COVID-19 & Myeloma InfoBulletin

Important information & links for our myeloma community
May 14, 2020 - Edition #7
Martine Elias - Executive Director
Hi everyone,

This week’s InfoBulletin features a new reference site as well as the regular dose of information that we hope you find useful and supportive as we continue to navigate these strange waters together.

As time passes, we hope that the protective measures to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy are becoming second nature.
Living in a country as diverse, unique (and might I add, wonderful) as Canada, the experiences and realities surrounding COVID-19 change from province to province. In some cases, our provincial government may not be aligned with what our federal government is suggesting or recommending. This can not only be frustrating but very confusing. Do we stay home, but also go out for fresh air? Do we self-isolate but remember to try and see family and friends from a safe distance of 2 metres? The questions and answers seem to often run in a circle. (If you’d like 3 minutes of levity, I definitely recommend clicking here to watch a very funny video I recently saw on social media!)

In all seriousness, as time goes on, some truths can become distorted and confused, which is why we’ve included a myths-buster article in this week’s line up of articles. The most important thing is that you continue to follow the advice of your particular government, your healthcare team, and your instincts - I for one, am erring on the side of caution regarding my activities and COVID-19.

We cannot reiterate it enough: the best way to stay healthy and safe, whether you are in treatment, remission or post stem-cell transplant, is to be vigilant on the safety measures we hear about daily. It never hurts to be reminded:

  1. Wash your hands with soap, vigourously and for at least 20 seconds, every time you enter your home.
  2. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content if soap and water are not available.
  3. Don’t touch your face, mouth, rub your eyes or nose before washing or disinfecting your hands.
  4. Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
  5. Maintain a safe distance of 2 metres between yourself and others when you leave the house.
  6. If anyone in your home is at risk, have them quarantine themselves to the best of their abilities, wear a mask and avoid common areas in the house.
  7. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  8. Use cleaning products to disinfect objects and surfaces you commonly touch, such as doorknobs, countertops, phones and toys.
  9. Stay home if you are feeling sick to avoid spreading germs to others.
  10. Practise physical distancing, even if you are feeling well.

We’re all in this together, for one another, so please, stay informed, stay well, stay healthy and stay positive.

Martine

As always, we are here for you. If you have any questions, please send them to Gabriele Colasurdo, Myeloma Canada’s Manager of Education & Patient Services: gcolasurdo@myeloma.ca.





For any specific issues or questions, it's always best to speak with your healthcare professional. But, we are here for you. If we can be of any help, please contact us at contact@myeloma.ca, or toll-free: 1-888-798-5771.
COVID-19 & Myeloma Webinars
The webinars below are offered to you by Myeloma Canada, at no cost, deal specifically with COVID-19 and myeloma, as well as other myeloma-related topics. Be sure to check out our website as well as our monthly Myeloma Matters e-newsletter for more information and to stay up-to-date on other webinar announcements.  
Upcoming webinars: May 15 - May 28, 2020
  • For more information, click on the links below.
  • To register, click on the "Register here" buttons.
Mindfulness@Home Cancer Series - May 15 - July 3, 2020
(11:00 am - 12:30 pm EST)
Free weekly video conference - every Friday
  • Dr Rob Rutledge, CEO and Chair, Healing and Cancer Foundation, Radiation Oncologist, Nova Scotia Cancer Centre, Associate Professor, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
  • Dr Timothy Walker, Ph.D, Psychotherapist , Mindfulness teacher 
Myeloma Canada InfoWebinar - May 20, 2020 (4:00 - 5:00 pm EST)
  • Amy Pilon, Executive Director, Oncology Drug Access Navigators of Ontario (ODANO) Drug Access Navigator – Pharmacy Oncology, Grey Bruce Health Services, Owen Sound, ON
Myeloma Canada InfoWebinar – May 25, 2020 (1:00 – 2:00pm EST)
  • Dr Arleigh McCurdy - Hematologist, The Ottawa Hospital, Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
Myeloma Canada InfoWebinar – May 27, 2020 (2:30 – 3:30 pm EST)
  • Frank Courjal - Director, Scientific Affairs, The Binding Site, Quebec City, QC

  • Ce webinaire sera également offert en français le 27 mai 2020, de 13h à 14h (HNE). Cliquez ici pour vous inscrire. 
Myeloma Canada InfoWebinar – May 28, 2020 (1:00 – 2:00 pm EST)
  • Yelak Biru - Patient Advocate, Board Member, International Myeloma Foundation, Bentonville, Arkansas
Past webinars
  • Click on the links below to access the videos.
  • All Myeloma Canada InfoWebinars are available for free viewing on our YouTube channel
Myeloma Canada InfoWebinar held May 12, 2020
  • Kyla Johnson, Occupational Therapist, Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC
Healing and cancer webinar series held May 10, 2020
Weekly interactive video conference/lecture series - Last in the series
  • Dr Rob Rutledge, CEO and Chair, Healing and Cancer Foundation, Radiation Oncologist, Nova Scotia Cancer Centre, Associate Professor, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
Myeloma Canada InfoWebinar held May 7, 2020
  • Interim Chair: David McMullen
  • Western Canada: Phil Harbridge, Susan McLean​
  • Ontario: Glenn Hussey, Deb McKnight
  • Quebec: Manon Veilleux
  • Atlantic Canada: David McConkey​

  • Ce webinaire sera également offert en français le 14 mai 2020, de 13h à 14h (HNE). Cliquez ici .
For more information, resources and updates on the COVID-19 virus, we recommend the agencies below:
Of course, always remember to call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your health.
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 connecte

Thank you for your generosity.
We're always here to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
You can reach us at contact@myeloma.ca or toll-free at 1-888-798-5771.

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