We received great support from the British Columbia MLA's at the Myeloma Canada Awareness Day that took place at the BC Provincial Legislature in November. Our patient representatives from across the province, as well as Myeloma Canada representatives, Martine Elias, Executive Director, and Michelle Oana, Associate Director of Development and Communications, met with 22 members of the Legislative Assembly to bring awareness to myeloma and share the urgency of listing new drugs on provincial formularies (such as daratumumab) as quickly as possible. A few MLA's also had a very personal connection to myeloma and shared our sense of urgency with the group.
In addition, the Myeloma Canada patient representatives were invited to sit in during the caucus’s question period, where Myeloma Canada was formally introduced by MLA
Norm Letnick
for Kelowna-Lake Country, Official Opposition Health Critic. We would also like to thank MLA
Sonia Furstenau
for Cowichan Valley, who spoke out to share her personal story and connection to myeloma, underlining the importance of timely drug access. The following week, on November 22, she also spoke during the caucus about her personal journey with multiple myeloma and the important work that Myeloma Canada does to raise awareness and improve access to effective treatments. Thank you, Sonia, for highlighting the importance and urgency of access to new therapies.
A highly successful event for the province in making myeloma matter.
