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Why Belonging to a Myeloma Community is Important
In this week’s blog, IMF Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Brian G.M. Durie highlights the importance of keeping abreast with what’s happening in the news, especially significant developments in the field of myeloma—whether new legislation which may affect patients’ rights, breakthroughs in myeloma research, or the emergence of new therapies/treatments. Dr. Durie also provides helpful advice on reducing the risks of myeloma through diet improvement, stress reduction, and looking into the benefits of touch therapy. He recommends exploring the IMF’s Mind, Body, and Wellness program to find wellness education, movement, exercise, and mindfulness practices tailored for patients and caregivers. Lastly, Dr. Durie emphasizes the importance of being in a collaborative myeloma community—a mainstay of achieving the best for all patients across the U.S. on an ongoing basis.
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Laughs 4 Life: Another Successful Fundraising Event This Year!
The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is grateful to Kent Oliver, his family, and the organizers of the Laughs 4 Life Hattiesburg event for supporting organizations like the IMF. After being diagnosed with myeloma at age 34 in 2015, Kent has funded four Senior Brian D. Novis Grants totaling over $320,000. This year’s successful event featured comedian Leanne Morgan and was held on Friday, July 29 at the Hattiesburg Saenger Theater, MS—with over 1,000 attendees! The Brian D. Novis (BDN) Grant was established in 1995 to honor one of the IMF’s co-founders. The grants are awarded annually to senior and junior researchers to promote research in the field of multiple myeloma and to help improve patient outcomes. To date, the IMF has raised over $3 million and has awarded over 100 BDN Grants. The IMF extends its warmest gratitude to IMF Senior Director of Member Events Suzanne Battaglia and IMF Assistant Director of Member Events Ilana Kenville for all the work they put into building relationships with the myeloma patient community. To know more about the event, read the news article.
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This Week: IMF Virtual Regional Community Workshop—East South Central
The IMF Regional Community Workshop (RCW) – East South Central will be held this Saturday, August 6 at 8 a.m. PT/9 a.m. MDT/10 a.m. CT/ 11 a.m. ET. Guest speakers include Craig Cole, MD (Michigan State University Karmanos Cancer Institute—Detroit, MI); Jesus G. Berdeja, MD (Sarah Cannon Research Institute—Nashville, TN); IMF Nurse Leadership Board (NLB) Member Patricia Mangan, RN, MSN, APRN-BC (University of Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, PA). IMF Senior Director of Regional Community Workshops Kelly Cox will kick off the workshop, which includes an introduction to myeloma, upfront treatments at diagnosis, maintenance therapy, relapse information, and an update on clinical trials. NLB Member Patricia Mangan will talk about managing side effects and symptoms of myeloma and its treatments. After each presentation with the experts, attendees will have ample time to ask questions.
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6th Nursing Symposium on August 25 at the 19th IMS Annual Meeting
The 6th Nursing Symposium will be held on Thursday, August 25 (live stream and in-person) during the 19th International Myeloma Society Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, CA. IMF Nurse Leadership Board (NLB) members will be presenting during the sessions: Tiffany Richards, PhD, ANP-BC, AOCNP® (MD Anderson Cancer Center—Houston, TX); Donna Catamero, ANP-BC, OCN, CCRC (The Mount Sinai Health System—New York, NY); Beth Faiman, PhD, RN, MSN, APRN-BC, AOCN®, FAAN (Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute—Cleveland, OH); Sandra Rome, RN, MN, AOCN, CNS (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center—Los Angeles, CA); Daniel Verina, DNP, ACNP-BC (Mount Sinai Medical Center—New York, NY); and NLB International Affiliate Tracy King, PhD, MN, RN (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital—New South Wales, Australia). Sessions include Challenges in Myeloma Patient Management, Oral Abstracts 1 & 2, and Myeloma Clinical Challenges. To know more, visit the 19th IMS Annual Meeting website.
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Download Understanding REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) capsules—2022 Edition
Revlimid® (lenalidomide) is an oral medication in a class of drugs called immunomodulatory agents. It was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients with myeloma in 2006. Since then, the FDA has approved numerous combination therapies with Revlimid for treatment strategies throughout the myeloma disease course, including as maintenance therapy after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Revlimid is one of the most frequently used medications in myeloma. Get your FREE copy of the IMF’s Understanding REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) capsules in printed form or as a downloadable PDF with hyperlinks to informative resources.
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‘A Day in the Life’ Podcast with Nick Lenoir
Nick Lenoir was diagnosed with myeloma in 2016, at the young age of 31. In this episode of the IMF's "A Day in the Life" podcast, Nick shares an in-depth story of his diagnosis, treatments, maintaining a work/life balance while living with the disease, and becoming a support group leader. Listen to Nick Lenoir’s inspiring story of hope and resilience.
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Join the Living Solo & Strong with Myeloma Support Group
Founded in 2022, the Living Solo & Strong with Myeloma Support Group was formed for those living with myeloma who do not have caregivers. The group meets virtually every 4th Monday of the month from 5:15 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. ET. For additional information, please visit https://solo-and-strong.support.myeloma.org/ or contact Claire Greenlea at [email protected].
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