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Janssen Launches Health Equity Campaign in Partnership with Award-Winning Radio Host D.L. Hughley to Raise Awareness About Multiple Myeloma Among Black Communities
That’s My Word™ campaign issues national call to action for earlier diagnosis and treatment to address the disproportionate impact of multiple myeloma among at-risk communities
HORSHAM, Pa. /PRNewswire/ — The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today the launch of That’s My Word™ to raise awareness of and help to drive better health outcomes for multiple myeloma among at-risk populations. A national campaign bringing together trusted voices among Black communities, including those at risk of multiple myeloma, care partners, healthcare professionals, advocacy groups and award-winning radio host and comedian D.L. Hughley, That’s My Word™ aims to be a source of both information and hope by sharing resources specifically for Black patients and their care partners about this rare blood cancer.
Delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation, as well as unequal access to newer and more advanced medicines, are part of the challenging reality that creates significant health disparities in multiple myeloma.1
- Each year, approximately 35,000 people are diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the United States, and more than 20 percent of all cases occur in Black people, with cases on the rise.2,3
- Multiple myeloma is often diagnosed in people over the age of 60 years, but Black people are typically diagnosed 5-10 years earlier.2,4
- While Black patients are less likely to have more aggressive disease, they are twice as likely to die from multiple myeloma because it is often undetected until it has progressed to more advanced stages.1,3
- Yet, studies show that with early diagnosis, early treatment initiation, and equal access to care, Black patients can achieve better outcomes.5
Comedian and award-winning radio host D.L. Hughley is partnering with Janssen to empower Black communities with information and encourage better self-advocacy for their health. Hughley’s personal experience with cancer, including his father and sister, motivated him to take his own health seriously many years ago.
“Cancer has touched so many of us, but we need greater awareness of diseases that are disproportionately affecting and killing Black people, like multiple myeloma,” said D.L. Hughley. “I am so inspired by people who are living with this disease and who have become actively involved in their health decisions, caregivers who have experienced incredible loss yet push on, and healthcare professionals who are helping to address the complex relationship that our community has with the healthcare system. I am honored to work in partnership with the Black community through That’s My Word™ to raise awareness of critical information and encourage action in a way that can potentially save lives.”
Janssen continues to partner with the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), which is equally passionate in combating healthcare disparities in multiple myeloma. Together, Janssen and the IMF are encouraging people to make Multiple Myeloma Promises, or pledges, to commit to learning more about multiple myeloma and be proactive with their health to help catch it early and treat it, which hopefully will lead to better health outcomes. Janssen will donate one dollar to the IMF, up to $50,000, for each promise made through the campaign at @thatsmywordMM on Facebook and Instagram.
“Multiple myeloma is too often still diagnosed late or remains undiagnosed altogether in Black communities. While it’s important for patients to be vocal about what they are experiencing, it is equally important that healthcare providers listen to their patients to recognize the signs and symptoms that support prompt and accurate diagnosis,” said Joseph Mikhael, MD, Chief Medical Officer, International Myeloma Foundation and Professor, Translational Genomics Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center.3,4 “Through initiatives such as That’s My Word™, we share a commitment to reaching underserved patient communities that can help result in better education and better outcomes.”
As a leader in the treatment of multiple myeloma, Janssen believes all patients should be treated equally with comprehensive cancer care as part of its commitment to eradicate racial and social injustice as a public health threat, and Our Race to Health Equity.
“We launched That’s My Word™ to change the trajectory of multiple myeloma in Black communities, because we know the impact of health disparities is exacerbated for people who are living with this incurable blood cancer,” said Tyrone Brewer, President, Oncology, Janssen Biotech, Inc. “We are grateful for the partnerships we’ve built within the community because no entity can do this alone. We will continue to work toward a future in which improved outcomes are the reality for all patients, as part of our mission to reimagine care so that patients can redefine living.”
To get involved, follow the conversation on social media using the hashtags #ThatsMyWordMM and #MMPromise.
About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
At Janssen, we’re creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We’re the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular, Metabolism, & Retina; Immunology; Infectious Diseases & Vaccines; Neuroscience; Oncology; and Pulmonary Hypertension.
Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us at @JanssenUS. Janssen Biotech, Inc. is part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.
- American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures for African American/Black People. American Cancer Society 2022-2024. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/cancer-facts-and-figures-for-african-americans/2022-2024-cff-aa.pdf. Accessed January 2023.
- What is Multiple Myeloma. International Myeloma Foundation 2022. https://www.myeloma.org/what-is-multiple-myeloma. Accessed January 2023.
- Disparities in African Americans. International Myeloma Foundation 2022. https://www.myeloma.org/IMF-Diversity-Equity-Inclusion-Policy/disparities-african-americans. Accessed January 2023.
- Multiple Myeloma in African Americans. The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. https://themmrf.org/2019/08/multiple-myeloma-in-african-americans/. Published January 2020. Accessed January 2023.
- Dong J, Hari P. Black patients with multiple myeloma have better survival than white patients when treated equally: a matched cohort study. Blood Cancer Journal. 2022.
SOURCE The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
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Viewpoint Hosted by Dennis Quaid Brings Attention to a Little-Understood Condition Affecting Families Nationwide
A new Viewpoint hosted by Dennis Quaid segment with APFED raises awareness of eosinophilic esophagitis, its subtle symptoms, and its impact on families.
For more information, readers can visit viewpointproject.com and apfed.org.
For many families, health conditions do not always begin with a dramatic diagnosis. Sometimes they show up in small, everyday habits that seem easy to explain away. Cutting food into tiny bites. Drinking extra water with every meal. Quietly avoiding certain foods altogether. A new educational segment from Viewpoint hosted by Dennis Quaid is shining a light on those subtle warning signs through a collaboration with the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders, helping more people recognize the realities of living with eosinophilic esophagitis, or EoE.
Viewpoint hosted by Dennis Quaid
The segment, distributed to Public Television stations across the country, focuses on making this chronic inflammatory condition easier for the public to understand. For viewers, that matters because EoE is often misunderstood or overlooked, even as it affects daily routines, family meals, and quality of life. By connecting medical information to real-life experiences, the program gives audiences a more human picture of what people with the condition may be facing.
When everyday habits tell a bigger story
Eosinophilic esophagitis occurs when eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, build up in the esophagus, causing inflammation that can lead to tissue damage and narrowing. But what stands out most in this story is not just the science. It is the way people often adapt without realizing it. Behaviors like chewing excessively, avoiding certain textures, or relying on liquids to help swallow can become so routine that they no longer feel unusual.
That is one reason the segment carries real community value. It encourages people to look more closely at symptoms that may have been normalized for years and to seek evaluation from specialists such as gastroenterologists or allergists. It also raises awareness among parents, caregivers, and primary care providers who may be the first to notice that something is not quite right.
More than awareness
The program also explores the emotional and social side of the condition, especially for people navigating dietary restrictions and the uncertainty of delayed diagnosis. In that sense, this is not only a story about medicine. It is also a story about advocacy, support, and the importance of helping people feel seen.
APFED Executive Director Mary Jo Strobel noted that many people with EoE do not realize they have adapted their lives around a medical condition. That message gives the segment its strongest human element: awareness can change lives, not only by leading to diagnosis, but by helping families better understand experiences that may have felt isolating or confusing.
Originally distributed in January 2025, the documentary will continue to be made available to stations through March 2027, extending its reach to more households nationwide.
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Read more from STM Daily News on community issues, public television, health awareness, and stories that connect national topics to everyday life.
For More Information
- Visit the official Viewpoint hosted by Dennis Quaid website
- Learn more about the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders
STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world.
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Feeding America is marking National Agriculture Day by recognizing farmers, ranchers, and producers as key partners in the fight against hunger.
In a March 24 press release, the organization said the agricultural community plays a vital role in helping food banks and pantries deliver fresh, nutritious food to families across the country. Feeding America noted that produce, dairy, and protein are among the most requested foods by neighbors facing hunger and make up half of all food distributed through its network.
The organization said that in 2025, its network worked with growers to rescue 971 million pounds of fresh produce, helping redirect surplus food to communities in need. Feeding America also pointed to federal nutrition and farm support programs, saying government purchases from U.S. growers provide more than 20% of the food distributed through its network.
Ami McReynolds, Feeding America’s chief advocacy and community partnerships officer, said supporting farmers is directly connected to helping families access healthy meals. The organization is also urging Congress to support additional farm aid and a Farm Bill that strengthens nutrition programs.
Feeding America said a recent poll found that 95% of voters view hunger as a nonpartisan issue, reinforcing support for collaborative solutions between agriculture, food banks, and policymakers.
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The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.
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McDonald’s First Job Confessional Turns Career Stories Into Free Meal Opportunity
McDonald’s is launching First Job Confessional, a campaign inviting fans to share first job stories for a chance to receive a $15 gift card in select cities.
First Job Confessional
McDonald’s is putting first jobs in the spotlight with a new campaign that asks fans to share the real-world skills they gained early in their working lives. Launched on National Employee Appreciation Day, the brand’s First Job Confessional invites people to reflect on how those first roles helped shape their careers — and, in some cases, earn a free meal in the process.
The campaign is built around a simple idea: first jobs often teach lasting skills that deserve more recognition. Whether someone learned problem-solving while babysitting, communication during a lunch rush, or teamwork behind a counter, McDonald’s is framing those experiences as valuable career foundations. The company says those are the same kinds of skills employers continue to prioritize as workplace demands evolve.
How the First Job Confessional Works
In select cities, McDonald’s is setting up confessional booths designed to look like ordering kiosks. But instead of placing a meal order, participants can record a story about their first job and the skills they picked up along the way. Those who take part in person will have the opportunity to receive a $15 McDonald’s gift card, while supplies last.
Fans who cannot attend in person can still join online by posting their stories using #FirstJobConfessional. McDonald’s says selected videos may also be featured on its YouTube channel, extending the campaign beyond the live events.
External Related Links
- McDonald’s corporate article: McDonald’s is Asking Fans to Get Real About Their First Job Skills in Exchange for Free Meals
- McDonald’s 1 in 8: First Job Confessional
- McDonald’s 1 in 8 home page
- Marketing Dive coverage of the campaign
- Parade coverage of the First Job Confessional tour
Source Links
- Original PRNewswire press release from McDonald’s USA, LLC
- McDonald’s official corporate story
- McDonald’s 1 in 8 First Job Confessional page
- McDonald’s 1 in 8 official website
The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.
https://stmdailynews.com/the-bridge
