple myeloma is a 365-day-a-year effort, March offers an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and what’s next in improving patient care.

What is multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a cancer formed by malignant plasma cells.[iv],[v] Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system.[iv],[v] Genetic changes in plasma cells cause them to transform into cancer cells, replicate uncontrollably and accumulate in the bone marrow.[v] The exact cause is unknown, and most people with multiple myeloma have no known risk factors other than age and race.[iii],[vi] African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with multiple myeloma compared to white Americans.[iii] The average age at diagnosis is 69 years.[iii]

Patient outcomes are improving

In the 1990s, only one-third of patients survived five years following diagnosis.[vii] Now, nearly half of all multiple myeloma patients are expected to survive five years or more.[iii],[vii] This is largely due to ongoing research efforts that have led to the approval of new and novel treatments.

The multiple myeloma advocacy community is powerful

The International Myeloma Foundation declared March 2009 the first ever Myeloma Awareness Month and has since elevated the program to Myeloma Action Month, inspiring people to take action to drive awareness and progress. The International Myeloma Foundation and other patient organizations like the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Myeloma Crowd have become driving forces in the multiple myeloma community, helping to advance patient care through research and fundraising efforts while furthering public awareness. Patient demographics gathered through the MMRF CoMMpass Study^SM are helping patients to better assess their treatment options, while programs like LLS’ Light The Night^® and the MMRF’s The Journey Towards a Cure have infused the patient community with immense strength. Those involved often create long-lasting relationships and expand their support networks.

The search for a cure is an ongoing priority

While significant improvements in patient care have been made, there is still no cure for multiple myeloma. Patient advocates and researchers alike are dedicated to improving understanding of the disease and driving medical innovation. Projects, like the Myeloma Genome Project, are assessing genetic data associated with patient outcomes in an effort to improve diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Additionally, research initiatives continue to investigate new uses for current therapies, while also exploring promising new approaches like utilizing patients’ own immune systems to fight the disease.

Nadim Ahmed, President, Hematology and Oncology, Celgene, notes that, “It is not just during the month of March, but every day throughout the year that we must continue to discover new ways to provide a brighter future for people with multiple myeloma. Through dedicated research and continued partnership with an amazing group of patients, caregivers, advocacy organizations and researchers, it is our hope that one day we can find a cure for this devastating disease.”

2018-03-26T08:01:00

(BPT) – Vacation may be a time to relax, but things can take a serious downturn if you lose your passport or if there is disastrous weather at your destination — or worse, you need an emergency medical evacuation. Though travel insurance can seem like just one more expense, without it, an emergency evacuation can cost over $100,000!

Travel insurance is a simple way to protect your belongings and minimize losses. Angela Wong of USAA Travel Services says, “Travel protection, offered through companies like Travel Insured International, provides travelers with that extra peace of mind so that they’re covered should the unexpected happen while away from home.”

To get a quote, you will need the following information:

* Number of travelers

* Age of travelers

* Trip dates

* Overall trip cost (which includes pre-paid, non-refundable expenses such as accommodations, airfare, cruises, tours and excursions)

Tip: To compare quotes and make more sense of them, divide the quote by the number of days you’ll be traveling to get the cost of coverage per day.

In most cases, the chances are that your travels will go without a hitch. However, if they don’t, you could be in real financial trouble. Wong adds, “Benefits often provide coverage for emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption protection, medical insurance and baggage insurance.”

* Trip cancellation or interruption: With trip interruption coverage, you’ll have the money to refund the expenses of a new return ticket or to stay in a comfortable hotel.

* Emergency illness or injury: With travel medical coverage, you won’t be paying a huge medical bill. You’ll also have assistance services — in your own language — to locate a suitable medical facility and arrange transportation.

* Baggage delay, loss or theft: With coverage for delayed bags, you can relax. You’ll also be reimbursed for the essential items you need to start enjoying your trip.

* Bankruptcy of travel supplier: You’ll be able to recoup your expenses and reschedule your vacation.

* Weather-related delay: With protection against weather damage, you’ll be able to recover your pre-paid costs while travel assistance services will help you arrange a vacation to a new location.

With these coverage options, it is important to be upfront about pre-existing conditions and read the fine print to understand what you’re paying for. Remember: Don’t pick one just because it’s cheap; make sure you understand your needs and purchase one that makes sense.

While people understand the importance of travel insurance, they don’t often understand how it works. It’s really quite easy and no different than auto or home insurance. If an incident occurs, just contact your travel protection provider and start a claim to receive reimbursement and assistance.

At the end of the day, a vacation is about spending time with loved ones, unwinding from the daily routine and making happy memories. It’s not about worrying endlessly about all the things that could go wrong. Therefore, when it comes to protecting ourselves and our precious belongings, we shouldn’t think twice about travel insurance — it’s a must.

For more information on travel insurance coverage and to request a quote, visit USAA Travel or Travel Insured International.

2018-03-26T14:49:00

(BPT) – This article is sponsored advertising content from Amgen, Inc.

Those who have faced a cancer diagnosis know the experience can be overwhelming. It can present several challenges and prompt countless questions from both patients and their loved ones. But for many patients diagnosed with one incurable form of blood cancer, their first question is, “What is multiple myeloma?”

Multiple myeloma is a life-threatening blood cancer of the plasma cells, a type of white blood cell originating in the bone marrow that helps fight infection. Myeloma cells are cancerous plasma cells that multiply too quickly.

March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month, a time to take charge in the fight against multiple myeloma and bring attention to this rare blood disease that accounts for approximately one percent of all cancers globally. Although rare, multiple myeloma is increasingly becoming more prevalent in the U.S. due to a growing number of diagnoses.

Robert Lasco is one of those patients. “In my mind everything was racing,” Lasco recalled, when he learned of his multiple myeloma diagnosis, “I know several friends and family members who have dealt with different types of cancer, but I had never heard of multiple myeloma.”

While most patients respond to initial therapy, nearly all patients eventually relapse or become refractory (non-responsive) to treatment. For this reason, patients with multiple myeloma often need multiple therapies during their journey with the disease, and Lasco was no exception.

After receiving a stem cell transplant Lasco experienced a relapse. “At that point, I decided I needed to take charge of my disease and began reading everything I could about multiple myeloma and my treatment options,” Lasco explained. “After discussing with my doctor, we decided KYPROLIS^® (carfilzomib) would be the best option for me.”

KYPROLIS is a prescription medication used to treat patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received one to three previous treatments. KYPROLIS is approved for use in combination with dexamethasone or with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, which are other medicines used to treat multiple myeloma. According to results from two large Phase 3 clinical trials, KYPROLIS plus dexamethasone (Kd) and KYPROLIS, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) each reduced the risk of death by 21 percent in relapsed multiple myeloma patients versus two different widely used treatment combinations (bortezomib plus dexamethasone and lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, respectively), resulting in patients living around 7.6 and 7.9 months longer, respectively.

Lasco was prescribed KRd by his doctor. Once back in remission, he was able to continue his advocacy work. He and his wife formed the Multiple Myeloma Education Fund, a nonprofit organization, aimed at building awareness of multiple myeloma.

“My experience with multiple myeloma has caused me to become very passionate about awareness and educating other people about this disease,” Lasco remarked. “You don’t have to walk with multiple myeloma by yourself. Take charge of your disease and ask for help when you need it.”

To take action and learn more about multiple myeloma during the month of March visit mam.myeloma.org.

If you would like to learn more about KYPROLIS, visit www.KYPROLIS.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

KYPROLIS^® (carfilzomib) can cause serious side effects:

• Heart problems: KYPROLIS can cause heart problems or worsen pre-existing heart conditions. Death due to cardiac arrest has occurred within one day of KYPROLIS administration. Before starting KYPROLIS, you should have a full medical work-up (including blood pressure and fluid management). You should be closely monitored during treatment.
• Kidney problems: There have been reports of sudden kidney failure in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your kidney function should be closely monitored during treatment.
• Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS): Cases of TLS have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS, including fatalities. You should be closely monitored during treatment for any signs of TLS.
• Lung damage: Cases of lung damage have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS, including fatal cases.
• Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs): There have been reports of pulmonary hypertension in patients receiving KYPROLIS.
• Lung complications: Shortness of breath was reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your lung function should be closely monitored during treatment.
• High blood pressure: Cases of high blood pressure, including fatal cases, have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your blood pressure should be closely monitored during treatment.
• Blood clots: There have been reports of blood clots in patients receiving KYPROLIS. If you are at high risk for blood clots, your doctor can recommend ways to lower the risk.
• If you are using KYPROLIS in combination with dexamethasone or with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, your doctor should assess and may prescribe another medicine to help lower your risk for blood clots.
• If you are using birth control pills or other medical forms of birth control associated with a risk of blood clots, talk to your doctor and consider a different method of birth control during treatment with KYPROLIS in combination with dexamethasone or with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone.
• Infusion reactions: Symptoms of infusion reactions included fever, chills, joint pain, muscle pain, facial flushing and/or swelling, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, fainting, chest tightness, and chest pain. These symptoms can occur immediately following infusion or up to 24 hours after administration of KYPROLIS. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
• Severe bleeding problems: Fatal or serious cases of bleeding problems have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your doctor should monitor your signs and symptoms of blood loss.
• Very low platelet count: Low platelet levels can cause unusual bruising and bleeding. You should have regular blood tests to check your platelet count during treatment.
• Liver problems: Cases of liver failure, including fatal cases, have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your liver function should be closely monitored during treatment.
• Blood problems: Cases of a blood disease called thrombotic microangiopathy, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS), including fatal cases, have been reported in patients who received KYPROLIS. Your doctor should monitor your signs and symptoms.
• Brain problems: A nerve disease called Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES), formerly called Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS), has been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. It can cause seizure, headache, lack of energy, confusion, blindness, altered consciousness, and other visual and nerve disturbances, along with high blood pressure. Your doctor should monitor your signs and symptoms.
• KYPROLIS should not be combined with melphalan and prednisone: Newly diagnosed transplant ineligible multiple myeloma patients have shown an increased risk of serious and fatal side effects when using KYPROLIS in combination with melphalan and prednisone.
• Possible fetal harm: KYPROLIS can cause harm to a fetus (unborn baby) when given to a pregnant woman. Women should avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with KYPROLIS. Men should avoid fathering a child during treatment with KYPROLIS. KYPROLIS can cause harm to a fetus if used during pregnancy or if you or your partner become pregnant during treatment with KYPROLIS.

You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Shortness of breath
• Prolonged, unusual or excessive bleeding
• Yellowing of the skin and/or eyes (jaundice)
• Headaches, confusion, seizures, or loss of sight
• Pregnancy (women should not receive KYPROLIS if they are pregnant or breastfeeding)
• Any other side effect that bothers you or does not go away

What are the possible side effects of KYPROLIS?

• The most common side effects occurring in at least 20% of patients receiving KYPROLIS in the combination therapy trials are: low red blood cell count, low white blood cell count, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, tiredness (fatigue), low platelets, fever, sleeplessness (insomnia), muscle spasm, cough, upper airway (respiratory tract) infection, and decreased potassium levels.

These are not all the possible side effects of KYPROLIS. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Full Product Information.