Published: March 1, 2023 · Last Updated: October 2025
The month of March is recognized as Myeloma Awareness Month. Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that begins in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that is important for a healthy immune system. Over time, myeloma cells will collect in the body’s bone marrow, forming tumors in the body’s bones. These tumors may prevent the bone marrow from making enough healthy blood cells and weaken bones throughout the body.
Myeloma is more common in older people, especially men, and African American individuals. In the United States, there were about 35,000 people diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2022. Common symptoms of multiple myeloma include:
Bone pain
Weakness or fatigue
Weight Loss
Frequent Infections
Frequent Urination
Multiple myeloma, along with a list of other cancers and illnesses, occurred in many people who lived and/or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987. Evidence supports the idea that toxic water and the chemicals therein may have led to the development of many of these illnesses. Other illnesses those exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune have been diagnosed with include:
Adult leukemia
Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
Bladder cancer
Kidney cancer
Liver cancer
Multiple myeloma
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Parkinson’s disease
Cardiac Defects
Breast Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
Lung Cancer
Infertility
Miscarriage
Kidney Failure
Scleroderma
Hepatic Steatosis
If you or a loved one are a veteran, reservist, guardsman, or family member who meets the following requirements, you may be eligible for compensation benefits.
Requirements include:
Serving at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1953-December 1987, AND
You did not receive a dishonorable discharge when you separated from the military, AND
You have been diagnosed with one of the above conditions.
Call our office today or fill out a free case evaluation if you believe that you meet all of the above criteria for possible compensation.
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