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After surviving breast cancer, Alicia Collier never expected to find herself back in an oncology office. But this time, she was facing a new challenge: a diagnosis of smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). In this week’s blog, Alicia shares how she made the decision to stay positive and proactive despite her SMM diagnosis.

As her condition progressed to active myeloma, Alicia encountered another hurdle: Her insurance wouldn’t cover care from her preferred myeloma specialist. Determined to get the care she needed, she made the difficult decision to pay out-of-pocket for treatment.

Today, Alicia is a proud graduate of the IMF’s Legislative Advocacy Master Class and is using her experience to advocate for better coverage for myeloma patients. The IMF, in collaboration with Patient Rising, spearheads this Advocacy Master Class. For more information on the Advocacy Master Class, email Michael Riotto at [email protected]. READ THE BLOG.

For the second year in a row, the International Myeloma Foundation is hosting the Iceland Cycling Expedition, a 6-day/7-night fundraising cycling challenge in the High Mountains of Iceland. The event kicks off in Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavík on August 27, 2025. Cyclists will follow a route to and through Iceland’s High Mountains. This event is designed and planned to bring a group of individuals, either directly or indirectly affected by myeloma, to share their inspiring journeys, fundraise to find a cure, and spread awareness about the challenges associated with multiple myeloma in various parts of the world. Learn more about the diverse group of 15-20 participants, including myeloma clinicians, patients, care partners, nurses, and sponsor representatives, who will join this once-in-a-lifetime fundraising cycling expedition. They will be able to support the iStopMM Research Project in Iceland through their passion for cycling and determination to get closer to a cure for myeloma. LEARN ABOUT THE 2025 ICELAND CYCLING EXPEDITION.

Join us for an IMF Virtual Myeloma Community Workshop on the topic of Managing Myeloma at Relapse on Tuesday, July 29, at 3:00 p.m. PST | 4:00 p.m. MT | 5:00 p.m. CST | 6:00 p.m. EST. During this virtual workshop, experts will discuss treatment strategies for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, the importance of clinical trials, symptom management, and shared decision making with your healthcare team. 

This virtual event’s speakers include IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO (TGen at the City of Hope — Phoenix); Yi Lin, MD, PhD (Mayo Clinic — Rochester, MN); Brea Lipe, MD (University of Rochester — Rochester, NY); IMF Nurse Leadership Board Member Rebecca Lu, MSN, FNP-C (MD Anderson Cancer Center — Houston); and IMF Vice President of Patient Support Robin Tuohy. After each presentation, attendees will have time to ask questions of these experts. SAVE MY SEAT.

Join the IMF for a Seattle Community Workshop on August 9, 2025, at the Graduate by Hilton (4507 Brooklyn Ave NE). Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with leading myeloma specialists in a supportive, in-person setting. During the event, experts will cover key topics, including myeloma basics, upfront treatments at diagnosis, maintenance therapy, and what to know about relapse. A member of the IMF Nurse Leadership Board will also provide insights on managing side effects and symptoms. Plus, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the specialists. Click on the following link for a list of the event's speakers and to register: REGISTER NOW.

Along with patient advocates and support group leaders, IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael discussed Top Myeloma Research presented at the June 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Conference, the IMF International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Summit, and the European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Conference. Myeloma Research Advocate and City of Hope Support Group Leader Todd Kennedy, President of Myeloma Patients Europe and Patient Advocate Barbara Leonardi, and Founder and Support Group Leader of the Connecticut Myeloma Fighters Information Group Michael Tuohy provided insights on this research from the patient perspective. Watch replays of this webinar in the following segments: Smoldering Myeloma, Frontline Therapy, Early Relapse, Late Relapse, and New Definition of High-Risk Myeloma. Also, the webinar in its entirety is available from the following link: WATCH THE REPLAY.

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will host our 2025 Los Angeles Patient and Family Seminar at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City (555 Universal Hollywood Drive) on August 15-16, 2025. Our panel of myeloma experts has been announced. These speakers include Laura Beilke, Esq. (Triage Center); IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO; IMF Nurse Leadership Board Member Donna Catamero, ANP-BC, OCN®, CCRC (Mount Sinai Hospital — New York); IMF Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Danielle Doheny; IMF Nurse Leadership Board Member Beth Faiman, PhD, MSN, APN-BC, AOCN®, BMTCN®, FAAN, FAPO (Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Institute — Cleveland); IMF Nurse Leadership Board Member Michaela Hillengass, RN, ACSM-CPT (Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center — Buffalo, NY); Murali Janakiram, MD, MS (City of Hope — Duarte, CA); IMF Scientific Advisory Board Member Shaji Kumar (Mayo Clinic — Rochester, MN); and Robert Vescio, MD (Cedars-Sinai, Samuel Oschin Cancer Center — Los Angeles).  IMF Team members who will speak at this seminar include IMF Vice President of Development Sylvia Dsouza; IMF Vice President of Support Groups Robin Tuohy; and twenty-five-year myeloma survivor Michael Tuohy. The seminar is FREE, but in-person seating is LIMITED. REGISTER NOW.