Martine Elias, Executive Director |
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"On December 5th, we honoured International Volunteers Day, a day when we reflect on the incredible members of our society who give of themselves for others. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Myeloma Canada would not be where we are today without you, our remarkable family of volunteers. Your actions, no matter how large or small, touch the lives of thousands and make each day brighter.
Your dedication to making myeloma matter is the reason why 2021 was an exceptional year for Myeloma Canada. We soared to new heights and exceeded even our own expectations in our programming, research investments and fundraising as a direct result of you, your passion, commitment, and support."
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Canadian Cancer Statistics 2021 update |
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A new Canadian Cancer Statistics full report was released in Nov. 2021. Full reports, published every second year, include detailed statistics on incidence, deaths, and survival, among other metrics, or over 20 different types of cancer. |
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Compared to the last full report released in 2019, 500 more Canadians are projected to receive a diagnosis of myeloma in 2021. This represents a myeloma incidence rate increase of 0.7 per 100,000 people in males and females combined. The change in incidence rate is mainly due to increases seen in males (1.3 per 100,000 compared to 0.2 per 100,000 in females). Overall, approximately 10 people are diagnosed with myeloma each day.
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In 2019, the five-year survival for myeloma between 2012-2014 was predicted to be 44% in males and females combined. In 2021, the Canadian Cancer Society reported an impressive increase of 6% in the five-year survival of people with myeloma for the years 2015–2017, bringing the new 5-year survival rate to 50%.
Compared to other cancers, myeloma has had one of the largest increases in survival over time with a 23 percentage point increase since the early 1990s.
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Patient survey for a new myeloma treatment under review in Canada: selinexor (XPOVIO) |
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Myeloma Canada is seeking updated information from people impacted by myeloma to assist the pan Canadian Oncology Drug Review (pCODR)* process with a drug evaluation— the oral XPO1 inhibitor selinexor (Xpovio) – for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, as a triplet in combination with bortezomib (Velcade) and dexamethasone.
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This survey is intended for:
- patients who have received one to three prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor;
- patients currently treated with the two-drug combination of bortezomib and dexamethasone;
- patients who have received, or are currently receiving, treatment with selinexor (100 mg once weekly or less), bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2 once weekly), and dexamethasone (20 mg twice weekly), through participation in the ongoing phase 3, open-label, BOSTON clinical trial that began in June 2017;
- caregivers of myeloma patients who participated in the phase 3 BOSTON clinical trial.
This survey should only take about 15 minutes of your time.
Please complete the survey by January 19, 2022, 5:00 pm EST.
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Contribute to research and have your voice heard!
Looking for females living with myeloma and of child-bearing potential
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Dr. Cheryl Pritlove, along with a research team at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, is conducting a study, “Exploring Experiences of Multiple Myeloma and RevAid Participation among Females of Childbearing Potential: A Qualitative Quality of Life Study”.
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This study involves a one-on-one, private and confidential 1-hr zoom or phone interview and is open to all females living with myeloma anywhere in Canada who are:
- determined to be of childbearing potential;
- following a program for immunomodulatory agents (IMIDs) and the associated RevAid Program (including pregnancy monitoring through the program).
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In appreciation, participants will receive a $50 gift card. |
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Please email any questions you may have about this study directly to Dr Lisa Dias, Study Coordinator at lisa.dias@unityhealth.to or Dr Cheryl Pritlove, Principal Investigator at cheryl.pritlove@unityhealth.to. Be sure to indicate Multiple Myeloma Study in the subject line.
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63rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition
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Myeloma Canada, along with thousands from the global hematology community, had the privilege of attending the 63rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition on December 11-14. Our attendance at ASH, although virtual, provided us with an invaluable educational experience – the opportunity to hear from leading myeloma experts about the latest progress in myeloma research.
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Topic highlights (non-exhaustive) from the conference include:
- CAR T-cell Therapy
- Novel Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
- Induction and Maintenance Treatment in Transplant-eligible Newly Diagnosed Myeloma
- Cereblon E3 Ligase Modulating Drugs in Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma
- Importance of Managing Side Effects to Personalize and Optimize Benefits
- iStopMM: Iceland Screens, Treats, or Prevents Multiple Myeloma
- PROMISE Study
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CADTH Therapeutic Review of multiple myeloma, unique in many ways |
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The CADTH Therapeutic Review of treatments for transplant-ineligible multiple myeloma patients represents several firsts for the organization. It is CADTH’s first therapeutic review in oncology, and its first involving international collaboration.
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In addition to international collaboration, Myeloma Canada’s national multiple myeloma patient advocacy group is also contributing to the project.
Myeloma Canada surveyed patients to complement patient group input that had been submitted to CADTH as part of previous reimbursement reviews of multiple myeloma treatments.
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What's new at Myeloma Canada |
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DOUBLE your IMPACT. DOUBLE your POWER to help SAVE LIVES.
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This year, we combined our Fall Giving campaign – "DOUBLE your IMPACT. DOUBLE your POWER to help SAVE LIVES." – with our Giving Tuesday campaign. So far, your donations for our myeloma community have been amazing! Thank you for your generosity and support.
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It’s not over yet! YOU still have the POWER to make a difference.
Giving Tuesday may be over but our Fall Giving campaign is still going strong. Join us today. YOU have twice the POWER to help save the lives of Canadians living with myeloma.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Dale and Mike, 2 of our community members every donation you make to Myeloma Canada will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $73,000! Learn more here.
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Help us reach our goal!
DOUBLE your POWER and DOUBLE your IMPACT with a:
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Every gift will be going twice as far and doing twice as much for our myeloma community.
Every dollar counts and is truly appreciated!
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Note: Please be sure to check your spam, junk or even deleted folders for your official tax receipt. If it’s not there, email us at contact@myeloma.ca and we’ll be happy to issue you another.
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5th Annual Sam’s Monte Carlo Casino Night - A Tribute to Richard Oana
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On behalf of the Oana family and the team at Myeloma Canada, we would like to sincerely thank each and every one of you for doing your part in making myeloma matter at the 5th Annual Sam’s Monte Carlo Casino Night - A Tribute to Richard Oana.
The event was, once again, a huge success. Thanks to your generosity, $47,500 was raised for Myeloma Canada this year, totalling $225,000 to date!
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We would like to thank our sponsors and event partners for their very generous contributions: L.A. Leasing, Broccolini, Canderel, Spa Munari, Potvin Allard CPA, National Bank, Anglo-Franco TD Real Estate Group, Auberge des Gallant, Roy + Co. SELECTIONS, Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company, Sugar Mama, event host Kim Sullivan from Global Montreal, DJ Longlade Entertainment and Total Events.
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We hope you enjoyed the evening as much as we did. Looking forward to seeing
you again next year on November 5, 2022! Save the date!
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New InfoVideo is now online! |
Click on the thumbnail to view this month’s InfoVideo.
InfoVideo Series #29
What are plasmacytomas, where can they form, and how can they be treated?
Find out the answer from Canadian myeloma expert, Dr Alissa Visram, Hematologist, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON
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Year-end gift giving… get creative and save on your 2021 taxes |
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It's time to talk tax (receipts that is!)
There are just a few weeks left to make your donations count for your 2021 tax return. We have a few ideas that can help you save on your taxes while supporting Myeloma Canada:
- Donate securities and mutual funds
- Take advantage of government tax incentives
- Carry donations forward for larger charitable tax credits
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Spotlight on Glenn Hussey:
My myeloma story
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"Not surprisingly, I finally felt the need to undertake in-depth research of multiple myeloma. Fortunately, that process was greatly facilitated by The Ottawa Hospital’s Myeloma Clinic as they provided me with an information package that included information about Myeloma Canada, and the Ottawa/Gatineau Support Group.
I attended several Myeloma Canada Information Sessions, studied the Myeloma Canada and International Myeloma Foundation websites, and became a member of the Ottawa/Gatineau Community Network.
I was slowly becoming informed about my disease.”
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Join us online from the comfort of your own home! All you need is a computer, tablet or smart phone and an internet connection.
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Don't forget - full information on upcoming webinars is also available in our 'News & Events' section, or by clicking here.
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Wednesday, January 19
7:00 - 8:00 pm EST
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Our website includes a section dedicated to COVID-19 and its impact on our community. Please visit it often for regular updates and resources you can trust.
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COVID-19 related webinars*
*See the "Upcoming Events" section below for non-COVID-19 related webinars
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All webinars are free, recorded and are available for viewing on our Myeloma Canada YouTube channel.
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For more information on all upcoming webinars, click here.
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Past webinars:
Click on the title to view the recording:
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Myeloma Canada is here to support you along every phase
of your myeloma journey.
Please consult our website at myeloma.ca for up-to-date news and information,
as well as the following helpful links:
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In these difficult times, you, our community, remain our number one priority.
Now more than ever, we appreciate your support. Your donation enables us to continue
providing you with the best information, resources, programs and services - across as many
technology platforms as possible - to stay empowered, informed and connected, while funding
research to help find a cure for this disease.
Thank you for your generosity and for helping us help you.
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Follow us on social media for the most up-to-date information and resources: |
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Si vous préférez recevoir cette Infolettre en français, écrivez-nous à contact@myelome.ca.
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