International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) Honors 2024 Kyle and Durie Achievement Awardees, Dr. Shaji Kumar and Dr. Francesca Gay

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) and the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) are proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Robert A. Kyle Achievement Award and Brian G.M. Durie Outstanding Achievement Award. The in-person awards ceremony was held on Tuesday, June 11, at the 15th Annual International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Summit in Madrid, Spain. This year’s Robert A. Kyle Lifetime Achievement Awardee is Shaji K. Kumar, MD, Professor of Medicine and Chair of the Myeloma, Amyloid, and Dysproteinemia Group at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. This year’s Brian G.M. Durie Outstanding Achievement Awardee is Prof. Francesca Gay, MD, PhD—an Associate Professor at the Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences in the University of Torino, and a Hematologist at the SSD Clinical trials in onco-hematology and multiple myeloma, Division of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Italy. To find out more, read the press release.

Watch Highlights from the IMF's 15th Annual Gala, an Event Where Together We Raised Over $700,000 for Myeloma Research

Together, we raised nearly $700,000 to benefit the Peter Boyle Research Fund, the IMF’s Black Swan Research Initiative®, and our educational programs. This significant contribution will accelerate groundbreaking myeloma research, education, support, and advocacy, bringing us closer to our goal: a cure for myeloma. We invite you to watch the highlights of the night.

Global Myeloma Advocates Unite at the IMF's 10th GMAN Summit, Representing Over 40 International Organizations

At its Global Myeloma Action Network (GMAN) annual summit from June 7-9, 2024, in Madrid, Spain, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) brought together 100 of the greatest minds in myeloma. The mission was clear: Put an end to myeloma. Visit the full news story to watch a highlights video and more.

Register Now for the IMWG Conference Series 2024: Making Sense of Treatment

At the upcoming IMWG Conference Series, “Making Sense of Treatment,” leading myeloma experts will discuss the latest drug therapy news from the June 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Conference, IMF IMWG Summit, and the European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Conference. 

IMF Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Brian G.M. Durie will moderate the discussion, with María-Victoria Mateos, MD, PhD (University of Salamanca—Salamanca, Spain) and Thomas Martin, MD (University of California San Francisco—San Francisco, CA) serving as panelists.

Apply for a 2025 Brian D. Novis Research Grant by August 26, 2024

The International Myeloma Foundation funds the Brian D. Novis Research Grants which are provided through private donations. The IMF awards these grants to researchers working in the field of multiple myeloma and related disorders including smoldering myeloma, MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance), and immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis. This year's awards will be $50,000 each for the junior grant and $80,000 for the senior grant. Applicants must complete and return the application package to the IMF no later than August 26, 2024.

Join the M-Power Initiative's In-Person Dinner on Thursday, June 20

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), in association with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and the Abyssinian Baptist Church (132 Odell Clark Place at W. 138th St.), is excited to host the M-Power Initiative’s reception and dinner with compelling speakers on Thursday, June 20, 2024, in New York, NY. The event’s speakers include IMF President & CEO, and 28-year myeloma patient Yelak Biru; IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD, M.Ed., FRCPC, FACP (TGen, City of Hope — Phoenix, AZ); and Urvi A. Shah, MD (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — New York, NY). These experts will share valuable insights about blood, how it impacts the health of the Black community, and how food can improve health. You will also get an introduction to myeloma, including differences in Black myeloma patients. At the end of the event, participants can take part in a Q&A with Dr. Mikhael and Dr. Shah. Seating is limited so be sure to register today!

Register Now for the Regional Community Workshop in Charlotte, NC, on June 22

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is excited to announce that an in-person Regional Community Workshop will take place on June 22, 2024, at the Hyatt Centric Charlotte Southpark (3100 Apex Dr.) in Charlotte, NC 28211. Peter Voorhees, MD, (Atrium Health, Levine Cancer Institute — Charlotte, NC) will present on Myeloma 101, therapies at relapse, and clinical trials. Cindy Varga, MD, (Atrium Health, Levine Cancer Institute — Charlotte, NC) will discuss frontline therapies and maintenance therapies. IMF Nurse Leadership Board member Amy Pierre, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, (Flatiron Heath — New York, NY) will talk about how patients can manage myeloma-related symptoms and side effects brought on by treatment. Finally, a patient and care partner panel will feature couples, Ellen and Bruce Herman, and Ivy and Ron Walker.

Sign Up for the Patient and Family Seminar in Minneapolis from July 19-July 20

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is excited to announce that the 2024 Minneapolis Patient and Family Seminar will take place at the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America (2141 Lindau Lane) in Bloomington, MN, from July 19-20, 2024. The Keynote Speaker is Morie Gertz, MD (Mayo Clinic—Rochester, MN), and he will present on “What is the Future of Myeloma?” IMF President and CEO, and 28-year myeloma patient Yelak Biru will give a special address.

The event promises a multitude of insightful presentations, including the following speakers: IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD, M.Ed., FRCPC, FACP (TGen, City of Hope — Phoenix, AZ); IMF InfoLine Advisor Teresa Miceli RN, BSN, OCN; Kansas City Area Myeloma Support Group Leader Wendy Thomas RN, MSN, CHPN (Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion — University of Kansas Health System); Doug Sborov, MD, MS (Huntsman Cancer Institute/University of Utah — Salt Lake City, UT); Jonathan Kaufman, MD (Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University — Atlanta, GA); Rahma Warsame, MD (Mayo Clinic — Rochester, MN); and IMF Support Group Leader Michael Tuohy. While the Seminar is FREE, in-person seating is LIMITED. Don’t miss your chance to take part and register 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. This article in Blood Advances looks at "CAR T-cell Toxicities: Bedside to Bench - How Novel Toxicities Inform Laboratory Investigations." At the end of every month, the IMF Newsroom has a wrap-up of some of the most fascinating studies about multiple myeloma from medical journals. Here is the May 2024 edition. As always, we invite you to visit the IMF Newsroom for the most recent myeloma news.