For years Viola and I shared a beautiful life, enriched by our son Camillo and daughter Grace. Viola had been a teacher prior to and in the first year of our marriage. With the birth of our children she proudly assumed the responsibilities of a full-time homemaker.

Our beautiful life together changed dramatically in early 2003 when Viola began suffering severe back pain, which led to x-rays, revealing an inward growing plasmacytoma and a diagnosis of late -stage multiple myeloma. Frankly, at the time, I had never heard of multiple myeloma. Since then, I have learned more than I ever would have cared to about this vicious disease. Viola underwent surgery to remove the plasmacytoma in May 2003 followed by a regimen of thalidomide and radiation. She survived for two years. Viola succumbed to multiple myeloma on June 24, 2005.

I chose to establish a charitable annuity to memorialize Viola's life. To do so, I have set aside a sum of money, to be professionally invested, with all interest earned being donated to the MMRF. The annuity will remain in place for my lifetime, following which time the principal will be placed in my estate to benefit my heirs.

I am proud to say that my children agree that this arrangement is a wonderful way to honor their mother's memory while helping the MMRF in its search for treatments and the eventual cure for multiple myeloma.

I would strongly encourage anyone who has been touched by the ravages of multiple myeloma to consider supporting the MMRF through a planned gift, which can meet your personal estate planning objectives, honor the memory of a loved one and create a more promising future for thousands of patients worldwide.

Thank you,

Salvatore Musumeci