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February 5, 2003 Myeloma Minute
2.5.03
Happy Valentine's Day
- A Valentine's Gift for Your Sweetheart and
the IMF
If you are looking for the perfect gift
for your very significant other and you live in
Southern California, IMFers Esther and Herman Adler,
of Adler & Company Jewelers in Los Angeles, will
make you a really sweet deal: Buy beautiful jewelry at
wholesale prices and—if you tell them you are an
IMFer—a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the
IMF. Call them at 213-624-1945 to make an
appointment.
- If you are not in the SoCal area and would
like to give a gift to the IMF when you give a gift to
your sweetie, remember that you can Shop
for the Cure. If you order your Valentines day
flowers using the following links, a portion of the
proceeds will be donated to the IMF.
Whether it's flowers or music or a foot spa,
you pay exactly the same prices as everyone else. And
you help the IMF. It's a win-win shopping
situation.
What's in the News
- Help Us Help You By Completing The IMF
Thalidomide Insurance Survey
The IMF has been
discussing thalidomide insurance reimbursement issues
and potential solutions with the FDA and Celgene. To
take the next step, we need to gather data from
patients who have taken thalidomide and/or who were
recommended thalidomide but subsequently did not take
the drug. Help us help you by completing this short
web-based survey at survey.myeloma.org.
All individual responses will be kept strictly
confidential.
What's New in Myeloma
Research:
Advocacy Update:
Quality of Life Update:
- Mind
over painful matters
A cancer support group
In Philadelphia combines yoga, meditation and art
therapy (from the Fort Worth Star Telegram)
If you are interested in joining a support group,
use the IMF's worldwide support group directory to find
one that meets near you. You can also join our online
support group.
If you have a topic of particular interest that
you would like us to feature, if you are starting a
support group, or if you are in a support group that is
doing something to make a real difference in the lives
of mutiple myeloma patients and their families and
friends, let us know.
Items of Interest:
- The National Cancer Institute, part of the
National Institutes of Health, is currently developing
educational materials for cancer patients & their
families. As part of this effort, they are
conducting a series of focus groups with the adult
partners of cancer survivors. Participants will take
part in one 90-minute telephone focus group and will
be paid for their time.
To make sure they are
reaching all people affected by cancer, they are still
looking for the following types of
individuals:
- African American, Latino, Asian American,
Pacific Islander or Native American men - age
21-55
- African American, Latina, Asian American,
Pacific Islander or Native American women - over
age 55
- All races & ethnicities, men - over age
55
If the following statements apply to you, they
are interested in speaking with you
further:
- Your spouse or partner is a cancer survivor.
- You have not personally received cancer
treatment in the last six months.
- You are not a physician, nurse or other
health professional.
Your opinion is important to them – and they
would value your input. If you are interested in
participating in this project, please call Larry Glade
at Blarry House Research (866-409-7953 toll free) or
e-mail him larryg@blarry.com
by January 30, 2003.
- Myeloma
Matrix
The Myeloma Matrix provides updated
information about drugs beginning with pre-clinical
developments and tracks drugs as they proceed through
Phases I – III of clinical trials, drugs that have
been FDA approved, and information on trials that are
being conducted by NCI- sponsored cooperative groups
as well as other myeloma study groups. The online
version is updated regularly. If you would like to
have a printed copy, call the toll-free hotline (800)
452-2873.
- NexCura
Cancer Profiler
The Cancer Profiler is a
free service (no hidden fees or charges). Its tools
provide you with information specific to your cancer
diagnosis to help you make more informed treatment
decisions along with your
physician.
- Expert
Opinions on Multiple Myeloma
A multimedia,
CME-accredited program for physicians with the chance
to see world-renowned myeloma specialists sharing
their knowledge, discussing treatment choices, and
comparing their perspectives on controversial issues
in multiple myeloma and related
diseases.
- MMInteractive
An
exciting new way for myeloma patients to get involved
at patient seminars.
- Bank
On A Cure™
The IMF is pleased to announce
the launch of Bank On A Cure™, a groundbreaking
international collaborative effort to establish a
method to find new treatments while customizing care
for current patients.
- Myeloma
At The Movies
It has been our goal to bring
our Patient & Family Seminars to people around the
country who might not be able to attend an actual
meeting, so we have set up a video lending library....
Important Dates to Remember:
- Update
2003: Cancer Research and Treatment
A free
public education program featuring cancer experts from
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia
Presbyterian Medical Center, the Cancer Institute of
New Jersey, Aventis Pharmaceuticals, and the National
Cancer Institute. Saturday, February 8, 2003, 9:00
AM-3:00 PM. Admission to the program, including
luncheon, is free with advanced registration and
tickets required. Register early, as seating is
limited.
- ASCO's People Living With Cancer (www.plwc.org) website
will host a live interactive chat with Robert L.
Comis, MD, President and Chairman of the Coalition
of National Cancer Cooperative Groups, Inc., on
Tuesday, February 18, 2003, from 2 - 3 PM ET. Dr.
Comis will answer questions about clinical trials and
address topics such as why clinical research is
important to patient care, how clinical trials are
conducted, and how to find clinical trials. Visit
their website for details.
- "Hair
Cares"
May 15, 2003
Curries Hair, Skin
& Nail Salon, Glen Mills, PA
- IXth
Annual International Workshop On Multiple
Myeloma
May 23-27, 2003
Salamanca,
Spain
Every two years, the myeloma scientific
community gathers from around the world to discuss the
state of the art in myeloma treatment and research.
This year they are meeting in the ancient and
beautiful city of Salamanca.
What's New in Clinical
Trials:
We have changed the format of this section to
better reflect the mission of the Myeloma Minute, namely
to bring you the latest information on pertinent topics.
So look to What's New in Clinical Trials in the Minute
to bring you news about the opening and closing of
trials.
If you would like to browse trials currently open
for enrollment, visit the Clinical
Trials page of the IMF web site. Among the links,
you will find CenterWatch
and EmergingMed.
The IMF has entered into partnerships with them to
assist you in matching trials to your particular patient
profile (i.e., stage of disease, previous treatment, how
well you are able to carry out the activities of daily
living, etc.) and by doing so, increase your chances of
being eligible. You can also learn more about clinical
trials by reviewing material from the National
Cancer Institute.
Exciting Opportunities:
Help Us Help
Others...
As a non-profit organization, the IMF is
completely dependent on the support of our members.
Please consider showing your support by making a
tax-deductible donation today. Donations in honor of a
friend or family member make great gifts and are a
wonderful way to celebrate a special occasion. You can donate
online or by calling the IMF at (800) 452-CURE. We
sincerely thank you for your
support.
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