It means fighting for equity access to drugs and treatments regardless of where you live. It means developing innovative programs and materials, and hosting events that help educate, empower and support anyone affected by myeloma, whether you yourself are living with the disease or supporting someone who is. It means doing all we can to ensure that you, our community, have the tools you need to better understand and manage your lives with myeloma regardless of where you may be in your journey.

It is very important to note that this decision does not affect in-person Multiple Myeloma Marches or any other activity that is local or community-based. We leave the choice of holding

in-person gatherings within your area entirely up to you since each province and each region has their own unique reality. Having said that, we are here to support you, as we always have been, in your events regardless of the form they take. Last year’s experience with our Marches showed us how incredibly creative you are.

It really makes no difference if we walk together, in-person, individually, in small groups, or even virtually. What is important is that we walk - or run, cycle, swim, or whatever motivates you to stay active and engaged – and that we don’t give up. Together, we have to continue to work toward raising funds to help forward important life-saving research!

I’d like to take another minute to assure you that, as an organization, we are doing all that we can to continue advocating for the third ‘booster’ vaccine to be approved in Canada for immuno- suppressed and compromised individuals. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been steadfast in working with all necessary agencies to do what’s necessary to safeguard your health, including expediting vaccine approvals and dosing intervals across all provinces and territories.

We have come so far so quickly and we remain firm in our resolve to get boosters into your arms as quickly as possible. We’re following the work of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) very closely. On August 12^th, Theresa Tam announced that they are looking at the data now regarding a third booster dose. Should the government(s) not move faster, we will intervene. The data is there, we just need to be patient, as difficult or frustrating as that may be.

In the meantime, continue to take care of yourselves, to stay energized, focused and positive. We’ve come this far together, we can’t let the cloud of COVID-19 get the better of us now! Enjoy the rest of the summer. Get out doors. Walk, hike, enjoy a coffee with a friend on a terrasse or in a park. Reach out to your own personal community for support and encouragement. Join or form a March of your own. Rekindle your mojo. You have the power!