As we move into 2025, the Patient Advisory Council (PAC) is looking forward to maintaining its patient perspective on national and regional issues.

The PAC provides this patient perspective to Myeloma Canada’s Board of Directors, while supporting, promoting, and engaging in the events, activities, and goals of Myeloma Canada. 

The PAC was incredibly active in 2024. We continued to pay particular attention to embedding the patient voice in all Myeloma Canada activities. We supported Myeloma Canada’s operational plan, and provided insight, advice, and assistance, as needed, to the professional team.

Among other activities that received our focus were: 

• participating in the review and analysis of the results of the national Patient & Caregiver survey (find out more about the results in last month’s editorial by Martine Elias, CEO of Myeloma Canada);
• undertaking a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis which focused on the results of the Patient & Caregiver survey, to be used in updating Myeloma Canada’s strategic plan; 
• connecting and building relationships with the myeloma community, including support group leaders; 
• assisting Myeloma Canada in promoting and providing educational materials at cancer centres and clinics across the country; 
• providing support at InfoSessions, Meet and Greets, and input for InfoGuides and InfoSheets; 
• supporting Myeloma Canada advocacy days;
• assisting Myeloma Canada staff in piloting the new information platform, MC Assistance. 

In 2025, we look forward to continuing many of these activities, while working on new initiatives. We hope to hold a number of panel discussions: one to focus solely on younger myeloma patients, and another open to patients across the country. 

The PAC will continue to review and provide patient input to Myeloma Canada submissions, documents, and programs. We will continue our regular meetings with support group leaders and will seek their feedback on patient-focused initiatives and activities. 

2025 promises to be an exciting year, and we look forward to working with Myeloma Canada’s Board of Directors, professional staff, and patients and caregivers across the country. 

On a personal note, it is my wish and hope that all myeloma patients are able to live their lives to their fullest, despite having to deal with the treatments and drugs that are associated with being a myeloma patient.  

My best wishes to you all for a wonderful 2025! 

Glenn 

helene-glenn@rogers.com

Myeloma Canada charitable number: 862533296RR0001