Dear community...
Martine Elias, Executive Director
"If ever the support, understanding or enthusiasm of a volunteer has touched your life in some way, or if you, as a volunteer have touched someone else’s, you know the power behind the kindness and passion. As we celebrate another National Volunteer Week in COVID-19 times, I’d be remiss if I didn’t, once again, recognize the incredible volunteers that have donated their time and energy to help pull us through this pandemic; each and every person who has, and continues to give of themselves to help improve the lives of others, are our true heroes.
 
Without our wonderful volunteers, Myeloma Canada would not be the organization we are today. "
Access & research
Latest news
Isatuximab (Sarclisa, for injection) with carfilzomib (Kyrpolis) and dexamethasone: Take our survey!
We need your help! Myeloma Canada is seeking updated information from people living with myeloma for a drug evaluation to assist the pan Canadian Oncology Drug Review (pCODR) process for a new treatment combination, as a 2nd line therapy and beyond, to be reviewed in the coming months:

  • Isatuximab (Sarclisa, for injection) with carfilzomib (Kyrpolis) and dexamethasone
This survey is intended for relapsed or refractory patients who have received at least one prior therapy, and should only take approximately 20 minutes of your time.

We ask that the survey be complete by May 9, 2021, 5:00 pm, ET.
Isatuximab (Sarclisa, for injection) with pomalidomide (Pomalyst) and dexamethasone: Final recommendation is out!
pCODR Expert Review Committee (pERC) conditionally recommends the reimbursement of isatuximab (Sarclisa, for injection) in combination with pomalidomide (Pomalyst) and dexamethasone (IsaPd) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least 2 prior lines of therapy including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor (PI), with conditions.

Click here to read the report.
Can less treatment be better?
Continuous lenalidomide (Revlimid) with dexamethasone (referred to as Rd) until myeloma progression is a standard treatment for elderly people with newly-diagnosed myeloma who are not eligible to undergo an autologous stem cell transplant. A recent randomized phase 3 study compared continuous Rd treatment as follows:
  • Rd group (98 patients): Continuous Rd (lenalidomide 25 mg/day for 21/28 days; dexamethasone 20 mg on days 1, 8,15, 22) until myeloma progression

  • Rd-R group (101 patients): 9 cycles of Rd (28 days/cycle; lenalidomide 25 mg/day for 21/28 days; dexamethasone 20 mg on days 1, 8,15, 22) followed by maintenance lenalidomide (10 mg/day for 21/28 days) without dexamethasone until myeloma progression
The results demonstrated that switching to reduced-dose lenalidomide maintenance without dexamethasone after 9 cycles of Rd (Rd-R group) is more tolerable (less side effects) than continuous Rd and does not alter survival in elderly, intermediate-fit, newly diagnosed myeloma patients.
Help us get funding for a drug to treat graft versus host disease for patients in Canada
Myeloma Canada, along with an alliance of 8 other blood cancer organizations, are preparing patient input submissions for the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies (CADTH) and Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux (INESSS). The submissions will make recommendations to the provinces and territories regarding funding for ruxolitinib (Jakavi), a new treatment for graft versus host disease (GvHD). 

We invite all patients world-wide who have received an allogeneic stem cell transplant to share their experience regarding graft versus host disease.
  • You do not need to live in Canada to participate in this survey.

  • The survey closes Saturday, May 15, 2021 at midnight Pacific Time

  • It should only take 25 minutes of your time to complete the survey.
What's new at Myeloma Canada
Announcing the 13th Annual Myeloma Canada Multiple Myeloma March!
For the 13th year, communities across Canada will be coming together again this fall to participate in Myeloma Canada’s flagship fundraiser, our annual 5km Multiple Myeloma March. 

Funds raised enable us to invest in important research that helps improve the lives of those living with myeloma, advocate for access to new drug therapies, and keep the needle moving forward toward finding a cure. For more on the March, click here.
Multiple Myeloma March, Regina (SK)
The Multiple Myeloma March is Myeloma Canada’s only national event that exclusively supports the Canadian myeloma community. Last year’s March surpassed all of our expectations! Your creativity, enthusiasm and commitment to make sure that Myeloma Canada’s Multiple Myeloma March went on – in spite of the obstacles we all faced – was truly remarkable.
Back by popular demand for the second consecutive year, we’re inviting you to use your power and personalize your march, your way! Whether in-person, online, or both, it’s not how we march, but that we march, that counts. 
Last year, we walked, ran and biked more than 16,000km ‘together’, making it from the most western tip of Canada - Beaver Creek in the Yukon Territory - all the way to Cape Spear in Newfoundland, and hitting every March community along the way. This year, let’s complete a full round-trip of this beautiful country of ours!

Multiple Myeloma March, Hamilton (ON) 2020
  • Want to start a March in your community? Contact Michelle Oana, Director of Development and Community Relations at moana@myeloma.ca
  • Need help registering or troubleshooting? Contact Patricia Celestin, Development and Operations Support Coordinator at pcelestin@myeloma.ca
Join us and walk the walk toward a cure.
You have the Power to help make it happen.
New InfoVideo is now online!
Click on the thumbnail to view this month’s InfoVideo.

InfoVideo Series #25
Can bone lesions related to myeloma develop and progress if blood tests indicate remission?

Find out the answer from Canadian myeloma expert,
Dr Alfonso Rivera Duarte, Hematologist,
Saint John Regional Hospital, Horizon Health Network in Saint John, NB.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to be amongst the first to see our videos!
Call for Applications to the Multi-disciplinary Advisory Council (MDAC)
Myeloma Canada is currently recruiting up to seven (7) Core members for our MDAC. As a member of MDAC, you will provide invaluable input to Myeloma Canada Board of Directors in responding to the challenges faced by Canadian patients, their families and caregivers impacted by myeloma.
The Multi-disciplinary Advisory Council (MDAC) is a new council that will advise the Board of Directors of Myeloma Canada on broad policy and program considerations. MDAC will have a strategic focus, highlighting multi-disciplinary trends in the global multiple myeloma community. MDAC will advise on emerging issues, threats and opportunities pertaining to the five strategic pillars of the Corporation.
Think you’re up for the challenge? Click here for more information and how to apply.
Myeloma Peer Support Program has launched!
Our new Myeloma Peer Support Program, created in collaboration with Wellspring, has launched! Wellspring is a Canada-wide network of community-based centres that offer programs and service, at no charge and without referral, to anyone, with any type of cancer, at any stage in their journey.

All Myeloma Peer Support Volunteers are individuals from within our Myeloma Canada community who have first-hand experience either living with myeloma, or as caregivers to someone with the disease. Volunteers have been carefully selected, and trained to provide you with the peer support you’re looking for.
If you feel that speaking with a Myeloma Peer Support volunteer would be helpful, signing up is quick and easy.
Spotlight on Trevor Ives:
Staying positive, planning for the future and enjoying the every day.
"My diagnosis immediately started a new era of learning for both Shauna and me as we began doing lots of reading, internet surfing and webinars. There is a lot of information out there and it can be both confusing and frightening. 

We have to remember that statistics are changing a lot as a result of improved treatments and ongoing research. I also believe that better myeloma awareness will lead to improved and faster diagnosis which will also improve quality of life and life expectancy for those diagnosed. I have a personal goal to independently skew these statistics"
In the community
The Man in the Arena: Surviving Multiple Myeloma Since 1992
James Bond has been surviving with multiple myeloma since 1992. His is an amazing story of tenacity, hard work and good fortune.
 
Jim and his caregiver/wife Kathleen have shared their journey in over 30 US states, at the National Academy of Science in Washington DC, and in Canada, Spain and Japan. They welcome opportunities to help other multiple myeloma patients and caregivers by sharing their experiences.
To view Jim's perspective video, click on the thumbnail.
Click here to buy Jim's book "The Man in the Arena: Surviving Multiple Myeloma Since 1992"
Upcoming events
Webinars
Join us online from the comfort of your own home! All you need is a computer, tablet or smart phone and an internet connection.
All webinars are taped and are available for viewing on our Myeloma Canada YouTube channel as well as on our website, myeloma.ca under the News & Events tab.

Don't forget - full information on upcoming webinars is also available in our 'News & Events' section, or by clicking here.
Thursday, June 17, 2021
4:00 – 5:00 pm EST
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
4:00 – 5:00 pm EST
Past webinars:

  • Medical Cannabis in Clinical Oncology: Present & Future - View Recording
  • Latest Myeloma Research Updates from the ASH 2020 Meeting​ - View Recording
  • Update on COVID-19 and Myeloma in Canada - View recording
  • Drugs Commonly Used for Multiple Myeloma Patients and Side Effects - View recording
  • Myeloma Monitor: Learn How to Organize, Track & Manage Your Myeloma - View recording
  • Oncology Rehabilitation Program Kinatex Sports Physio - View recording
  • Jim's Story of Self Advocacy, Living With Myeloma for 28 Years - View recording 
COVID-19 related news
COVID-19 section on myeloma.ca
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.
COVID-19 related webinars*
*See the "Upcoming Events" section below for non-COVID-19 related webinars
All webinars are free, recorded and are available for viewing on our Myeloma Canada YouTube channel.
For more information on all upcoming webinars, click here.
Resources
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: 
We're here for you
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.
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.