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October 2023
Dear community...
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Martine Elias, Myeloma Canada's
Executive Director
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"To our dear Canadian myeloma community:
Responsibility, Accountability, and Integrity.
We at Myeloma Canada take these principles to heart.
Why? Because it's our commitment to you to be a trustworthy custodian of every dollar you donate to us or help us raise for our common causes."
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We are thrilled to inform you that XPOVIO® (selinexor) in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (XVd) for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy, is now funded in Nova Scotia and British Columbia as of October 1st!
Please see the following links for full funding criteria:
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I - Mark your calendar for the 8th Annual Patients Redefining the Future of Health Care in Canada Summit: Nov 13 – 17, 2023 (virtual) | |
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Join patients, caregivers, and other healthcare stakeholders from across the country online to hear from community leaders, advocates, and experts about long-standing systemic issues in our health systems.
Discover how we can work together to modernize healthcare to meet the needs of all.
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II – Opinion: Precision medicine offers cancer patients a better chance at survival – why are we making them wait? | |
"It's time that our governments addressed the fragmented health-care systems and complex regulatory and pricing models that are blocking access to the innovative therapies people living with cancer need to survive." | |
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Read the rest of the open letter from Martine Elias, Executive Director of Myeloma Canada & Louise Binder, Health Policy Consultant, Save Your Skin Foundation. | |
III – Partnering to raise awareness for Blood Cancer Awareness Month | |
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As you may know, September was Blood Cancer Awareness Month.This year, we were thrilled and honoured to have received Sanofi’s generous sponsorship to participate in an important blood cancer awareness campaign driven by MediaPlanet.
A huge thank you to Rinat Avitzur, one of our cherished community members, myeloma avocates and leaders, for sharing her experience and story so openly.
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Blood Health campaign
The fully integrated cross-media campaign included:
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A digital article and landing page in Health Insight (healthinsight.ca) which yielded an amazing 5,255 pageviews! | |
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A full page printed article in the Special Interest section of Macleans magazine (Sept 14th issue) that went out to 3,547,000 readers! | |
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Social media posts and video with 50,089 views! | |
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We’re delighted with the results of the campaign and especially for enabling us to create awareness for myeloma beyond our own community! | | |
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A huge shout out also goes to Bristol Myers Squidd (BMS) for including Myeloma Canada in their social media Blood Cancer Awareness campaign.
We are, indeed, stronger together!
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IV - October 26th is World Amyloidosis Day | |
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What is AL amyloidosis?
Light chain amyloidosis (AL) is a related disorder to multiple myeloma. While some people with myeloma may also have, or develop, AL amyloidosis, it is rare for people with AL amyloidosis to develop myeloma.
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For information and resources on the relationship between AL amyloidosis and myeloma, please click here.
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Download the AL Amyloidosis InfoSheet here.
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Watch the video to learn more
Light Chain AL Amyloidosis Diagnosis and Treatment
Presented by Dr Victor Jimenez-Zepeda
Clinician Scientist, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute
Clinician Leader, Amyloid Program
Assistant Professor, University of Calgary
Calgary, AB
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What's new at Myeloma Canada | |
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I - Read the last Multiple Myeloma March Mini Mag of 2023!
Find all the latest news about this year’s Multiple Myeloma March in our Multiple Myeloma March Mini Mag.
The Marches are done but donations are still rolling in!
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In this month's issue:
- We reached our goal (and more)!
- Multiple Myeloma March 2023 photo album
- How you can donate
- A Multiple Myeloma Day at Hamilton Health Sciences Hospital
- The Marches make the news!
- and more!
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II - The results are in for the Défi Everest-Challenge! | |
1- The Défi Everest-Challenge…over the top! | |
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On September 24, the Défi Everest-Challenge took place in New Brunswick, an event organized by Pierre Laforest, his friends and family, to raise myeloma awareness and funds for research.
The ultimate objective for each team: to cover, at a minimum, the equivalent of Mount Everest’s altitude (8849 meters).
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Défi Everest-Challenge, 2023 | |
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Each participant ran or walked for 4 hours (8 a.m. to noon) to reach the maximum distance they could on a 2km circuit (27 meters of altitude per lap) in Dieppe’s Rotary Park. All had to complete a minimum of 5 laps (10 km) and could take as many breaks as needed over the course.
The fundraising goal for Défi Everest-Challenge was $58,849. To date, Pierre and all other participating teams have raised over $84,000!
A huge congratulations to everyone who participated in this year’s event! Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for helping us make myeloma matter.
You can still make a donation until the end of the year by clicking here.
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2- Défi Everest-Challenge’s very own pickleball tournament
On September 23, the Pickle Héros team, made up of Mathieu Ouellette, Nathalie Leblanc, Christine and Léo Picard, Diane, and Denis Ross, 6 members of the Moncton Pickleball Club, participated in the Défi Everest-Challenge in Dieppe, New Brunswick.
The Pickle Héros team organized the first ever mishmash pickleball tournament of the region to raise funds in support of myeloma research. A total of 68 Club members cheerfully competed in the tournament on Sunday, September 10th!
And the winners are…
- Men + 3.5 – Chi Do and Sean Hatchard
- Men - 3.49 – Pierre Laforest and Gilles Volpé
- Women + 3.5 – Monique Gallie and Lisa Cormier
- Women - 3.49 – Karen Fawnes and Norma Crossman
On behalf of the Pickle Héroes team and the entire myeloma community in New Brunswick, we would like to extend our warmest thanks to all participants, donors and volunteers who raised $6,250 to support our cause.
Mission accomplished! See you next year!
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III - NEW RECIPE!
Comfort in a bowl: Veggie miso ramen!
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Our latest recipe from Gill Compton, Certified Naturopathic Nutrition/Natural Chef is this warming Veggie miso ramen bowl. Packed with healthy vegetables and immune-boosting properties, it’s perfect as we embrace the fall season.
The Veggie miso ramen bowl contains many traditionally used medicinal ingredients to support and strengthen your body and can be adapted with seasonal vegetables to enjoy any time of the year.
Bon appétit!
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Click here to see all of our delicious and nutritious recipes from Gill. | | |
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Spotlight on Jean Lelievre :
Fulfilling my dreams in spite of multiple myeloma!
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Jean Lelievre and his wife, Martine Pronovost, in 2021 | |
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" My name is Jean Lelievre and I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in June 2021 at the age of 65.
My wife and I have been living in St-Adèle, in the Laurentians (QC) since 2019 and before that, we were living in Montreal’s Maisonneuve neighbourhood.
Montreal was my playground. I would ride about 40 kilometres every weekend for a total of 80 kilometres a week. I became very familiar with the parks in the city, especially Mount Royal and Maisonneuve. I would leave our condo early in the morning for what I called "my urban explorations". "
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InfoSession in Montreal
For people with myeloma and their caregivers
(in English)
Guest speakers:
Dr Adriana Rossi
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology)
Co-director, CAR-T and Stem Cell Transplant at the Center of Excellence for Multiple Myeloma
Rutterberg Treatment Center, Mont Sinai, New York
Dr Florian Kuchenbauer
Senior Scientist, Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Clinician Scientist, The Leukemia/BMT Program of BC, BC Cancer Associate Professor, Medicine, University of British Columbia
Thursday, November 2nd, 2023
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (EST)
Free of charge
InterContinental Montreal
Salle Belfour
360 Rue Saint-Antoine O, Montreal, QC H2Y 3X4
Learn more about the latest research and updates on the diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma.
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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.
Full information on upcoming and past InfoWebinars is available by clicking here.
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Cancer and medical cannabis – Quebec Cancer Foundation Webinar
(in French)
Guest speaker:
Philippe Sauthier
MD and President of the Foundation's Board of Directors
Marie-Pier Godère
Nursing assistant
Natalia Cherba
Santé Cannabis Program Coordinator
Thursday October 26th, 2023
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (EST)
In recent years, we’ve been talking more frequently about the use of medical cannabis at different stages of oncology care. Given the abundance of information shared with cancer patients and their loved ones, we felt it was important to shed light on how medical cannabis acts on cancer-related symptoms. There will be a question period at the end of the presentation.
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Allogeneic stem cell transplant and GvHD (Graft-versus-host disease)
Guest speaker: Dennis Kim
MD, PhD., Oncologist/Hematologist. Cancer Clinical Research Unit (CCRU), Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Wednesday, November 8th,2023
12:00 – 1:00 pm (EST)
An overview of the principles of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the current trend of its usage, as well as post-transplant complications, particularly on graft-versus-host disease and its pathogenesis, clinical presentation and its management.
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Improving quality and quantity of life: The role of palliative and supportive care after a myeloma diagnosis
Guest speaker: Reanne Booker
Nurse Practitioner at Alberta Health Services
Wednesday, November 22nd,2023
12:00 – 1:00 pm (EST)
Let’s discuss palliative care: what it is, what it isn't, and how it can help after a multiple myeloma diagnosis. Discover the common palliative and supportive care needs associated with multiple myeloma, and the palliative care resources available for patients and caregivers.
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Among past webinars available for viewing:
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InfoVideo Series #31
What is mass spectrometry and how can it replace the need for bone marrow biopsy?
Find out the answer from Dr Alfredo De la Torre Luján,
Hematologist, Nova Scotia Health Authority,
Assistant Professor, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.
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Click on the thumbnail to view our newest InfoVideo. | |
I - Soap-er initiative for myeloma! | |
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What started as a hobby for Chrissi Holmes and her mom, Donna St. Andrews, eventually grew into a successful family business known as Ruskin Soap Co. If you live in the Vancouver area, be sure to stop at Epic Yoga Fitness and purchase one of their soap bars!
For the entire month of October, $3 will be donated to Myeloma Canada for every unit sold at the studio to honour of her husband who, back in 2017, at the age of 37, was diagnosed with myeloma.
You may have spotted Chrissi and Donna at their first ever soap booth at this year's Vancouver Multiple Myeloma March, (which they have attended for years). All sales revenue from that day were also donated to Myeloma Canada to help advance research for treatment and, eventually, a cure!
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Chrissi and Donna at the
Vancouver Multiple Myeloma March, 2023
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Thanks so much Chrissi and Donna for your soap-er generosity and support! | |
II - Dancing for a cause! | |
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On September 30, Laura Smith organized a Zumbathon in Brossard, Qc to raise funds for her team, Team Wayne, who have been participating in the Montreal Multiple Myeloma March for many years. Laura created this initiative in memory of her late father, Wayne.
Congratulations to the entire team for zumba’ing their way to raising $1,000 for myeloma!
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Turn your passion into a fun fundraising event.
We can show you how!
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Reach out to Patricia Celestin, Myeloma Canada’s National Fundraising and Development Lead
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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: | |
Si vous préférez recevoir cette Infolettre en français, écrivez-nous à contact@myelome.ca.
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Myeloma Canada's mission: To improve the lives of Canadians impacted by myeloma through awareness-building, educational efforts, advocacy, fostering an empowered myeloma community and support of clinical research so that a cure may be found.
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