Myeloma Minute: Volunteering, Giving, and Trailblazing

What Is Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells. It is synonymous with "myeloma" and "plasma cell myeloma." Plasma cells make antibodies against infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria. A cancerous or malignant plasma cell is called a myeloma cell. Myeloma is called “multiple” because there are frequently multiple patches or areas in bone marrow where it grows.

\| INSPIRATION \| Community Inspired Volunteer Trailblazers — Malcolm Katz and Sally Weber Today, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) — Greater San Fernando Valley Chapter — commemorates National Philanthropy Day®. On this day, the AFP recognizes and pays tribute to the contributions that philanthropy — and philanthropists — have made to the community in the San Fernando Valley and our nation. Amongst the recipients of this recognition are International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) support group co-facilitators, volunteers, and fundraisers Malcolm Katz and Sally Weber. For Malcolm and Sally, building and sustaining community has been a cornerstone of their work, as professionals and now as volunteers. Read about how this couple affected by multiple myeloma gives back to the myeloma community.
\| ACTION \| Easy Ways to Give	\| ACTION \| Fundraising
You Shop. Amazon Gives.	Mark Your Calendar for #GivingTuesday
Make your holiday purchases with a purpose this year. When you shop at smile.amazon.com and select the International Myeloma Foundation as your charity, Amazon donates a portion of your purchase to the IMF, at no added cost to you. It’s a win-win!	Since its founding in 2012, #GivingTuesday has inspired giving around the world, resulting in greater donations, volunteer hours, and activities that bring about real change in communities. Each year, the International Myeloma Foundation participates in this global day of giving. We encourage you to donate on or before November 27, 2018, to help bring us closer to a cure for multiple myeloma.

\| INSPIRATION \| New Beginnings Anne Pacowta, IMF’s Director of Florida Support Groups, Retires As of this week, Anne Pacowta, the IMF’s valued Director of Florida Support Groups, will retire. After Anne’s husband Jack was diagnosed with myeloma, the couple joined a support group in Connecticut, but later relocated to an area of Florida where they found themselves without that source of education, friendship, and community. In 2007, Anne and Jack founded the North Florida Multiple Myeloma Support Group. After Jack lost his battle with myeloma in 2008, Anne continued to keep his legacy alive with group co-leaders, Hunter and Dianna Chiles. The IMF thanks Anne for her dedication and years of service to the myeloma community. Though they will not be small shoes to fill, we welcome our IMF staff member Kelley Sidorowicz to the Support Group Team. Find out about our entire support group team and meetings in your area at the link below.
\| #ASKDRDURIE \| Dr. Durie's Weekly Web Video Series
CLINICAL TRIALS	EVENTS
BOSTON Trial Fact Sheet New isatuximab Clinical Trial: the IMROZ Study New isatuximab Clinical Trial: the IKEMA Study New ixazomib Clinical Trials: Learn How to Participate Join the conversation about myeloma on the Smart Patients Message Board	Ongoing Nancy's Passion for Patients Nationwide Listen to a Replay Clinical Trials in Myeloma Pre-recorded Teleconference Bid Now Charity Buzz Nationwide Ongoing Fundraiser Moseman’s 50th Anniversary Nationwide March 15-16, 2019 IMF Patient & Family Seminar Boca Raton, FL