The Patient Advisory Council's (PAC) goal is to ensure that a focus on myeloma patients is embedded in everything that Myeloma Canada does.

Over the summer, the Patient Advisory Council has focused on continuing to connect and build relationships with the myeloma community. We have initiated a process to add a second PAC representative for Quebec and continued to reach out to patients and Support Group Leaders across the country. In addition, we have continued to provide input to Myeloma Canada activities as and when requested. 

On August 30th, 2024 David McMullen, the original Chair of the Patient Advisory Council, sadly passed away.

David left an amazing legacy of patient advocacy where he stressed the importance of the patient focus in all Myeloma Canada activities. It is a legacy that PAC members will strive to live up to going forward. David will be missed!

Glenn

helene-glenn@rogers.com

...from the West

It is with great pleasure that I write this article from the PAC representatives in Western Canada for the monthly Myeloma Matters e-newsletter.

Western Canada has two representatives

on the Patient Advisory Council (PAC): Phil Harbridge and me, Susan McLean. Phil lives in White Rock, BC and I live in Nanaimo, BC, however, we represent all of the support groups and their leaders in Western Canada.

It is our job, as volunteers, to bring any concerns of theirs to the Board of Directors and to Myeloma Canada, with whom we work closely.

Fortunately, we now have eighteen support groups in our region, with amazing leaders in all of the groups. This year we were pleased to welcome two new groups: Lillooet, BC, and Yellowknife, NWT – our first support group in the Territories!

Phil and I meet with the Support Group Leaders quarterly on Zoom, to provide updates, offer support, and to hear any concerns. Currently we are thrilled to be hosting 11 Multiple Myeloma Marches in the west this fall!

We are extremely happy to have Chantel Wicks from Myeloma Canada as our new leader in the West. She will be assisting all of the groups in their endeavors and is planning on meeting personally with all of the leaders; we look forward to collaborating with her and hearing her advice.

There are several upcoming events that we are participating in and looking forward to this fall:

• Myeloma Canada patient and caregiver conference, Edmonton (The conference took place Sept 7-8, 2024.)
• October 17-19: Health eMatters conference, Toronto
• October 25-26: Myeloma Canada Scientific Roundtable, Montreal
• November 8-10: Myeloma Canada Support Group Leaders’ Summit, Calgary

As the summer starts to wind down, I hope that you are all doing well and looking forward to getting back into a routine.

Susan

mclean@shaw.ca