COVID-19 Advisory
As the COVID-19 respiratory virus spreads around the world, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) continues to be here for you. The IMF takes the health and safety of myeloma patients seriously. To contain the spread of the virus, we recommend cancelling in-person support group meetings.
The IMF has offered to support group leaders the technology and instruction to host virtual meetings using GoToMeeting. Please contact your support group leader for specific details regarding your meeting.
For additional updates on COVID-19 coronavirus, please click this link: Myeloma Patient Safety and the Coronavirus.
Find a Local Group
The Central MN Multiple Myeloma Support Group , founded in September, 2017, meets on the 2nd Saturday of every month from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Wilmar Fire Department, Training Room, 515 2nd Street SW Willmar, MN 56201.
For more information Please contact Bev and Tony Hartzburg at 320-894-8101 or Steve and Sheila Ellingboe at 320-295-3940 or Jesse and Carrie Wadsworth at 320-364-2222 or by the group’s E-mail at [email protected].
Visit the group’s website at centralmn.support.myeloma.org.
The Fairmont MN Area Multiple Myeloma Support Group, founded in November 2012, meets on the 4th Saturday of every other month (beginning in February) from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Mayo Clinic Health Systems – Hospital- Fairmont, 800 Medical Center Drive, Fairmont, MN.
For more information, please contact Joyce Shultz at 507-230-0207 or by e-mail at [email protected]; or Kristi Vanasse at 501-399-3810.
Visit the group website at http://fairmont.support.myeloma.org.
The Multiple Myeloma Sharing Sessions, founded in June 2006, meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the Gift of Life Transplant House, 705 2nd St. SW (North Side), Rochester, MN.
For more information, please contact Teresa Miceli at [email protected].
Visit the group website http://Rochester.support.myeloma.org.
This group, founded in September 2004, meets most 2nd Wednesdays of the month from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at the Family Means Center, 1875 Northwestern Avenue, Stillwater, MN, in the Large Conference Room.
For exact dates and details, please contact Barbara Davis at 651-486-9360
The group E-mail is [email protected].
Visit the group website. at http://stillwater.support.myeloma.org
Twin Cities Education and Networking Group, founded in July, 1996, meets the 2nd Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, 6500 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416. Meetings are held in Heart & Vascular Center conference room B&C.
For more information contact Viki Kimsal, Pat Harwood or Kevin Veenstra at [email protected].
Visit the group website at http://twincities.support.myeloma.org/


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.


Kelly Cox spearheads IMF’s Regional Community Workshops, events that bring the most cutting-edge research and top multiple myeloma doctors to patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers across the country. Kelly also works closely with 40 support groups nationwide, carrying the IMF’s mission directly to those affected by multple myeloma. Kelly brings enthusiasm and energy to multiple myeloma awareness and outreach wherever he travels for personal visits, as well as via phone calls and emails.
Kelly worked for Warner Bros. International Television for three years prior to arriving at the IMF. He specialized in marketing, product management, and international placement for shows such as “Friends,” “E.R.” and “Smallville,” among others. Prior to this Kelly was involved with fundraising for specialized research into diseases of the retina, including macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.


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 Regional Director of Support Groups.


Jon Fitzpatrick worked with the IMF for several years as a volunteer before joining our team as the Support Group Coordinator. He is excited to turn his passion for helping others into a career. Jon’s interest in working closely with multiple myeloma patients and caregivers was sparked as a result of his experience in the field of emergency response.


Kelley Sidorowicz joined the IMF’s Support Group team in 2019 after previously being part of the Advocacy team since 2016, working on federal and state policy issues as well as helping the IMF to grow our grassroots network. Previously, she worked in the health and wellness community as a certified health and wellness educator, personal trainer, and yoga instructor. Kelley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from Frostburg State University. She resides in Southern Maryland.

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 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.
Contact the InfoLine
We have the most cutting-edge and up-to-date information about navigating the multiple myeloma world.