The Global Myeloma Action Network (GMAN) Summit
A summary report from the 2022 GMAN annual meeting which took place in-person from May 20-22 in Milan, Italy.
Founded in 2013 by the International Myeloma Foundation, the Global Myeloma Action Network (GMAN) is a group of myeloma patient organizations from around the world who bring multiple myeloma advocacy leaders together and who share best practices to address mutual areas of concern of the global myeloma community.
GMAN’s global mission is to improve the lives of myeloma patients, raise myeloma awareness, enhance the capabilities of patient advocacy groups, build the capacity of local myeloma organizations, and increase worldwide access to medicine and treatment.
This year’s annual GMAN Summit was held in person from May 20-22, with over 30 representatives of international organizations from 30 countries serving the global myeloma community in attendance.
IMF Patient, President & CEO Yelak Biru opened the GMAN Annual Summit with a warm welcome and shared his goal of leading the IMF in its mission to improve lives and find a cure for myeloma using the model of Capacity Building, Awareness, and Improving Access.
Additionally, Yelak outlined the modern definition of resilience and the six domains that help advance the mission in finding a cure for myeloma—giving patients and their care partners a framework for optimal balance.
IMF Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Brian G.M. Durie spoke about the new era of myeloma therapy—a presentation that was eagerly anticipated and greatly appreciated.
Progress in myeloma research has truly been dramatic, made possible thanks to the commitment of individuals who have joined clinical trials and undergone experimental therapies to provide the data that supports expanding knowledge and understanding of myeloma.
Yelak expressed that myeloma patients are currently surviving far beyond expectations today because we stand on the shoulders of those who gave of themselves to make this possible.
At the closing of the summit, Yelak joined IMF Director of GMAN, Europe & Middle East Patient Programs Serdar Erdoğan in thanking the GMAN delegates for their engagement, collaboration, and passion for accomplishing GMAN’s collective mission.