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In this week's blog, IMF Vice President of Development Sylvia Dsouza talks about the highlights of the 2024 IMF Iceland Cycling Expedition. In August 2024, a team of 15 individuals (including myeloma patients, care partners, and doctors) were on a quest to finish a 100-mile expedition across Iceland to raise both awareness for the disease and funding for research aimed at finding a cure. Sylvia relays some inspiring moments during the course of the six-day, five-night cycling expedition: the rough terrain and harsh weather conditions of Iceland vs the tenacity and resilience of the cyclists, especially participants who are living with myeloma. The 2024 IMF Iceland Cycling Expedition is as unique and as noteworthy as the project it supports—the iStopMM (Iceland, Screens, Treats, Or Prevents Multiple Myeloma) initiative whose main goal is to evaluate the impact of screening for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermine significance (MGUS), the precursor to multiple myeloma. Because of its inaugural success, the 2025 Iceland Cycling Expedition is now in the works, and will take place from August 27-September 2, 2025. Sylvia invites participants to apply for the 2025 Iceland Cycling Expedition. Deadline for submission of applications is on Thursday, November 14, 2024. READ THE BLOG
Watch this uplifting video coverage of the August 2024 Iceland Cycling Expedition (ICE) and experience moments along the rough terrain as well as emotional highlights of resilience from those facing multiple myeloma. By uniting myeloma patients, care partners, and healthcare professionals, ICE "symbolizes the relationship we have with each other and why we are doing this," said myeloma specialist Dr. Saad Usmani, who was one of the cyclists. ICE raised funding for crucial myeloma research, including the IMF's iStopMM initiative in Iceland, which aims to detect and prevent multiple myeloma at an early stage. "In simple terms, iStopMM would not have ever happened without help from the IMF," said iStopMM Principal Investigator Dr. Sigurdur Kristinsson. WATCH NOW.
The next IMF Online Myeloma Community Workshop will take place on Tuesday, November 12, at 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. ET (2:30 – 5:00 p.m. PT | 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. MT | 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. CT). Speakers include IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD, M.Ed., FRCPC, FACP (TGen at the City of Hope — Phoenix); Louis Williams, MD, MBA (Taussig Cancer Institute at the Cleveland Clinic — Cleveland); and IMF Nurse Leadership Board Member Beth Faiman, PhD, RN, MSN, APRN-BC, AOCN®, FAAN, FAPO (Taussig Cancer Institute at the Cleveland Clinic — Cleveland). Topics will include an introduction to myeloma, upfront treatments at diagnosis, maintenance therapy, relapse information, and an update on clinical trials. Beth Faiman will talk about managing side effects and symptoms of myeloma and its treatments. After each presentation with the experts, attendees will have ample time to ask questions. REGISTER NOW.
Register for Las Voces de Mieloma (Spanish/virtual) Support Group on Tuesday, November 19, from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. PST at https://lasvoces.support.myeloma.org. The event's guest speaker will be Dr. Miguelina de los Ángeles Almánzar Sánchez, and she will speak about the Pathophysiology of Multiple Myeloma. She earned his Doctor of Medicine PUCMM in Santiago, or Dr.; and has a Master's in Internal Medicine. Dr. de los Ángeles Almánzar Sánchez is also a Hematology Specialist and the Hematology Residency Coordinator at the José María Cabral y Báez Regional Hospital. She is a member of the review committee for new hematologists of the Dominican Society of Hematology, an active member of the ICOR Foundation, and a member of the Dominican Society of Hematology North Branch academic team. Additionally, Dr. de los Ángeles Almánzar Sánchez is part of a team that is developing the protocol for the diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma. For any questions, please email l[email protected]. REGISTER NOW.
Regístrese en el grupo de apoyo Las Voces de Mieloma (español/virtual) Siguiente reunión: El martes 19 de noviembre, de 10 a. m. a 11 a. m. PST en https://lasvoces.support.myeloma.org. Orador invitado: Dra. Miguelina de los Ángeles Almánzar Sánchez, quien hablará sobre La Fisiopatología del Mieloma Múltiple. Dra. Miguelina de los Ángeles Almánzar Sánchez: Doctora en Medicina interna en PUCMM en Santiago, Republica Dominicana; tiene una Maestría en Medicina Interna, también es especialista en Hematología y Coordinadora de la Residencia de Hematología del Hospital Regional José María Cabral y Báez. Es miembro del Comité Revisor de Nuevos Hematólogos de la Sociedad Dominicana de Hematología, miembro activo de la Fundación ICOR y miembro del equipo académico de la Sociedad Dominicana de Hematología Seccional Norte. Además, forma parte de un equipo que está desarrollando el protocolo para el diagnóstico y tratamiento del mieloma múltiple. Si tiene alguna pregunta, envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected]. REGÍSTRESE AHORA.
The Fall 2024 edition Myeloma Today is now available to download for free. In this edition, IMF President & CEO and 28-year myeloma patient Yelak Biru writes, “The IMF’s superpower is the collaborative, creative, and comprehensive approach to accomplishing our mission and vision.” Yelak then introduces readers to the IMF’s new collaborative body of myeloma experts—the Scientific Advisory Board. IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD discusses progress in the field of myeloma, including recent FDA approvals, takeaways from the 2024 International Myeloma Society annual meeting, and other news on the IMF’s activities in the U.S. and abroad. Also in this edition, learn about the projects being funded by the 2024 IMF Brian D. Novis Research Grants program, changes to Medicare Part D for 2025, the 25th Support Group Leaders Summit, 2024 Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and more. DOWNLOAD NOW.
An in-person IMF Regional Community Workshop will take place on November 16, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Paradise Valley (5401 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85250) from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. MT. Speakers include MF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP (TGen at the City of Hope — Phoenix); Saurabh Chhabra, MD, MS (Mayo Clinic — Phoenix); IMF Nurse Leadership Board Member Beth Finley-Oliver, MSN, ARNP, AGNP-BC (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute — Tampa, FL); and Peter Mathern, MD, (Cancer & Blood Specialists of Arizona — Casa Grande, AZ). There will also be patient and care partner panel with Gary and Judy Elliott. Topics will include Myeloma 101, frontline therapy, maintenance therapy, and the management of symptoms and side effects of myeloma and its treatments. SAVE MY SEAT.
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