"Dear myeloma community,

With 30 marches down, and over 10 to go, our 16th annual Multiple Myeloma March season is still very much in full gear. As such, I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some background on this inspiring event and its history. The march is not only important to and for Myeloma Canada, but to and for the thousands of Canadians across the country whose lives have been affected by this disease in one way or another."

Latest news

Update on myeloma research in September (ASCO and EHA)

A non-exhaustive global overview of the myeloma research presented at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (May 30 – June 3) and the European Hematology Association (EHA) Hybrid Congress (June 13-16). Read more.

Myeloma Canada at the CDA-AMC Symposium 2024 

Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) Symposium 2024 is a 3-day hybrid event in Ottawa (ON) that gathers leaders from across Canada with expertise in policy, industry, health technology assessment, patient advocacy, medicine, public health, and communications. Read more.

2024 CanNKC Symposium at the University of Ottawa 

Myeloma Canada was proud to sponsor, attend, and present at the 2nd annual CanNKC Symposium that took place June 13-14 in Ottawa. The scientific program consisted of three plenary sessions which highlighted the role of natural killer (NK) cells in cancer, immune-regulation, and infectious diseases.  

The meeting also provided trainees (graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, clinical residents) and leading NK cell researchers with a safe space in which to share and discuss their research. 

I - We need your voice!

Myeloma Patient and Caregiver Experience Survey:



DVRd : daratumumab + bortezomib + lenalidomide + dexamethasone

A new combination of myeloma drugs, DVRd (daratumumab-bortezomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone) is under review for reimbursement in individuals with newly diagnosed transplant-eligible myeloma.



The survey should only take around 10 minutes of your time. We ask that the survey please be completed by October 9, 2024, 11:59 PM EST.

Thank you in advance for your participation and helping your fellow Canadians impacted by myeloma!

II - Be careful if you buy travel insurance as a cancer patient 

Why the length of the “Stability Period” is critical. Practice personal risk management if you travel. Read the article by Jan Wleugel, Toronto & District Myeloma Support Group Steering Committee member.

There are 10+ marches left!

Don't miss your chance to participate in the 2024 Multiple Myeloma March season.

III - Share your creativity!

Enter CURE®’s 2025 Calendar Contest

Have you used art as a part of your cancer journey? Share your creations for a chance to be featured in CURE®’s 2025 Art Calendar! Even if your work isn’t selected for their calendar, it will still be eligible to be included in their upcoming Color with CURE® activity booklets.  

Deadline for art submissions: Oct 3, 2025 

CURE® is the largest consumer magazine in the United States focused entirely on cancer. 

I - NEW InfoVideo!

InfoVideo #35

Question:  

What is Waldenström macroglobulinemia and how is it related, similar, and different from multiple myeloma? 

Find out from Shirley D’Sa, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, Hematologist and Clinical Lead, UCLH Centre for Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) and Associated Disorders, Neurohematology Service at the National Hospital for Neurology, Honorary Associate Professor, UCL Cancer Institute, London (UK) 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive automatic alerts:

II - Watch “Four important videos for the newly diagnosed” from the Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia Foundation of Canada (WMFC). 

III - A peek at the PAC

Read the second edition of A Peek at the PAC for news from your Patient Advisory Council (PAC).

IV - Please join us in welcoming Leigh Kinch-Pedrosa to the Myeloma Canada team!

We’re thrilled to announce that

Leigh joined us on August 26, 2024

as our Digital Engagement and Communications Specialist. 

Leigh will be responsible for helping to promote and create awareness for myeloma, Myeloma Canada, our events and programs across all of our social and digital platforms.

Leigh comes to Myeloma Canada with a strong background in digital marketing and communications.

Leigh has led digital efforts for non-profits in academic publishing, equitable education, and the arts. She also worked in education and insurance technology companies before transitioning into the role of a full-time parent of three kids. During her time away from the workforce, she reevaluated her career and decided it was time to do something that has a direct and positive impact on people’s lives. She’s thrilled to be stepping back into the non-profit universe and devoting her skills to Myeloma Canada and our Canadian myeloma community.  

Besides her experience as a digital communications professional, Leigh is also an accomplished storyteller and producer, having produced and performed storytelling shows for Montreal’s Phi Centre, Centaur Theatre, CBC Books, and Just for Laughs. She is also the co-founder of Confab StoryLab, the educational arm of the national storytelling organization Confabulation. Over the years, Leigh developed a keen understanding of how to structure a narrative and loves helping other people tell their stories.  

We're thrilled to have Leigh onboard and work her story-telling and digital marketing magic to help increase awareness for myeloma. Leigh can be reached at lpedrosa@myeloma.ca.

Leigh lives in Montreal with her loud and loving family which includes a goldendoodle and a bernadoodle.

"Hello, my name is Nancy Bies, and I am living with multiple myeloma (MM).

I’m originally from Victoria, BC but my husband and I live in Yellowknife, NWT. 



In May 2019, at the age of 48, I was diagnosed with MM when doctors discovered abnormal protein levels in my blood while investigating why my heart was malfunctioning."

Highlights from the 2024 Edmonton Myeloma Patient & Caregiver Conference

The 2024 Edmonton Myeloma Patient and Caregiver Conference was held in partnership with the Myeloma Alberta Support Society (MASS) and the Southern Alberta Myeloma Patient Society (SAMPS), on September 7 and 8.

The conference was a resounding success, bringing together myeloma patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals for two days of education and networking. 



Attendees were engaged in a range of insightful presentations, covering topics such as:

• patient support programs;
• exercise tips for individuals living with multiple myeloma;
• cutting-edge advancements in cellular therapy;
• tips for better understanding lab results

In addition to the educational sessions, the conference fostered a supportive environment where participants had the opportunity to share experiences and build a sense of community with others.

The weekend reminded everyone that despite the ongoing fight against multiple myeloma, research advances and a wide array of resources are providing hope and improving the quality of life for all those affected by the disease.  

Conquering mountains: Myeloma physicians' trek in the Andes raises $5,310 

“As women myeloma physicians, we walk beside our patients as they face their mountains." 

In July 2024, eight inspiring women physicians who work with myeloma patients took on a mountain of their own, and completed a nearly 30-mile trek in the Andes Mountains in Peru.

It was an incredible experience filled with challenges, joy, and camaraderie, and which enabled them to raise $5,310 for myeloma research. 

Congratulations to you all!