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2024 IMF Inaugural Iceland Cycling Expedition: A Rigorous and Challenging Journey to End Myeloma
In this week's blog, IMF Vice President of Development Sylvia Dsouza talks about the highlights of the 2024 IMF Iceland Cycling Expedition. In August 2024, a team of 15 individuals (including myeloma patients, care partners, and doctors) were on a quest to finish a 100-mile expedition across Iceland to raise both awareness for the disease and funding for research aimed at finding a cure. Sylvia relays some inspiring moments during the course of the six-day, five-night cycling expedition: the rough terrain and harsh weather conditions of Iceland vs the tenacity and resilience of the cyclists, especially participants who are living with myeloma. The 2024 IMF Iceland Cycling Expedition is as unique and as noteworthy as the project it supports—the iStopMM (Iceland, Screens, Treats, Or Prevents Multiple Myeloma) initiative whose main goal is to evaluate the impact of screening for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermine significance (MGUS), the precursor to multiple myeloma. Because of its inaugural success, the 2025 Iceland Cycling Expedition is now in the works, and will take place from August 27-September 2, 2025. Sylvia invites participants to apply for the 2025 Iceland Cycling Expedition. Deadline for submission of applications is on Thursday, November 14, 2024. To find out more, read the full blog.
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Pedaling Through Iceland for a Cause: The IMF's Fight Against Multiple Myeloma
Watch this uplifting video coverage of the August 2024 Iceland Cycling Expedition (ICE) and experience moments along the rough terrain as well as emotional highlights of resilience from those facing multiple myeloma. By uniting myeloma patients, care partners, and healthcare professionals, ICE "symbolizes the relationship we have with each other and why we are doing this," said myeloma specialist Dr. Saad Usmani, who was one of the cyclists. ICE raised funding for crucial myeloma research, including the IMF's iStopMM initiative in Iceland, which aims to detect and prevent multiple myeloma at an early stage. "In simple terms, iStopMM would not have ever happened without help from the IMF," said iStopMM Principal Investigator Dr. Sigurdur Kristinsson. Watch the full video by clicking the button below.
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Hot Off the Press: The Fall 2024 Edition of Myeloma Today
The Fall 2024 edition Myeloma Today is now available to download for free. In this edition, IMF President & CEO and 28-year myeloma patient Yelak Biru writes, “The IMF’s superpower is the collaborative, creative, and comprehensive approach to accomplishing our mission and vision.” Yelak then introduces readers to the IMF’s new collaborative body of myeloma experts—the Scientific Advisory Board. IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD, discusses progress in the field of myeloma, including recent FDA approvals, takeaways from the 2024 International Myeloma Society annual meeting, and other news on the IMF’s activities in the U.S. and abroad. Also in this edition, learn about the projects being funded by the 2024 IMF Brian D. Novis Research Grants program, changes to Medicare Part D for 2025, the 25th Support Group Leaders Summit, 2024 Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and more.
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Join the IMF Online Regional Community Workshop (RCW) with Experts from the Cleveland Area
The next IMF Online Regional Myeloma Community Workshop will take place on Tuesday, November 12, at 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. ET (2:30 – 5:00 p.m. PT | 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. MT | 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. CT). Speakers include IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP (TGen at the City of Hope — Phoenix); Louis Williams, MD, MBA (Taussig Cancer Institute at the Cleveland Clinic — Cleveland); and IMF Nurse Leadership Board Member Beth Faiman, PhD, RN, MSN, APRN-BC, AOCN®, FAAN, FAPO (Taussig Cancer Institute at the Cleveland Clinic — Cleveland). Topics will include an introduction to myeloma, upfront treatments at diagnosis, maintenance therapy, relapse information, and an update on clinical trials. Beth Faiman 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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Save Your Seat for the IMF In-Person Regional Community Workshop in Phoenix
An in-person IMF Regional Community Workshop will take place on November 16, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Paradise Valley (5401 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85250) from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. MT. Speakers include IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP (TGen at the City of Hope — Phoenix); Saurabh Chhabra, MD, MS (Mayo Clinic — Phoenix); IMF Nurse Leadership Board Member Beth Finley-Oliver, MSN, ARNP, AGNP-BC (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute — Tampa, FL); and Peter Mathern, MD (Cancer & Blood Specialists of Arizona — Casa Grande, AZ). There will also be patient and care partner panel with Gary and Judy Elliott. Topics will include Myeloma 101, frontline therapy, maintenance therapy, and the management of symptoms and side effects of myeloma and its treatments.
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The Role of Care Partners in Helping Their Loved Ones Adhere to Their Treatment Plan
In this video, IMF Nurse Leadership Board member Rebecca Lu, MSN, FNP-C, explains how care partners can support their loved ones by helping them adhere to their treatment plan.
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