The IWMF mission statement is to support and educate everyone affected by Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM) to improve patient outcomes while advancing the search for a cure.

- Special Announcements -

2024 Walk for Waldenstrom's THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported the Walk for Waldenstrom’s! Your dedication has made a significant impact, whether through walking, fundraising, or cheering others on. You can check out a fun video compilation HERE!

Together, we’ve taken strides toward raising awareness and advancing research for a world without WM. Your efforts mean the world to the WM community; we couldn’t have done it without you! 



We encourage you to keep moving, taking steps to improve your health and wellness. We are excited to share that we have received nearly $50,000 in donations, THANK YOU! If you would still like to donate, we will accept Walk donations through December 31, 2024.

A special thanks to all who submitted photos of their walks, runs, horseback and bike rides, kayak trips, and other fun adventures whether solo, with friends, family, or other WM community members.

2024 European Educational Forum

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who attended the

European WM Patient Forum!

Whether you joined us in person in London or tuned in virtually from across the globe, your participation made this event truly special!

The incredible discussions, shared experiences, and valuable insights have brought us closer as a community, building a stronger, more supportive WM network for patients and caregivers alike.

Thank you to the speakers, organizers, and everyone who made the forum a success. Your dedication and commitment to improving the lives of those affected by WM are truly inspiring.

Here’s to continued learning, support, and progress!

IWMF Sponsoring Lecture at LL&M Congress

Inviting healthcare professionals: Join IWMF at the Lymphoma, Leukemia & Myeloma Congress this month; 75+ experts discuss the latest in hematologic malignancies and treatment strategies. The lymphoma track on October 17 features an IWMF-sponsored lecture with Dr. Edward Stadtmauer (Co-Lead, Hematologic Malignancies, University of Pennsylvania): Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia - Clinical and Biological Features to Guide Therapy.

Don’t miss this event, register HERE.

IWMF Releases Newly Updated FAQ Booklet

Our popular Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) booklet has been updated to include the most current information available on WM to support newly diagnosed and veteran patients with WM and their caregivers, family, and friends. Inside you’ll find answers to questions such as “Is there a cure for WM?” “Should I get a second opinion?” and “How is WM diagnosed?” Download the newly updated FAQ booklet today for answers to these questions and more. You’ll find it on the publications page of the IWMF website.

- Education-

Senior Living Webinar Recordings

Back in June, a conversation began on IWMF-CONNECT on the topic of Continuing Care Retirement Communities, or CCRCs. A lot of interest was generated on this topic, so we offered a two-part series to further explore the ins and outs of senior living options. To check out the recordings, click the buttons below!

Upcoming Webinar from The Patient Story

October 10th at 6:00PM ET

From The Patient Story:

The relationship between a patient and their doctor can make all the difference. A strong partnership leads to more informed decisions, personalized care, and a greater sense of control. Join Dr. Sarosiek, an expert in WM, and patient advocate Jason Euzukonis, as they discuss what makes their patient-doctor teamwork truly effective.

• Learn how to build trust and open communication with your healthcare team
• Understand the role of shared decision-making in Waldenström treatment
• Hear first-hand experiences of navigating a chronic cancer with your doctor by your side
• Discover practical tips for advocating for yourself or a loved one in the treatment process
• Explore how teamwork fosters a supportive environment for long-term care

Earlier this year, The Patient Story held a program titled Living with the Mental Health Aspects of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM). Pete DeNardis (IWMF Board Chair) led a discussion with two experts in the field of cancer care, Dr. Jonas Paludo from the Mayo Clinic and Dr. Shayna Sarosiek from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, about the crucial topic of watch and wait. Watch the replay at https://tinyurl.com/2fdjapmt.

Webinar Available from LLS & Triage Cancer:

Medicare Open Enrollment and Part D Changes

Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 3:00PM ET



Join Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Triage Cancer for a webinar on Medicare Open Enrollment and New Part D changes.

This focus of this special session is the upcoming open enrollment for Medicare and changes to Medicare Part D plans. The discussion will be led by Bethany Lilly, Executive Director Public Policy, LLS Office of Public Policy and Monica Bryant, Esq., Triage Cancer Chief Operating Officer.

Click HERE for more information and Zoom link.

Wellness Webinar: Spirituality and Cancer

Thursday, October 31st at 11:00AM ET

SPIRITUALITY AND CANCER WITH DAVID MAGINLEY

Co-hosted by Gail Ferguson, WMFC Atlantic Canada Support Group Leader

Research has shown that some form of spirituality can offer individuals coping with cancer more hope, meaning, peace, and a better quality of life. Join spiritual counselor and cancer survivor David Maginley to explore how healthy spirituality can improve coping and prognosis. In this webinar, David will guide us in a discussion surrounding the nature of consciousness and the connection of body, mind, and spirit in living with cancer. We will also practice a short mindfulness meditation and enjoy a 30-minute Q & A with David.

David Maginley, M.Div, CSCP is a spiritual counselor, author, and public speaker. For 25 years, David Maginley has provided psychospiritual care for the cancer, palliative, and intensive care units at a major Canadian hospital. Himself a four-time survivor of a rare cancer, including a near-death experience, David knows what it’s like to have cancer from both sides of the hospital bed. A member of the Canadian Association for Psychosocial Oncology, David has formed close connections to IWMF support group leaders in Canada. With degrees in philosophy and as an ordained minister, David has a deep sense of purpose in supporting others in their spiritual journey through his private practice and international presentations. He is the author of Beyond Surviving: Cancer and Your Spiritual Journey.

LRF Ed Forum in New York on October 26-27

IWMF will have a table at the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) Educational Forum this month. Dr. Shayna Sarosiek of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will be a WM breakout speaker on October 26th, so don't miss this event if you are in the NYC area!

Register Here.

Upcoming Specialty Topic Support Groups

We are happy to share that IWMF has many specialty topic support groups lined up through the end of the year:

• Young WM (under age 50)- October 26th at noon ET
• WM Military Veterans- November 21st at 2:00PM ET
• Amyloidosis- Date to be confirmed- stay tuned!
• Watch & Wait- December 12th at 2:00PM ET- more to come!

Stay tuned to the IWMF website calendar for information on these upcoming meetings, including regional and international affiliate support groups.

To join any of the mailing lists for the groups above, send an email with the specific group name(s) to Shelly at mpostek@iwmf.com.

Exploring Meditation with Kimberley Snow

Tuesday, October 8th at 1:00PM ET

This three-part series explores a range of meditation techniques designed to decrease negative emotions and enhance physical and mental wellbeing. Each 30-minute session includes guided meditations plus a variety of resources. Sign up here.

Class will meet on these dates: October 8th, November 19th, and December 10th.

Kimberley Snow, Ph.D., teacher, author, and workshop leader, taught writing at UCSB before she moved to study and work in a Tibetan retreat center in Northern California for six years. Since returning to Santa Barbara, she's led a wide range of workshops, many combining writing and meditation. The author of five books, including Writing Yourself Awake: Meditation and Creativity, Kimberley will be sharing many resources to help us start and sustain a regular meditation practice. Kimberley was diagnosed with WM in 2012.

Webinar: Easing GI Discomfort Through Nutrition

Thursday, October 17th at 12:00PM ET

Did you know that constipation affects over half of all cancer patients?

Join Kayla Cooke and Jackie Horne RD, CDN, Senior Registered Dietitian at the Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center at Northern Westchester Hospital, to learn how your diet can help manage your GI symptoms. They will be discussing nutritional tips and offering fun recipe demonstrations that may provide relief. Register Here.

October Wellness Calendar

In Case You Missed It

Get Your Blood Moving with a 30-minute Cardio Flow class! Challenge your coordination and balance while addressing symptoms such as fatigue and peripheral neuropathy. Improve blood flow, balance, and mobility.

Partner Spotlight:

New DLBCL Toolkit from Lymphoma Coalition

From Lymphoma Coalition:

A new toolkit has been designed for patients with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), their loved ones, and caregivers. 

This toolkit covers a wide range of relevant topics and issues to answer questions and provide support to those affected by DLBCL.

This toolkit is available in English, French, German, Danish, Spanish and Italian and are available here, through the Lymphoma Coalition website.  

Let's Work Together to Accelerate the Cure!

Accelerate the Cure is much more than a campaign slogan. It’s our next 31 million USD effort, over five years, to find a cure and support those with WM and their caregivers. Global researchers have a new set of WM research targets, and they are afire with excitement. We believe we can find that cure, and we hope 100% of our WM family will contribute! IWMF has three Research Opportunity Funds for your consideration: One for global research, one for WM-NET to accelerate clinical trials, and one that funds the next generation of researchers. We have a fourth fund that enhances our ability to be the world hub for WM education and support. In the months ahead, through this weekly and the Torch, we will illustrate the research progress that is rapidly accelerating through donor investment.

We encourage you to visit our Accelerate the Cure page on IWMF’s website to learn more and perhaps contribute. We invite conversations. Contact us at: office@iwmf.com.

Waldenstrom's Weekly is a free service to WM community members to share WM related news and events. Click on "download photos" at the top to view all content. For more information, email info@IWMF.com or visit www.IWMF.com