March is Myeloma Action Month (MAM), and organizations around the world are participating to support patients, families, and caregivers who live with myeloma.
This year, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is inviting members of the myeloma community to demonstrate the spirit of #MoreThanMyeloma by sharing on social media how they are living with, and not for, myeloma.
“Myeloma Action Month is a powerful reminder that our community is defined by far more than a diagnosis. Through #MoreThanMyeloma, we celebrate the resilience, courage, and progress that continue to move us forward,” Heather Cooper Ortner, IMF president, said in a press release. The IMF is the world’s leading organization dedicated to multiple myeloma, with a mission of improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure.
Participants can create graphics, download the social media toolkit, and share their posts on social media using the hashtags #MoreThanMyeloma or #MyelomaActionMonth.
There’s also a patient action letter template that can be customized and sent to primary care clinics, encouraging providers to discuss potential signs and symptoms along with treatment options. A customizable press release template is available to inform local media outlets about MAM and the campaign.
For those interested in new merchandise, participants are encouraged to visit the IMF shop for shirts, hats, hoodies, and more.
Myeloma Action Month can be followed on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.
IMF hosting variety of MAM events
The IMF is hosting two Facebook Live Events where the myeloma community will hear expert insights on treatments, side effect management, and living well with myeloma, while getting their questions answered in real time.
- March 14 at 12 p.m. EST with IMF Chief Medical Officer Joseph Mikhael, MD, and Melissa Alsina, MD
- March 25, at 7 p.m. EST with IMF Scientific Advisory Board Member Sagar Lonial, MD
The foundation is also hosting several in-person and virtual patient meetings in March, as well as the Miracles for Myeloma 5K Run/Walk event in Los Angeles.
A free in-person Patient and Family Seminar is planned for March 13-14 at 12 p.m. EST at the Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center in Florida. Itwill cover such topics as treatments, emotional and physical well-being, and navigating the initial diagnosis and relapse.
The Miracles for Myeloma 5K Run/Walk will take place on March 21 at 8:30 a.m. PST at Griffith Park in Los Angeles. Participation supports critical research initiatives that lead to improved outcomes for myeloma patients.
A Myeloma Community Workshop will take place on March 28 at 8 a.m. CST in Kansas City, Missouri. The workshop is free, but in-person seating is limited.
On March 26, World Myeloma Day, landmarks worldwide will simultaneously light up in red to send a powerful message of hope, raise critical awareness, and honor the courage of those fighting multiple myeloma.
Blood Cancer United, Healthtree Foundation offering webinars
Blood Cancer United (BCU; formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) is also participating in MAM.
“The moment they’re diagnosed, people with blood cancer become patients. It’s the last thing they want to be. That’s why we’re here with research, support, and advocacy,” BCU states on its website.
BCU is hosting the webinar Key Insights: Treating Myeloma on March 11 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. It will feature Ajai Chari, MD, professor of clinical medicine, director of the multiple myeloma program, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.
The focus will be on topics such as balancing treatment while maintaining careers, finding strength through support groups, navigating healthcare disparities worldwide, and sharing diagnostic experiences with family members.
During Myeloma Awareness Month, donations to BCU will go even further. Thanks to a gift from GiveByCruising, every donation made by March 31 will be triple-matched, up to $250,000.
HealthTree Foundation is also hosting webinars with leading myeloma specialists focusing on cutting-edge research under the theme of innovation in research.
- March 6 at 3 p.m. EST, Innovations in Multiple Myeloma with Craig E. Cole, MD
- March 11 at 1 p.m. EDT, Integrative Oncology for Multiple Myeloma: Innovative Approaches to Whole-Person Care with Krisstina Gowin, MD
- March 26 at 2 p.m. EDT, Innovation in Our DNA: Family, Genetics & the Changing Story of Multiple Myeloma with Nia Imani Bailey, DPA
- March 31 at 3 p.m. EDT, Innovations in Whole-Genome Sequencing with Francois Aguet, PhD
In addition, HealthTree is offering “Gather Community” virtual events, unrecorded, live conversations designed for peer-to-peer support.
- March 2 at 2 p.m. EST, Newly Diagnosed Community & Conversation
- March 5 at 4 p.m. EST, Navigating Life with High-Risk Myeloma
- March 10 at 2 p.m. EST, Navigating Life with Smoldering Myeloma
HealthTree is also hosting a full-day, in-person Myeloma Roundtable on March 7 at 8 a.m. CST at the Hutton Hotel Downtown in Nashville, Tennessee. It features expert speakers and breakout sessions for patients. Registration is $25 at the event. Recordings of the event will also be available.
The foundation is encouraging patients to connect their medical records to power research, discover treatment options and clinical trials, and invite another patient to join the community.
Events being held around the world
The Tisch Cancer Center at Mount Sinai in New York is recognizing MAM with an art and tabling event, as well as support group education throughout the month.
Myeloma Canada is participating in MAM and encourages people to help light the world red by wearing red, printing out the “Make Myeloma Matter in (your city)” sign, and posting it to spread awareness.
Myeloma Australia is presenting online seminars to help improve awareness of the blood disease. The series focuses on targeted treatment and individualized supportive care.
Multiple myeloma affects almost two out of every 100,000 people each year, accounting for about 1.8% of all new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. each year and around 10% of all blood cancers combined.
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