Shared Experiences Help To Better Understand the Myeloma Journey
Support groups empower patients and care partners with information, insight, and hope. The IMF provides educational guidance to a network of over 150 myeloma-specific groups. We are happy to connect you with other survivors and care partners, through an existing support group or by forming a new one.
Find a Local Group
The IMF can help you start one. Contact IMF Vice President of Support Groups Robin Tuohy at [email protected] or 203-206-3536.
Robin Tuohy worked as a paralegal for over 10 years at a Fortune 500 company before marrying Michael, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2000, and having children Ally and Mikey. She became involved with the IMF and attended Advocacy Days in Washington, DC, in 2001, and then began the first support group for multiple myeloma patients in Connecticut with the help of the IMF. She feels her experience as Michael's caregiver gives her a unique perspective on multiple myeloma. The Tuohy family carried their message of life after diagnosis across the country in 2007 on the Myeloma Mobile. Robin's motto is "The purpose of life is a life of purpose," and she hopes that she is able to help others dealing with multiple myeloma.
Nancy Bruno has been active in Support Groups since shortly after her husband Mike was diagnosed with mulitple myeloma in late 1998. What began as comprehensive note-taking during support group meetings led to her becoming a writer for the group’s newsletter. When Andy Lebkuecher’s wife, Cathy, died in December 2006, Andy asked Nancy to lead their local Atlanta group temporarily, "and I haven’t stopped." Her energy and commitment will continue as Director, Support Groups.
Becky has been an Oncology RN since 2006, including professional roles as an inpatient bedside nurse, healthcare informatics, as well as Transplant Nurse Coordinator, navigating Myeloma patients through the Transplant process. She has facilitated a Myeloma Support Group as a volunteer since 2018 and has been involved with the IMF for several years, attending ASH and SGLS several times. Her professional role at the IMF includes educationally supporting 50 Support Groups across the US. She is passionate about her daily work with Myeloma patients and care partners and feels blessed to be a part of a team at the IMF that is just as passionate.
Becky lives in Pennsylvania with her large, blended family and values her quality time with them, including being actively involved in their children’s soccer, baseball, softball, theatre, band, and chorus activities.
Cecilia joined the IMF in April 2023 as a member of the Support Group team. She brings more than 10 years of experience in project management and is passionate about keeping projects, programs and initiatives running smoothly through effective processes and procedures. Her prior positions have been in higher education with a focus on improving the health and wellbeing in the communities we serve. She is excited to join such a passionate team focused on improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure.
She holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Arizona State University and resides in Phoenix, Arizona.
Support groups bring together myeloma patients, caregivers, family members & friends. Patients involved in a support group experience more positive outcomes due to their understanding of treatment options and enables them to have key conversations with their healthcare team.
The IMF hosts over 100 myeloma support group leaders at the annual Support Group Leaders Summit. This gathering inspires, informs, and empowers both experienced and novice support group leaders to gain a fresh perspective on all that they do for their local myeloma communities.
The IMF Summit provides educational opportunities that include updates on the latest myeloma research; advocacy issues that impact patients; technology tools; social media outreach; resilience for patients and care partners; along with other vital topics.
Each year the International Myeloma Foundation brings support group leaders from across the nation to attend the annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting. Together, they learn about the latest research in myeloma, offer their perspective as patients and care partners, and relay the latest findings to their support group members back home.
In the Mind, Body, and Wellness section of myeloma.org, you will find accessible and inclusive wellness resources for myeloma patients and caregivers. Here, members of the myeloma community find support and empowerment through education, community, and the practice of self-care.
The International Myeloma Foundation has joined forces with Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute’s Disparities & Outreach program to empower people in the Charlotte, North Carolina area to help change the course of myeloma. M-Power Charlotte is dedicated to removing barriers to care and improving outcomes in the disease.
Smart Patients is an online community where patients and caregivers affected by complex illness learn from each other about treatments, challenges, and how it all fits into the context of their experience.
Two-day educational patient, family, and caregiver support in your hometown.
These one-day workshops offer families a condensed version of the full Patient & Family Seminar at no charge.
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