Over 52 Million Myeloma Warriors Reached, Creating Ripples Across the Globe for #MyelomaACTIONMonth!

At the conclusion of this year’s Myeloma Action Month, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) was truly grateful and overwhelmed by everyone’s support in making the annual campaign a global success —with over 52 million reached in 36 countries!

Myeloma Action Month is held every year for the entire month of March to encourage individuals and groups to take actions that positively impact the myeloma community. Read the full press release to learn about its impact!

Register Now for the April 2024 IMF Patient & Family Seminar in San Francisco

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is excited to announce that the 2024 San Francisco Patient and Family Seminar will take place on April 12-13, 2024, in Foster City, CA. The seminar is FREE, but in-person seating is LIMITED.

Keynote speaker for this seminar is Thomas G. Martin, MD (UCSF, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer—San Francisco, CA). He will present on the topic of “What is the Future of Myeloma?”

Other seminar presenters include IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD (TGen, City of Hope — Scottsdale, AZ); Ajai Chari, MD (Mount Sinai — New York); Amrita Krishnan, MD, FACP (City of Hope — Orange County, CA); Caitlin Costello, MD (University of California — San Diego); IMF InfoLine Advisor Teresa Miceli, RN, BSN, OCN; Deborah Doss, RN, OCN (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — Boston); Wendy Thomas RN, MSN, CHPN; and Erin Bair, Esq., Staff Attorney, Triage Cancer. Topics will include a resource review of myeloma.org, Myeloma 101, understanding your labs, shared decision making, financial considerations in myeloma, clinical trials, symptom management, and advanced care planning. 

Register Now for the April 13th Regional Community Workshop in Atlanta

An in-person, IMF Regional Community Workshop will take place on April 13, 2024, at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center (2450 Galleria Parkway) in Atlanta. Dr. Jonathan Kaufman (Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University—Atlanta) will cover Myeloma 101, relapse therapies, and clinical trials. Dr. Nisha Joseph (Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University—Atlanta) will discuss frontline and maintenance therapies. IMF Nurse Leadership Board member Charise Gleason, MSN, NP-BC, AOCNP® will outline the most common side effects for each myeloma drug category, how to prevent infection, and more. Finally, there will be a special local patient and care partner panel who will share their patient-care partner experiences through their myeloma journey.

Join Us for the 15th Annual IMF Gala

On Thursday, April 18, 2024, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will hold its 15th Annual Gala for the first time in New York City! Join us at the Edison Ballroom (240 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036) at 6:00 p.m. EST for this star-studded event. Hosted by Ray Romano, the Gala benefits the Peter Boyle Research Fund and celebrates groundbreaking myeloma research, education, support, and advocacy. These initiatives support research toward prevention and a cure for myeloma, as well as promote greater health equity and access to care for all.

Launched in 2007, shortly after beloved actor Peter Boyle lost his battle with myeloma, the IMF Annual Gala continues to raise funds and awareness for groundbreaking myeloma research projects.

Announcing the Inaugural Iceland Cycling Expedition! 

The Iceland Cycling Expedition (ICE) is a fundraising bike tour taking place in beautiful Iceland with a team of twelve cyclists. From August 29, 2024, to September 3, 2024, 12 intrepid individuals will embark on an adventure across Iceland to support the Black Swan Research Initiative, including the iStopMM Research Project in Iceland. While spots for participating in this year’s expedition are full, you can still seize this opportunity to be a part of something greater. Support the thrill of adventure while being a change agent. Donate to this initiative today! 

Around the Web: Myeloma News

To keep you abreast of the most recent myeloma research findings, “The Myeloma Minute” features links to top myeloma content around the web. From Nature Communications, read the following article:  “The bone ecosystem facilitates multiple myeloma relapse and the evolution of heterogeneous drug resistant disease.”  This study in Blood Cancer Journal looks at once-weekly versus twice-weekly Velcade (bortezomib) in newly diagnosed myeloma patients. As always, we invite you to visit the IMF Newsroom for the most recent myeloma news, including this monthly wrap up: March 2023 – Myeloma News in the Journals.

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