"Hi everyone,

We’re fresh off the heels of our most exciting and most successful Multiple Myeloma March in the history of Myeloma Canada!

Hundreds, actually thousands of you have, over the past months, invested your heart and soul, time, sweat and energy into organizing, promoting and executing your marches. You all deserve not only a tremendous round of applause, but a well-deserved rest!"

International Myeloma Society’s annual meeting – some takeaways

This past September 25 – 28, the International Myeloma Society (IMS) held their 21st IMS annual meeting in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil where the latest advancements in multiple myeloma research were discussed. Below is a day-by-day summary prepared by the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation:

• Day 1 - important updates on treatment combinations for first-line and maintenance therapy for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Click here

• Day 2 - important updates on new treatment combinations for NDMM, particularly patients aged 65+ years; new report on real-world experience with CAR T-cell therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Click here

• Day 3 - the potential of new treatment strategies for patients with RRMM; updates on quadruplet regiments for NDMM. Click here

• Day 4 - updates on the use of various treatments for patients with RRMM, including a new class of myeloma drugs called CELMoDs. Click here

I - Have your voice heard!

Participate in 2 NEW myeloma patient and caregiver experience surveys

Myeloma Canada is seeking information from people impacted by myeloma, so we can share their experiences with the Canadian Drug Agency’s pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, Expert Review Committee (pERC), and the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS). These organizations make funding recommendations on oncology drugs approved for sale in Canada to provincial and territorial drug programs.

Survey #1 - Isatuximab + VRd 

The treatment combination IsaVRd (isatuximab + bortezomib [Velcade] + lenalidomide [Revlimid] + dexamethasone), will soon be reviewed for reimbursement in individuals with newly diagnosed transplant-ineligible myeloma.  

Deadline to participate: November 10, 2024, 11:59 PM EST.

Survey #2 - Selinexor + Vd

Selinexor in combination with bortezomib (Velcade) and dexamethasone (XVd) will be reconsidered for reimbursement in Quebec for patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma who have received at least 3 prior lines of therapy. We need participation from patients and caregivers across Canada (i.e. regardless of the province in which you live) please. 

Deadline to participate: November 10, 2024, 11:59 PM EST. 

II - Making noise this Blood Cancer Awareness Month

September 30th marked the end of Blood Cancer Awareness Month 2024, a global effort that started in 2010 to increase awareness of blood cancers like multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia. 

Thank you to Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine (Janssen) for facilitating the excellent press opportunities below through Healthing.ca so we could spread awareness for myeloma and share stories of living with the disease across the country: 

Rinat Avitzur: What it feels like: 'I will find ways to make cancer easier for people like myself’

Rinat shares the importance of her support system in the Montreal Gazette, the National Post, the Ottawa Sun, and the Vancouver Sun, all via healthing.ca as well as on Canoe.com.

Read the article

Nigel Holmes: Maple Ridge man with multiple myeloma finds hope in advancements

Nigel describes the “firehose” of information he encountered after his diagnosis at the age of 36, in the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News.

Read the article

Mélanie St-Jacques: «Je savais que quelque chose clochait»: elle doit retourner chez le médecin six fois pour se faire diagnostiquer un cancer du sang. (“I knew something was wrong": she had to go back to the doctor six times to be diagnosed with blood cancer.)

Mélanie tells her diagnosis story in French in the Journal de Montréal, Journal de Québec, QUB.ca and TVA Nouvelles. 

Read the article (in French)

...and Martine Elias, Myeloma Canada’s CEO: The changing landscape of multiple myeloma

Martine was featured in the Toronto Star, describing the state of research, awareness, and access to healthcare in Canada for folks living with myeloma.

Read the article

A huge thank you to Rinat, Nigel, Mélanie and everyone who worked so hard to make myeloma matter this past September! Myeloma is the second most common form of blood cancer, with approximately 11 Canadians diagnosed daily. Let’s get out there and raise awareness, today and every day! 

I - Register for the Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network’s (CCRAN) virtual symposium on early age onset cancer across tumour types

Addressing the detrimental impacts of early age onset cancer (EAOC): Access to timely diagnosis and management across tumour types including colorectal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, gynecologic cancers, liver cancer, bile duct cancer, pancreatic cancer, and more.

Cancer rates are rising among people under 50. It’s more important than ever to be informed and proactive. This Symposium brings together top experts, researchers, and fellow patient advocates to explore the unique challenges of early age onset cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment. 

Myeloma Canada is proud to be working with the CCRAN on this important issue, as well as on a national survey of EAOC’s patients’ experiences which will be presented at the Symposium. 

• Virtual symposium: November 14 – 15, 2024 
• To register, click here. 
• For more information, contact Shalini Gambhir at shalini.g@ccran.org  

Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network (CCRAN) is a patient-focused organization 

III - Myeloma Awareness InfoTable Day at Lakeridge Health 

On September 18th, 2024, Brian Snowdon, leader of the Peterborough & Kawartha Lakes Support Group, and Chantel Wicks, Regional Manager of Community Engagement & Development at Myeloma Canada, teamed up to host a Myeloma Awareness InfoTable Day at the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre, Lakeridge Health in Oshawa, Ontario. 

Representing both the Peterborough & Kawartha Lakes Support Group and the Durham Region Support Group, along with providing information for the AL amyloidosis community, Brian and Chantel connected with visitors impacted by myeloma. They shared educational resources, introduced local support groups, and highlighted how Myeloma Canada can assist those affected by the disease. 

I - NEW InfoSheet: “Managing osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and other mouth issues associated with myeloma and its treatment.”

New title added to InfoSheets series on managing side effects! 

This month, we address osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and other mouth issues associated with myeloma and its treatment. 

Good oral health is always important, even more so when you're undergoing myeloma treatment. It's best to identify and treat dental problems and oral infections before you start chemotherapy, undergo a stem cell transplant, or start taking bone protector drugs. 

To see all Myeloma Canada educational resources, 

visit our Resources page on myeloma.ca.  

II - A peek at the PAC

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

This month we'll hear from the Ontario representatives.

III - Howdy from the IMF Support Group Leaders Summit!

This past month, Myeloma Canada, along with a few of our support group leaders, had the pleasure to attend the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) Support Group Leaders Summit in San Antonio, Texas. The event brought together leaders from across the United States to share ideas, build connections, and celebrate their vital roles in supporting the myeloma community.

For us, it was an excellent opportunity to network, generate new ideas, learn, and support peers in our collective mission to improve the lives of people affected by myeloma.

Representing Myeloma Canada were Emmanuel Mercier, Support Group Leader (SGL) of the Saguenay Myeloma Support Group – Eastern Quebec Network; Jane Greggio, SGL of the Niagara Region Multiple Myeloma Support Network; and Chantel Wicks, Myeloma Canada’s Regional Manager of Community Engagement and Development.  

If you're traveling to the US or live near the border and want to connect with a US support group, visit Myeloma Canada’s 'Find support' page on myeloma.ca and select the 'United States' box. 

To find a local or online support group, or learn more about our peer support programs, click here.

Hello! I am Gisèle Fournier and I live with multiple myeloma.

Let's travel back to spring 2020 for a short moment. What was happening at that time? Amongst other things, the beginnings of a pandemic. 

After having worked for 20 years in France and Switzerland, I was in the midst of preparing my move back to Quebec when a first confinement started in Switzerland. My relocation project, already complex, suddenly became much more difficult...

I - InfoSessions

Each year Myeloma Canada hosts InfoSessions for people living with myeloma and their families, as well as healthcare professionals. InfoSessions feature guest speakers from the medical community in cities across Canada and are generally half-day sessions, covering the many aspects of living with myeloma and its management. 

Our 2024 InfoSessions are now over. Stay tuned for our 2025 calendar! 

II - 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. 

Ongoing Research in Myeloma: Developing Less Invasive Detection Methods Using Blood-Based Cell-Free DNA Tests  

Speaker: Dory Abelman, PhD Candidate at the University of Toronto, Department of Medical Biophysics. Jointly supervised by Dr. Trevor Pugh and Dr. Suzanne Trudel Labs, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON 

November 14th, 2024

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (EDT) 

For more information, click here.

Join Dory Abelman for a talk on research into new, less invasive methods for monitoring multiple myeloma. Dory will discuss how his research uses cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from a blood test to detect genetic changes as a potentially less invasive alternative to bone marrow biopsies. 

Among past webinars to watch:

• Top myeloma research presented at ASCO & EHA 2024 
• Myeloma : A brief overview - What’s new? 
• The role of exercise for those living with & beyond cancer 
• Living solo with myeloma 
• Infections and severe hypogammaglobulinemia in multiple myeloma patients 

Max out for Myeloma: Olympic weightlifter takes on myeloma 

Olympic weightlifter Terrace Boath has taken her strength beyond the platform this season by launching Max Out for Myeloma, a powerful fundraiser in honour of her father, Brian Krushel, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2018.  

With a goal of raising $5,000, Terrace will generously donate all proceeds directly to Myeloma Canada!  

You can support Terrace’s campaign in two ways: 

1. Pledge a donation of any amount for each kilo Terrace successfully lifts during her competitive season (Oct 2024 - May 2025). 
2. Purchase a "Max Out for Myeloma" t-shirt for $35.

• Check out Terrace’s fundraising page on the Myeloma Canada website

• For more information or to contribute, click here



• Follow “Max Out for Myeloma” on Instagram here

Join Terrace in her journey to make a powerful impact in the fight against myeloma and help her max out for this important cause.