BMS Launches Major Myeloma Survey As Part Of Standing In The Gaap Program Expansion

Bristol Myers Squibb has announced the evolution of its long-running “Standing in the Gaap” initiative, aimed at addressing disparities in care for people living with multiple myeloma (MM). The expanded program will focus on improving equitable access to education, resources, and community-driven solutions, particularly for medically underserved populations.

As part of this initiative, the company is launching one of the largest multiple myeloma surveys conducted in the United States. The survey will engage over 1,000 patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to better understand gaps in care across the treatment journey. Developed in collaboration with organizations such as the International Myeloma Foundation, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, and HealthTree Foundation, the effort aims to capture real-world experiences and identify unmet needs within diverse communities.

“Even the most advanced treatments can fall short if patients aren’t represented in research, can’t access care or struggle to navigate the healthcare system,” said Andrew Whitehead, Vice President and Head of Population Health at Bristol Myers Squibb. “For people living with multiple myeloma, where you live, your access to information and who you trust can shape your experience as much as treatment itself. Standing in the Gaap was created to confront those realities and has helped drive meaningful progress over the past decade. The evolution of this program reflects our commitment to listen more closely and to include more voices, translating insight into strategic activations and community engagement that help strengthen how we support people experiencing gaps in multiple myeloma care and improve how we show up not only for patients, but for their care partners and the clinicians who serve them.”

Originally launched in 2016, Standing in the Gaap was designed to address disparities affecting African American patients with multiple myeloma. Over the years, the program has conducted more than 50 educational events, reaching over 5,000 participants, and has built a digital community of nearly 60,000 individuals.

“Too often, we talk about multiple myeloma without fully hearing from patients and care partners themselves,” said Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO, Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation. “Efforts like this, developed alongside advocacy organizations and informed directly by people impacted, create an opportunity to translate lived experience into meaningful action. By listening at scale, we can better identify where support is falling short and where focused engagement can make a real difference for communities affected by multiple myeloma.”

With this evolution, Bristol Myers Squibb is broadening the program’s scope to include a wider range of underserved populations. The initiative emphasizes culturally responsive and community-informed approaches, aiming to drive more inclusive and equitable care across the multiple myeloma landscape.