"Hi everyone, 

The month of March not only kicks-off an extra hour of daylight, but exciting and jam-packed myeloma awareness, community and fundraising events that carry us all the way through spring, summer and into fall. [...]

I’d like to share with you a high-level report on some of the major grants we’ve either funded or co-funded in 2024."

Latest myeloma research:

I - Cumulative Excess Body Mass Index and MGUS Progression to Myeloma

II - ASH 2024 recaps by the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF)

I - Clinicians, share your thoughts!

If you are a Canadian medical oncologist, fellow, or resident who treats patients with metastatic cancer in Canada, you are invited to complete an important and short pan-tumour clinician survey from the Colorectal Cancer Resource and Action Network (CCRAN): “Identifying Current Clinical Utilization & Utility of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) for Patients Diagnosed With Metastatic Cancer in Canada.”

Learn more here.

II - CDA and INESSS are looking for patients and caregivers to join advisory committees and projects

We’re excited to share the following opportunities to get involved with Canada’s health technology assessment agencies and the reimbursement review process. Your voice as a person affected by myeloma is an invaluable contribution to decisions that impact our community. 

I - Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA) is currently seeking individuals to join its expert and advisory committees. 

Their annual call for nominations is now open for the following positions: 

• 1 patient member on the Canadian Drug Expert Committee (CDEC) 
• 2 members on the Patient and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) 

How to apply: Submit your nomination via the online form by Monday, March 31, 2025.

More Information.

II - INESSS (Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux de Québec) is compiling a registry of caregivers, patients, and healthcare system users and is looking to recruit participants. Individuals selected from this registry may be invited to collaborate on various future healthcare projects, including those related to cancer, chronic pain, osteoporosis, and more. Participation may be remunerated. 

How to apply (in French): Fill out the participation questionnaire.

More information. 

III - Making myeloma matter in the 2025 Ontario election

Myeloma Canada and members of the Ontario Advocacy Committee took swift action during Ontario’s election period to ensure myeloma patients’ needs were heard. We sent letters to each major party leader, urging them, if elected, to prioritize cancer care by fully implementing the recently released Ontario Cancer Plan 6 (2024-2028). 

This advocacy effort was built on relationships established during our Legislative Action Day at Queen’s Park in October 2023 when Myeloma Canada, alongside a group of passionate patient and caregiver advocates, met with several MPPs to discuss issues facing our community.  

Learn more. 

IV - How to embed the patient experience in health technology assessment (HTA) processes

A Canadian cancer treatment ‘hackathon’

In December 2024, Myeloma Canada took part in Colorectal Cancer Canada’s hackathon, “Canadian patient group perspective: collecting patient experience data for HTA submissions”.

Jessy Ranger (Myeloma Canada’s Director of Patient Programs, Health Policy & Advocacy), Iris Karry (Patient Education & Research Manager, Colorectal Cancer Canada), and JK Harris, (Health Policy & Advocacy Lead, Canadian Breast Cancer Network) participated in a panel discussion to share experiences with collecting patient experience data (PED) for health technology assessment (HTA) submissions in Canada.  

I - The Myeloma Canada Ride is around the corner!

Only two months before the rides begin!

It’s time to find the closest Myeloma Canada Ride, tune up that bike, and get ready to raise awareness and funds for the second most common form of blood cancer. Each Ride has a long or short route to choose from so you can cycle at the pace that’s right for you!  

Myeloma Canada Rides are open to anyone over 18 with a bike, enthusiasm, and the desire to meet new people and make a difference in the lives of Canadians affected by myeloma.

This year, a total of 9 local Rides will be taking place across our beautiful country.

Simply find the Ride near you and register today!

• Calgary, AB - May 10 
• Ottawa, ON - May 10 
• Niagara, ON - May 24 
• Vancouver Island, BC - May 24 - NEW! 
• Saint-Ignace-de-Stanbridge, QC - May 24 (Défi Cyclo-myélome) - NEW! 
• Okanagan, BC - May 31 - NEW! 
• Richmond, BC - June 1 
• Sudbury, ON - June 7 
• Île Perrot, QC - June 14 - NEW! 

No Ride near you? Can’t make the date and time? No problem! You can register for the Virtual ride option. Learn more here. 

Let’s go, Canada! Together let’s bike to beat myeloma! 

It’s the Myeloma Awareness Month home stretch!  

There are less than 2 weeks to go in our 2025 Myeloma Awareness Month campaign! It’s the home stretch, so let’s get out there and continue spreading as much awareness of myeloma any way we can. 

So far, you’ve met 14 of our 20 community members and have learnt their “I found out when” moments. You’ve seen 12 of 20 “Did you know…” myeloma facts. Hopefully these have been relatable to you or someone you love, and they’re providing you with the opportunity to keep the conversation growing while learning something new.

We love hearing from you, receiving your DMs (direct messages), and comments with your experiences and thoughts, as well as all of your amazing awareness initiatives. Please keep them coming, and we’ll include them in the April issue of Myeloma Matters!

As Martine mentioned in her editorial, you’ll start to notice a call for support in our social posts. Increasing awareness and funds for myeloma, especially in these challenging times, is crucial.

Every dollar brings us closer to new and innovative therapies that provide a longer and better quality of life for our loved ones with myeloma.

Please continue to share and reach out to your networks and connections as we head into the final weeks of the month, and join us in making myeloma matter more than ever. 

For information on the campaign, please contact Marcie Baron, Myeloma Canada’s Director Corporate Communications and Marketing at mbaron@myeloma.ca. 

For information or help with social media, please contact Leigh Kinch-Pedrosa, Myeloma Canada’s Digital Engagement and Communications Specialist at lpedrosa@myeloma.ca. 

I - Introducing Myeloma Canada’s newest educational resource:  "Side Effects Management" InfoGuide 

Side effects caused either by new drug therapies to treat multiple myeloma, or those that arise from the disease itself, can make it difficult or even impossible to carry out your regular daily activities.  

Developed with leading myeloma specialists from various fields, namely physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and clinical research coordinators, this new InfoGuide is the result of a collaborative effort that addresses the many questions raised by our community over the years. 

The “Side Effects Management” InfoGuide covers a wide range of topics to will help you recognize the symptoms and causes of some of the undesirable side effects you may be experiencing so you can better manage them and improve your overall well-being. 

II - A peek at the PAC

Read the 7th edition of "A peek at the PAC" for news from your Patient Advisory Council (PAC).

This month we learn about new members and new roles.

"My name is Juliette Royer but I go by Jules.

I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at the age of 47.  

In November of 2013, I booked a holiday to Jamaica with my girlfriends for February 2014, my birthday month. My family and friends know that I celebrate the whole month so I was going out to dinners and having fun!"

I - Register now for the 2025 Nova Scotia Patient & Caregiver Conference!

Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025 

Time: 8:30 am – 4:40 pm (ADT) 

Location: Delta Hotels Dartmouth 

Featured speakers:

Dr Curtis Marcoux, MD, FRCPC, Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University 

Dr Jeanette Boudreau, PhD, Scientific Director, Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University 



Stephanie Valkenier, B.Sc. Biochem Nutrition, B.Sc. Pharm, RPh, Myeloma Information Specialist, Myeloma Canada 

II - InfoSession

III - New video on caregiving!

On February 1st the Toronto & District Multiple Myeloma Support Group meeting hosted a live presentation by Dr Rinat Nissim PhD, C. Psych. on “Caregivers and Caregiving”. 

Thank you to Rinat Avitzur and the entire Toronto group for recording and sharing this helpful presentation.  

Myeloma Canada charitable number: 862533296RR0001