"Welcome to 2025 everyone, 

I hope this finds you well and rested and having enjoyed the holiday season. Welcoming you to 2025, a very special year Myeloma Canada, is actually quite special for me and the team. This past Saturday, January 18th, marked our 20th anniversary...20 years of making myeloma matter. We couldn’t be any more proud or thankful for your support, loyalty and commitment to our small but mighty organization. We’ve said it time and time again, but it bears repeating: we would never have come this far without you."  

I - ASH 2024 myeloma research update 

Myeloma Canada, along with thousands from the global hematology community, had the privilege of attending the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition (December 7-10, 2024) to hear from leading myeloma experts about the latest progress in myeloma research. 

The focus of the myeloma research presented was on novel immunotherapies, such as CAR T-cell therapies and bispecific antibodies, which continue to show promising efficacy in pretreated myeloma. High-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) also received particular attention, with a phase 3 study demonstrating that earlier intervention with the anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody daratumumab (Darzalex) can significantly improve both progression-free survival and overall survival. Furthermore, the antibody-drug conjugate belantamab mafodotin (Blenrep) continued to show encouraging response rates when combined with RVd (lenalidomide + bortezomib + dexamethasone) in newly diagnosed, transplant-ineligible myeloma, as well as when combined with Vd (bortezomib+ dexamethasone) at or after first relapse. Additional data with the anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody isatuximab (Sarclisa) in combination with RVd—across both transplant-eligible and transplant-ineligible populations—reaffirmed quadruplet therapies as a standard of care for newly diagnosed patients that can tolerate them. Real-world studies also highlighted the positive impact of proactive side-effect management on quality of life. Meanwhile, a deeper understanding of minimal residual disease (MRD) testing continues to drive improvements in patient outcomes. 

For a non-exhaustive global overview of the myeloma research presented at the conference, please consult the following resources from our partner myeloma organizations. 

II - Have your voice heard!

An invitation from the PROxy Network

and Myeloma Canada

Myeloma Canada, alongside one of our valued partners, the PROxy Network, is conducting an important study, "The burden of multiple myeloma on patients and caregivers’ quality of life: A Canadian real-world study.” 

An additional 100 patient voices and 50 caregiver voices are needed to reach our study participation goal. 

We thank you in advance for considering our invitation to participate in this important study and hope you will share your voice for the benefit of all Canadians impacted by myeloma. 

New advocacy work to kick off the new year! 

2025 is off to a running start, with two important policy consultations already ongoing! 

Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) is seeking public feedback on two key initiatives to enhance their Drug Reimbursement Review processes. In collaboration with members of our National Advocacy Committee, Myeloma Canada will submit feedback for both consultations to ensure the myeloma community’s perspectives are represented.  

1. The first is a draft Methods Guide detailing the procedures CDA will use to assess clinical evidence submitted to them by drug manufacturers.  
2. The second involves several Proposed Improvements to the Drug Reimbursement Review Process, which include the chance for patients, under certain circumstances, to share their experiences living with myeloma directly with the committee of experts reviewing a new treatment.  



To learn more about the Drug Reimbursement Review Process, click here. 

Become a Myeloma Canada volunteer! 

There’s no better way to stay connected than through volunteering. 

We are beyond grateful for any time you can devote to our cause. Whether you’ve got a few hours to spare a day, a week, a month, or even a year, there’s always something you can do to make myeloma matter! There are countless ways to get involved, just ask us! 

Here are just a few ideas: 



• Volunteer at a Myeloma Canada event like the MC Ride: Bike to Beat Myeloma or the Multiple Myeloma March near you.
• Volunteer to start or run a support group in your area if there isn’t one already.
• Offer to start or join a committee within your support group. 
• And so much more! 

No matter what you do or how you volunteer your time, you know you’re helping to improve the lives of other Canadians impacted by myeloma.

Questions? Contact Michelle Oana, Chief Mission Officer at moana@myeloma.ca. 

I - Just launched: MC Assistance!

Myeloma Canada’s new personal

information service - access the

new InfoLine today!

It’s official! With MC Assistance, you can now communicate with one of our information specialists by phone or email and get personalized information to help you navigate life with myeloma.  



Our information specialists use artificial intelligence to optimize their research and better respond to your needs. They can provide information about myeloma, its treatment and side effects, as well as community services available in your region.  

We hope this new service helps you better understand the disease, ask your healthcare team clear questions, and make choices about how to manage your day-to-day life. 

Click here to make an information request.

Or, visit our website, myeloma.ca, click on the

MC Assistance icon and fill out the form. One of Myeloma Canada’s MC Assistance information specialists will get back to you by phone or email depending on your preference, within 1 to 2 business days.

You can also call 1-888-798-5771 and leave a message with your contact information.  

II - Join us in welcoming Guy Gaudet to Myeloma Canada! 

In December we introduced you to Myeloma Information Specialist, Stephanie Valkenier. Today, it is our pleasure to introduce Guy Gaudet who will fill a similar role, providing you with information on myeloma through our newly launched MC Assistance service.  



With over 29 years of experience as a registered nurse, Guy is excited to bring his knowledge and experience to our Canadian myeloma community.   

Guy obtained his bachelor’s degree in nursing from l’Université de Moncton in 1995 and began his career as an oncology nurse. In 1996, he obtained his oncology nursing certification from the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO). For the next 18 years, Guy worked at Dr Georges‑L.‑Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton where he specialized in critical care and emergency nursing.  

In 2017, Guy and his partner moved to Toronto. There he began a new career path helping patients navigate access to medications via a patient support program.

In 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Guy joined a new contact center. There, he led the training program for a team of medical professionals who were responsible for information requests from across the country. Guy has since worked as a clinical advisor for patients in Ontario, providing tele-health triage and care advice to those in need.

Guy was born and raised in the small French community of Chéticamp on the northern tip of Nova Scotia. He is bilingual and has worked in both official languages throughout his career. He joins the MC Assistance team to serve the French-speaking community in collaboration with the Quebec Cancer Foundation (QCF). Guy will ensure that francophones have access to the information on myeloma they need, while directing general cancer questions to the QCF. Guy is looking forward to bringing his passion for patient care and broad skill set to Myeloma Canada. 



Please join us in welcoming Guy to the team! 

III - Congratulations to Patricia Celestin on her promotion!

It is with great pleasure that we announce Patricia Celestin’s promotion to National Community Fundraising Manager as of January 1, 2025. After 5 years of working with Myeloma Canada (as Development and Operations Support Coordinator, followed by Development and Digital Support Coordinator, Digital Support Fundraising Lead, and most recently National Community Fundraising Lead), Patricia has grown into her new role of leading the community fundraising department. She is responsable for national campaigns such as the Multiple Myeloma March, Myeloma Canada Ride, as well as third-party community fundraisers and other event-based initiatives.  

Within Patricia’s responsibilities over the last five years, she has demonstrated her ability to think outside the box, listen to and implement feedback from the community, manage large-scale campaigns and find creative solutions to complex challenges. Her leadership in supporting the work of hundreds of dedicated volunteers across the country is unwavering, always going the extra distance to respond to each request or inquiry with personalized commitment and attention. Finally, her gusto to reach new heights and set ambitious goals is exemplary, keeping her, and everyone she works with, motivated and up for any challenge.   

For those of you who have had the opportunity to interact with Patricia, you will surely agree with this well-deserved recognition! Congratulations, Patricia, we know you will continue to achieve great things in your new role! 

You can reach Patricia at pcelestin@myeloma.ca. 

IV - A peek at the PAC!

Read the 6th edition of A peek at the PAC for news from your Patient Advisory Council (PAC).

This month, Chair Glenn Hussey looks back at 2024 and forward to 2025.

"My name is Guylaine Landry-Fréchette, and I was born on September 5, 1955.  

On March 3, 2024, I completed my sixth major international marathon in Tokyo. With pride, I received a medal symbolizing all the hard work that went into this accomplishment. I finished this 42 km marathon without any particular issues. [...] However, on March 6th, when I was out for a short jog, I felt pain in my left thigh."

I - Join our 2025 patient and caregiver conference in Vancouver!

Where: Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA

When: Sunday, February 9, 2025

8:30 am to 5 pm



Register before February 5, 2025 for this one day conference!

Registration fee: $35

Breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks included

To book a hotel room, please contact Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA

at (604) 697-0202 and mention that you are a part of the Myeloma Canada group.

II - InfoSessions

III - InfoWebinars

Join us online from the comfort of your own home! All you need is a computer, tablet or smart phone, and an internet connection.

The role of oncology social workers

February 10, 2025 

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (EDT)

Join us to learn more about the role of social workers in oncology and the services that are available. See how their involvement in supportive care may be useful to myeloma patients in their experience with the disease. 

Speakers: Joanne Siu, MSW, RSW, and Emily Barca, MSW, RSW  

Oncology Social Workers from the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (ON), Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Department of Supportive Care  

Multiple Myeloma and Laboratory Medicine:

A Look Inside the “Black Box”

March 5, 2025 

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (EDT)    

This webinar will take you inside the “black box” of laboratory medicine to understand how vitally important it is to patient care. We will focus specifically on multiple myeloma related testing. Greater than 70% of all medical decisions are based on laboratory medicine test results and this is no different with multiple myeloma. Without laboratory results, many conditions could not be accurately diagnosed or treated, including multiple myeloma.

We will delve into how the laboratory doctors, technologists and technicians transform blood, urine and tissues into understandable result that treating doctors and nurses use to diagnose and monitor patients. We will explore the laboratory methods used and how they are interpreted in multiple myeloma.

For more information, click here.

Speaker: Dr Ronald A. Booth, BSc, MSc, PhD, DCC, FCACB, FADLM  

Clinical Biochemist, the Ottawa Hospital, ON 

Visit our YouTube channel to view our InfoWebinars, presentations, and videos.

Among past webinars to watch: 

• Developing Less Invasive Detection Methods Using Blood-Based Cell-Free DNA Tests 
• Top myeloma research presented at ASCO & EHA 2024
• Understanding your labs 
• The role of exercise for those living with & beyond cancer 
• Living solo with myeloma  

Myeloma Canada charitable number: 862533296RR0001