MMRF Accelerator Magazine Winter 2017 Edition | Page 16

MMRF LEADERSHIP NEWS IN MEMORIAM: DON BAYLOR The MMRF mourns the loss of baseball legend, pioneer and friend Don Baylor. At a very moving and emotional memorial service, Paul Giusti spoke about Don’s commitment to the patient community, and how he used his story to raise awareness about the disease and the MMRF. Fearless from the start, Don was famous for his willingness to crowd the plate at bat. Over the course of his career, he would be hit by pitches a record 267 times. Like any fighter, Don always shook it off and was ever ready to step up and take another swing. It is this fighting spirit and perseverance that helped him earn a position in three World Series for three different teams. As a young man, Don was actually offered a scholarship to play football for the University of Texas. Had he accepted, he’d have been the first African American to play football there. Instead, Don chose to pursue a career in baseball, enrolling at Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas. From left: Don Baylor, Kathy Giusti He was later recruited by the Baltimore Orioles in the second round of the 1967 draft. In the early ‘70s Don made his major league debut. Consistent on-the-field performance and a string of post-season RBIs eventually earned him the nickname “Groove”. 2017 LEADERSHIP CIRCLE SUMMIT The MMRF Leadership Circle Summit was held in Greenwich, CT on September 7 and included some of the foremost experts in myeloma research today. It was truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity to hear from thought leaders from the pharmaceutical industry, academia and the most brilliant minds in myeloma research. This event is a way to provide those who have supported the MMRF at the highest level the opportunity to hear from thought leaders in myeloma and cancer research. Tom Brokaw, NBC News and multiple myeloma patient 16 From left: Sagar Lonial, MD, Colin Hill, MS, Robert Loberg, PhD T H E M M R F.ORG