COVID-19 & Myeloma InfoBulletin

Important information & links for our myeloma community
May 28, 2020 - Edition #9
Martine Elias - Executive Director
Hi everyone,

As you know, many provinces are now starting to open up for business. It’s so important to remember that the social conventions that have become our new norm, keeping us safe and healthy (physical distancing, self-isolation and adhering to preventative safety measures to mitigate our risk of contracting the virus) have not changed.
If anything, our governments are recognizing the increase in potential risk which is why they are being cautious and recommending that we wear non-medical grade masks when we go out. Please wear them…the pros outweigh the cons.

Although I discussed it a few weeks ago, I do want to take another minute to reiterate how important it is to be aware of the effects this pandemic is having on our mental health. As we go through all the various stages and phases of COVID-19, it’s normal to feel – or have felt – anxious, stressed or even fearful at some point (and it’s perfectly okay if you haven’t!). Everyone deals with stress and anxiety in different ways. The main point is that if you are feeling out of sorts, or at worse, experiencing a mental health crisis, acknowledge and talk about how you feel, and please, whatever you do, don’t be embarrassed to reach out for help. You are not alone. (If you haven’t already, check out the Mindfulness@Home Cancer series, every Friday from 11:00 – 12:00 on ways to lessen your anxiety.)

Now that the COVID-19 curve seems to have flattened, we’ve decided to scale back slightly and produce our COVID-19 InfoBulletin every second week instead of weekly. Rest assured that should there be any major breaking news or changes, we will let you know. We will also continue to include our “COVID-19 Update” section in our Myeloma Matters monthly e-newsletter as we do now, and update our COVID-19 web section weekly. Be sure to visit it often!

We are always here for you if you have questions, concerns or comments.

Take care, stay safe and stay well,
Martine

If you have any questions, please send them to Gabriele Colasurdo, Myeloma Canada’s Manager of Education & Patient Services: gcolasurdo@myeloma.ca.

Related resources:
COVID-19 & Myeloma Webinars
The webinars below are offered to you by Myeloma Canada, at no cost, and deal specifically with COVID-19 and myeloma, as well as other myeloma-related topics. Be sure to check out our website as well as our monthly Myeloma Matters e-newsletter for more information and to stay up-to-date on other webinar announcements.  
Upcoming webinars: May 28 - June 26, 2020
  • For more information, click on the links below.
  • To register, click on the "Register here" buttons.
Myeloma Canada InfoWebinar – May 28, 2020 (1:00 – 2:00 pm EST)
  • Yelak Biru, Patient Advocate, Board Member, International Myeloma Foundation, Bentonville, Arkansas
Mindfulness@Home Cancer Series - Every Friday until July 3, 2020
(11:00 am - 12:30 pm EST)
Free weekly video conference - every Friday
  • Dr Rob Rutledge, CEO and Chair, Healing and Cancer Foundation, Radiation Oncologist, Nova Scotia Cancer Centre, Associate Professor, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
  • Dr Timothy Walker, Ph.D, Psychotherapist , Mindfulness teacher 
CADTH Webinar - May 29, 202 (12:00 - 1:00 pm EST)
  • Dr Gordon Guyatt, Professor at McMaster University
Myeloma Canada InfoWebinar - June 23, 2020 (1:00 - 2:00 pm EST)
  • Beth Faiman, PhD, MSN, APRN-BC, AOCN, FAAN, Nurse Practitioner, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Nurse Leadership Board Member, International Myeloma Foundation, Cleveland, OH
Myeloma Canada InfoWebinar - June 26, 2020 (1:00 - 2:00 pm EST)
  • Al-harith Mohammed, BScPhm PharmD RPh, Clinical Pharmacist, Malignant Hematology, Juravinski Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON
Past webinars
  • Click on the links below to access the videos.
  • All Myeloma Canada InfoWebinars are available for free viewing on our YouTube channel
Mindfulness@Home Cancer Series - held every Friday
Free weekly video conference - every Friday
  • Dr Rob Rutledge, CEO and Chair, Healing and Cancer Foundation, Radiation Oncologist, Nova Scotia Cancer Centre, Associate Professor, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
  • Dr Timothy Walker, Ph.D, Psychotherapist , Mindfulness teacher 
Myeloma Canada InfoWebinar held May 27, 2020
  • Frank Courjal - Director, Scientific Affairs, The Binding Site, Quebec City, QC

Myeloma Canada InfoWebinar held May 25, 2020
  • Dr Arleigh McCurdy - Hematologist, The Ottawa Hospital, Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
Myeloma Canada InfoWebinar held May 20, 2020
  • Amy Pilon, Executive Director, Oncology Drug Access Navigators of Ontario (ODANO) Drug Access Navigator – Pharmacy Oncology, Grey Bruce Health Services, Owen Sound, ON
For more information, resources and updates on the COVID-19 virus, we recommend the agencies below:
Of course, always remember to call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your health.
In these difficult times, you, our community, remain our number one priority.
Now more than ever, we appreciate your support. Your donation enables us to continue providing you with the best information, resources, programs and services - across as many technology platforms as possible - to stay empowered, informed and connecte

Thank you for your generosity.
We're always here to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
You can reach us at contact@myeloma.ca or toll-free at 1-888-798-5771.

Follow us on social media for the most up-to-date information and resources: