News Article
Cambridge, Mass. and Osaka, Japan, August 8, 2016 – Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) today announced Takeda Canada has received approval from Health Canada for NINLARO™ (ixazomib) capsules in combination…
Audio
As a nurse, Judith Towse noticed that her serum protein levels were elevated in two labs taken during routine exams. Judith brought this up with her physician. Then she was sent to a hematologist/oncologist who diagnosed Judith with multiple myeloma in December 2009. Since that time, she has…
Audio
For months, Becky Richards experienced a backache. After a number of trips to doctors, she was finally diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Becky has had three stem cell transplants and was part of the Total Therapy II protocol in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1999. Despite knowing about myeloma statistics…
Audio
While being treated for breast cancer in 2008, Marianne Rode was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She has completed a Rev/dex combination with Zometa as well. During this time, Marianne and her husband Oscar found the IMF to be an indispensable resource for learning about Marianne’s disease. Today…
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David Ragsdale was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in November 2009. At the time of his diagnosis, David was experiencing kidney failure. He underwent a bone marrow transplant in April 2010. Today, David and his wife Wilma are active with the IMF and recently organized a fundraiser for the…
Audio
After injuring her clavicle on December 31, 2014, Sally McCullough visited her internist and soon underwent a number of tests that led to her myeloma diagnosis. Soon, Sally connected to the IMF by attending a Support Group that was about an hour’s drive from her home.
Audio
As a teacher, Ronnie Maynard kept experiencing ongoing colds and infections. Eventually, after a doctor’s visit, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in June 2000. In 2001, Ronnie traveled to Philadelphia to stay with her mother while she underwent a stem cell transplant. At this time, both…
Audio
After Maxine wrenched her back, she went for a number of doctors’ visits, and was finally directed to get a bone marrow biopsy. As a result, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Having worked in oncology medical records, Maxine was shocked because this was a disease she’d never heard of.…
Audio
Brenda Johns was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on her 50th birthday. As she and her husband commented, the news was very sobering and brought them closer together. After undergoing combination drug therapy and a stem cell transplant, Brenda experienced a remission. In 2015, the doctors noted that…
News Article
The Susie Novis Durie Educational Grants, created to help member organizations of the IMF’s Global Myeloma Action Network (GMAN) increase education, awareness, and access to treatment, were given to three nonprofits groups at the GMAN summit in Copenhagen. Recipients are: Mijelom CRO in Croatia,…
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Diagnosed with myeloma in February 2009 at the age of 47, Arlene Preisendorf recalls contacting Support Group Leader Dr. Jim Omel just a few days later. She shares how Jim connected with her and her husband by talking about his own experience with the disease, and also providing them with breadth…
Audio
Janet Kerrigan recalls that “2011 was going to be great year.” Her youngest daughter was getting married, and 126 family and friends were attending the wedding. Shortly after that, Janet’s family rescued a dog from a shelter. And then a couple weeks later, Janet felt a sharp pain in her chest while…
News Article
North Hollywood, California, July 27, 2016 -- The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) – the oldest and largest organization dedicated to improving the lives of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure – says researchers have now established the scientific…
Videos
Dr. Shaji Kumar of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, discusses the exciting new Black Swan Research Initiative® clinical trial: ASCENT, which stands for Aggressive Smoldering Cure Evaluating Novel Rx Transplant.
In the ASCENT trial (which will begin enrolling patients later this year),…
Videos
In this video, Dr. Sigurdur Kristinsson of the University of Iceland describes the exciting new Black Swan Research Initiative® study, iStopMM (Iceland Screens, Treats, or Prevents Multiple Myeloma). As part of the iStopMM study, 140,000 Icelanders over the age of 40 will have their blood samples…
News Article
IMF Launches Groundbreaking Large-Scale Screening to Prevent Myeloma
In April, the International Myeloma Foundation proudly announced that the organization is the major funder of the world’s first large-scale screening study aimed at preventing myeloma before it develops.
The study, iStopMM (…
News Article
Pembrolizumab
At the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) there was a lot of excitement about one drug (already FDA-approved with the brand name Keytruda® for melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer) that is a new type of monoclonal antibody against a…
Videos
In this week's video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses how fear may lead to imagined symptoms of myeloma.
Bottom Line:
Successful treatment will drive away symptoms that exist only in your mind.
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie answers questions about high-risk multiple myeloma.
BOTTOM LINE:
Over time, different myeloma patterns emerge.
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie answers a question about whether a patient should undergo a bone marrow biopsy, even if treatment is not recommended at the time.
Bottom Line:
If you are unsure about diagnosis, treatment, or testing, consult an expert.
Videos
In this week’s Ask Dr. Durie, Dr. Brian Durie discusses how to learn about your own risk factors for secondary cancers when undergoing MM treatment.
The BOTTOM LINE:
Know your own risk factors and discuss the pros and cons with your doctor.
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian Durie provides insight on how to assess response to various myeloma treatments.
BOTTOM LINE:
By checking M-protein levels after each cycle of treatment, we can assess the true benefits of each therapy.
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie explains that patients should keep a close eye on their platelet counts after undergoing a stem cell transplant.
The BOTTOM LINE:
If platelet counts drop too low, therapy adjustments should be considered.
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie explains the meaning of the term “risk,” as it relates to myeloma.
BOTTOM LINE:
The use of the word “risk” in myeloma staging can be confusing.
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses how to safely use the bisphosphonate Zometa to control myeloma bone disease.BOTTOM LINE: Discontinue Zometa after two years unless bone disease is a major concern.Dr. Brian G.M. Durie serves as Chairman of the International Myeloma…
Videos
In this week’s video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie unveils a new BSRI project which studies genetic factors (though there are few) that are linked to myeloma.
BOTTOM LINE:
If we identify genetic factors in MM, we can refine treatments accordingly.
Videos
click on the image above to watch the teleconference
(to view the teleconference in fullscreen, click on the bottom right square icon beside the YouTube logo)
The IMF’s ”Living Well with Myeloma” quarterly teleconference series is designed to cover all the…
Videos
On May 26, 2016, the International Myeloma Foundation’s Senior Director of Support Groups and spouse of Michael Tuohy, a sixteen-year myeloma survivor, testified at the Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council’s Public Meeting (CEPAC) on Treatment Options for Relapsed and Refractory…
News Article
Thank you for this opportunity to share with you our story and concerns. My purpose today is to help you better understand myeloma, patient and caregiver concerns/stories, and why we are asking you to “walk in our shoes” regarding the report on myeloma treatment options prepared by the Institute…
News Article
Thank you first of all for hearing the public testimony today. My husband Michael Tuohy is a sixteen-year myeloma survivor, and that’s makes me part of this process. As Senior Director of Support Groups for the International Myeloma Foundation, I’m in touch with over 140 myeloma support groups…
Videos
In this video, Dr. Brian Durie discusses how to treat myeloma, even if the myeloma protein level is zero.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Additional treatment at low levels of myeloma does have benefit.
News Article
North Hollywood, CA, June 2, 2016 – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) – improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure – will host the 7th Annual International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Summit June 7-9 in…
Audio
Yvonne was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2005 at the age of 50. Her passion is surrounding herself with family and friends, including six grandchildren, who are her heart and soul. Yvonne also enjoys cooking, gardening, wine, and travel. She is thankful every day for all of God’s blessings…
News Article
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., March 3, 2016 – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) – improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure – is pleased to announce Takeda Oncology’s initiative this month to raise funds for IMF myeloma…
Videos
In this week's video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses how to develop a strong communicative relationship with your doctor.
Bottom line: Make sure you find a doctor with a communication style that suits your needs.
News Article
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., February 18, 2016– The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) –improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure – is reaching out to primary care doctors, lawmakers and patients to raise awareness of the…
Videos
In this week's video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie discusses the pros and cons of an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).
Bottom line:
It is rare to become worse after ASCT, and its likely benefits need to be evaluated on a long-term basis.
News Article
The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) awarded its 2016 Brian D. Novis Research Grants in a ceremony December 5, 2015 at the 57th annual meeting of the American Society…
Videos
In this week's video, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie helps make sense of the numbers and statistics in relation with your myeloma diagnosis and treatment.
Bottom Line:
The IMF will be a resource to help educate patients about statistics
Audio
Justine Nackman
Boca Raton, FL
Justine retired in 1995 and has kept busy with several social clubs, a book discussion group, and visiting some of South Florida's natural beauty areas. She has lived in Florida for 20 years, moving to Boca Raton after her husband's death in 2010. Prior to that,…
Audio
In Memoriam
Bill and Jenny Hack Palm Coast, FL
In this Myeloma Voices story, we pay tribute to the memory of Jenny Hack, who passed of multiple myeloma in February 2020. Jenny was a committed member of the IMF Support Group community, and led a very active life as a mother,…
Audio
Michael Tuohy was diagnosed with myeloma in 2000 while in his mid-30s. He and his wife, Robin, who is Senior Director of Support Groups for the International Myeloma Foundation, immediately worried about how this would affect their children, who were 2 and 7 at the time. “Michael has not only…
Audio
Terry and Kathleen Nairn
Hobe Sound, FL
In 2008, Kathleen Nairn was diagnosed with myeloma while in the emergency room with pneumonia following knee replacement surgery. She and her devoted husband Terry have five children and nine grandchildren—all of whom live nearby—and live an active life…
Videos
In this week's video, IMF Chairman of the Board Dr. Brian G.M. Durie answers the question, "If myeloma is diagnosed, is it okay to start with a holistic type of approach first?
Videos
In this episode of #AskDrDurie, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie of the IMF answers a myeloma patient’s question about taking a supplement like vitamin B12 on the same day as Velcade.
Videos
Inspired by last week's #AskDrDurie episode in which Dr. Brian G.M. Durie of the IMF explained the definition of remission when it comes to myeloma patients, this new episode is a follow-up. Here, Dr. Durie explains why a myeloma patient might experience a short remission period, even if high-risk…
Videos
In this week's episode of #AskDrDurie, Dr. Brian G.M. Durie of the IMF answers a patient's question regarding stem cells. If they are harvested in a specific facility, can they be moved and stored elsewhere later?
Find out the answer in this video!
Videos
In this week's #AskDrDurie, the IMF's Dr. Brian G.M. Durie answers a patient's concern regarding myeloma treatment and heart damage—specifically when it comes to the drug Cytoxan.
Videos
click on the image above to watch the teleconference
(to view the teleconference in fullscreen, click on the bottom right square icon beside the YouTube logo)
Stopping to Breathe While Moving Forward!
The benefits of rest, relaxation, exercise, and nutrition
for long -erm…