A Summer of Celebrations and Challenges

In this week’s blog, IMF Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Brian G.M. Durie talks about the importance of utilizing innovative resources and tools, de-stressing, taking vacations, and maintaining a healthy diet whilst being confronted with many challenges. He notes challenges brought about by climate change and other factors and how myeloma patients can hurdle obstacles that they are faced with. Dr. Durie emphasizes that resilience is key and that only by staying calm and focused can this resilience be rejuvenated and recharged. He also underscores the importance of getting help and support from family members and friends, especially during stressful and challenging times.

IMF NLB Launches Myeloma University—An Online Educational Program for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals

Created by the International Myeloma Foundation’s Nurse Leadership Board (NLB), Myeloma University is an online educational program specially designed for nurses and other healthcare professionals to gain knowledge about multiple myeloma. The Myeloma University series was created and is being presented by the NLB nurse faculty to help improve nursing care in multiple myeloma by sharing the NLB’s depth of knowledge in an easily accessible format: 5-8-minute videos on key myeloma topics, accompanied by downloadable slides and educational resources for nurses, as well as tools for patients and care partners. To know more about this new educational program, visit the IMF Myeloma University website.

Las Voces de Mieloma Support Group (Spanish-Virtual) 

Join the Las Voces de Mieloma Support Group (Spanish/Virtual), on Tuesday, July 18th, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (Pacific).

Guest speaker: Dr. Pooja Phull

Dr. Phull is a board-certified hematologist/oncologist who specializes in caring for patients with multiple myeloma and related cancers. She is committed to providing high quality, personalized care to each individual patient and their family. She graduated from Tufts University with a dual major in Spanish and Community Health prior to earning her degree in medicine from Tufts University School of Medicine. She subsequently completed her residency in internal medicine at Boston Medical Center prior to serving as an Instructor in Medicine at the Amyloidosis Center at Boston University School of Medicine. She completed her fellowship in hematology/medical oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center/Temple University Hospital. Throughout her training and practice, she has integrated her dedication to serving underserved populations with her passion for the science of medicine.

For any questions, please email [email protected].

Las Voces de Mieloma Grupo de Apoyo (Virtual/Español)

Las Voces de Mieloma Grupo de Apoyo (en Español/Virtual), Martes, 18 de Julio, 10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. (Tiempo Pacífico).

Invitada Especial: Dra. Pooja Phull

Dra. Phull es una hematologia/oncologa certificada por la junta medica que especializa en cuidar por pacientes con mieloma y otros canceres relacionados. Ella es cometida a proporcionando cuidado de alta calidad que es adaptada a cada paciente individual. Ella concentro en Espanol y Salud Publica en Tufts University antes de ganar su licenciatura de medicina de La Escuela de Medicina de Tufts University. Despues de eso, ella completo su residencia de medicina en Boston Medical Center y sirvio como Instructora de Medicina en el Centro de Amyloidosis de la Escuela de Medicina de Boston University. Ella completo su especializacion en hematologia/oncologia en Fox Chase Cancer Center/Temple University Hospital. Durante su capacitacion y practica de la medicina, ella ha integrado su dedicacion a server a pacientes desatendidas con su pasion por la sciencia de medicina.

Para Pregents, envíe un correo electrónoco a: [email protected].

Join the In-Person IMF Regional Community Workshop in Denver

The in-person IMF Regional Community Workshop will take place on Saturday, August 12 at the Clements Community Center—Lakewood Room (1580 Yarrow Street) in Lakewood, CO. IMF Senior Director of Regional Community Workshops Kelly Cox will welcome attendees along with speakers, Jeff Matous, MD (Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center—Denver, CO); Craig Cole, MD (Karmanos Cancer Institute, Michigan State University—Lansing, MI); IMF Nurse Leadership Board Member Tiffany Richards, MS, ANP, AOCNP (MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma—Houston, Texas); and Denver-based myeloma patient Carol Smith and her care partner Stan Smith. The workshop will include an introduction to myeloma, upfront treatments at diagnosis, maintenance therapy, relapse information, an update on clinical trials, and more. Register today before slots get filled up.

Register for the In-Person Patient and Family Seminar in Los Angeles

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is excited to announce that an in-person Patient and Family Seminar will take place from August 18-19 at Sofitel Los Angeles (8555 Beverly Blvd.) in Los Angeles, CA. IMF Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Brian G.M. Durie, along with IMF Patient, President & CEO Yelak Biru and IMF Vice President of Support Groups Robin Tuohy will join the following expert myeloma speakers: Rafat Abonour, MD (University of Indiana—Indianapolis, IN); IMF NLB Board Member Donna D. Catamero, ANP-BC, OCN, CCRC (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai —New York, NY); Ajai Chari, MD (The Mount Sinai Hospital—New York, NY); Noopur S. Raje, MD (Massachusetts General Hospital—Boston, MA); Daryl Tan, MBBS, M Med, MRCP, FAMS (Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital—Singapore); and Robert A. Vescio, MD (Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute—Los Angeles, CA). The seminar is FREE, but in-person seating is limited. REGISTER TODAY before slots get filled up!

Now Accepting Applications: The 2024 Brian D. Novis Research Grants

The Brian D. Novis Research Grant was established in 1995 to honor IMF co-founder Brian D. Novis, who succumbed to multiple myeloma in July 1992. The grants are awarded to researchers working in the field of multiple myeloma and related disorders, including smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis. The grants will support senior research projects with $80,000 each and junior research projects with $50,000 each. Deadline for submission of applications is August 28, 2023.

‘That’s My Word’ Initiative Addresses the Impact of Myeloma on the Black Community

“That’s My Word” is an initiative from Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a Johnson & Johnson Company) that addresses how multiple myeloma disproportionately impacts Black people. Explore the site and learn how you can make a promise to get the facts about the disease.