Taking a Positive Approach to Relapse 

In this week’s blog, IMF Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Brian G.M. Durie talks about taking a positive approach when myeloma patients are faced with a relapse. He discusses challenges in figuring out if a relapse is occurring or not and advises a recheck for a biochemical relapse. Dr. Durie also presents opportunities in terms of when to start treatment: Would it be more prudent to begin treatment right away or would waiting while closely monitoring if the myeloma is or active or not be a better option? He also brings up several FDA-approved treatment options in 2023 and discusses the impact of new immune therapies and drugs in development. In conclusion, Dr. Durie emphasizes the power of accessing positive information and why planning ahead is highly recommended.  

Why Does Your #MYelomaSTORY Matter? 

Many in the myeloma community struggle to find relatable stories. By sharing your #MYelomaSTORY, you can provide valuable insights when it comes to myeloma signs and symptoms, treatment reactions, and coping with the disease, while inspiring hope. Your story helps raise myeloma awareness, which is crucial for doctors, researchers, and healthcare professionals. You can easily share these graphics from the International Myeloma Foundation's Myeloma ACTION Month website on your social media channels or use the MAM photo uploader by clicking the button below. Take action and tell your story now!   

Attend In-Person at No Cost: The IMF Boca Raton Patient and Family Seminar  

Back in person for the first time since 2019, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is excited to announce that the 2023 Boca Raton Patient and Family Seminar is taking place on March 17-18, 2023, in Boca Raton, Florida. Attendees will hear from the following experts: IMF President and CEO and 27-Year Myeloma Survivor Yelak Biru; IMF Chief Scientific Officer and Chairman of the Board Brian G.M. Durie, MD; IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael MD (TGen, City of Hope — Phoenix); IMF Nurse Leadership Board Member Beth Faiman, PhD, MSN, APN-BC, AOCN®, BMTCN®, FAAN, FAPO (Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute — Cleveland); James Hoffman, MD (University of Miami Health System — Miami, FL); Principal Investigator of the IMF iStopMM Trial Sigurður Kristinsson, MD, PhD (University of Iceland — Reykjavik, Iceland); Professor of Medicine and Chief of Plasma Cell Disorders Division Peter Voorhees, MD (Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute — Charlotte, NC); and Professor Nikhil Munshi, MD (Harvard Medical School and Associate Professor at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — Boston). You do not want to miss this unique opportunity to hear from some of the world’s top myeloma experts. In-person seating is FREE but limited; REGISTER TODAY before slots fill up!

Las Voces de Mieloma Support Group (Spanish-Virtual), March 21 

Join Las Voces de Mieloma Support Group (Spanish/Virtual), on Tuesday, March 21, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. PST with guest speaker and myeloma patient Teresa Regueiro. Diagnosed in 2009 with high-risk multiple myeloma, Teresa started a multiple myeloma Facebook page in 2014, with articles translated from English to Spanish. After the growth of this page, she founded the Spanish Community of Patients with Multiple Myeloma at the national level (in Spain), and continues to lead the association bringing myeloma information to patients. Join us by registering at http://lasvoces.support.myeloma.org.  For any questions, please email [email protected].

Las Voces de Mieloma Grupo de Apoyo (En Español/Virtual/), Martes, 21 de Marzo, 10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. (Tiempo Pacífico).
Expositor invitado: Teresa Regueiro, Paciente
Diagnosticado en 2009 de mieloma múltiple de alto riesgo. Comenzó una página de Facebook sobre mieloma múltiple en 2014 con artículos traducidos del inglés al español. Tras el crecimiento de esta página, fundó la Comunidad Española de Pacientes con Mieloma Múltiple a nivel nacional, en España y sigue al frente de la asociación llevando información sobre el mieloma a los pacientes. Únase a nosotros registrándose en: http://lasvoces.support.myeloma.org. Para preguntas, envíe un correo electrónoco a: [email protected]. 

IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael Goes Live on Facebook 

Join us live on Facebook on March 22 at 4 p.m. PST / 7 p.m. EST as IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael discusses how patients can live well with myeloma. Find out what inspires Dr. Mikhael to be a myeloma practitioner and hear his #MYelomaSTORY this Myeloma ACTION Month!   

Living Well with Myeloma: New Drugs in Myeloma – What, How and When? 

The Living Well with Myeloma Webinar on Thursday, March 30, at 4 p.m. PST / 7 p.m. EST will focus on “New Drugs in Myeloma – What, How, and When? What Patients and Care Partners Need to Know.” IMF Vice President of Support Groups Robin Tuohy will moderate presentations by IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd (Translational Genomics Research Institute—Arizona). In recent years, many new myeloma drugs have been developed and have greatly improved patients' lives. Patients need to know how each drug works so they can make informed decisions with their healthcare providers. During the webinar, Dr. Mikhael will discuss the different types of myeloma drugs, how they work, the drug development process, as well as new drugs and immunotherapy for myeloma treatment. There will be a summary and time for questions at the end of the webinar.

Join the M-Power Charlotte Community Workshop and Discuss Health Empowerment    

The 3rd M-Power Charlotte Community Workshop will take place on Saturday, April 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Project 658 (3646 Central Ave in Charlotte, NC). Its focus is on awareness of multiple myeloma in the African American community and living a healthier life. Panelists include the following healthcare professionals from Charlotte’s Atrium Health Levine Cancer: Peter Voorhees, MD; Manisha Bhutani, MD; as well as Community Health Partners Tiffany W. Crank, MPH, and Mellisa Wheeler, BSA, WHA, who both work to help people in Charlotte lead healthier lives. The panel will share patient stories and suggest ways to 'M-Power' yourself if you or your loved one are faced with a complicated diagnosis. Refreshments will be provided beginning at 9 a.m. Attendees are welcome to connect and chat until 1:30 p.m. Register now for FREE.