Year-end update from Robin and Jean

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The Support Group has had a successful year with 9 meetings attended by on average 25-35 people, both patients and caregivers.

We had presentations from Aldo Del Col, Co-Founder and Chairman of Multiple Myeloma Canada in April, as well as both Dr. McCurdy and Dr. Kew in the Fall and Spring.

We want to give a huge “thank you” to Bev and Paul and Rosemary for organizing and providing the refreshments each month, it’s a great social opportunity and they do a wonderful job.

Robin and Jean are already thinking about the next sessions and would love your feedback on what to focus on, as well as what worked or didn’t work.

Possible topics not yet covered include pain management, funding drug access, what support is available at later stages and how to access it, and support for caregivers.  Should we revisit any of the topics we covered in this year’s sessions?

Please give Robin and Jean feedback as these are your meetings, and we want to meet the group’s needs.

We look forward to seeing you all at our first meeting which will be Tuesday, September 12th at 6:45 at the Maplesoft Centre.  

Then we only have 2 weeks until the Myeloma Walk on Sunday September 24th so let’s have a great event and raise at least the $75,000 goal!

ANNUAL MYELOMA FUNDRAISER!

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The annual Ottawa- Gatineau Myeloma Walk is scheduled this year for Sunday September 24th at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre at Britannia Beach. Each year the Walk brings the Myeloma community together to create awareness of the disease and raise money to support research and improve patient care.

 

Our fundraising goal this year is $75,000.

With your help we can do it!

Pull a team together of family and friends and register for the Walk or simply make a contribution. It all counts!

IF just 250 patients of the 1000 that are currently being actively treated in Ottawa Gatineau individually contributed $300 we would reach our goal! We are hoping if people cannot join in the walk or organize a team they will consider making a donation

To register or donate go to the Ottawa-Gatineau Myeloma Walk site:

 http://www.stepstoacure.ca / http://www.despaspourlacure.ca

 

Half the funds will support the work of Myeloma Canada’s National Research Network and half will go to support myeloma research initiatives at The Ottawa Hospital. All in the interest of improving patient care and ultimately finding a cure!

 

Check-in for the event begins at 12:00PM and the Walk at 1:00 PM. There will be music, draws and goodies. The Walkers have a choice of a beautiful 5 km loop along the river or a scenic and historic 1 km route to the end of the pier or simply enjoying the festivities with friends in the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre.

 

We are looking for contributions to the silent auction and draws! We are also looking for volunteers…and donations of course.

Please feel free to contact anyone on our organizing committee for further information: David Rideout, Committee Chair, rideoutda@me.com

Myeloma Apps

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  • Patient and Family Guide Autologous Peripheral Stem Cell Transplant

This is an Ottawa Hospital App. Find it at the app store by searching “Ottawa APSCT”.

  • Multiple Myeloma Resource Centre – brought to you by Celgene

To download the app on your iPhone or iPad, click here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/multiple-myeloma-resource-center/id703049785

 

To download the app on your Android tablet or device, click here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.multiplemyelomarscctr

 

Community Support Services

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Navigating the services for myeloma patients is very challenging and better done with the help of a social worker.

To access the services of a social worker,

the Patient & Family Support (Psychosocial Oncology) Program is available by calling

613-737-8899 ext. 70516 General Campus

or

 (613) 737-7700 ext. 25200  Queensway Carleton Hospital Campus

“Our Services

You can come to us for a variety of supports, such as:

  • Counselling
  • Emotional support
  • Practical assistance like (loss of income, etc…)
  • Nutritional assessment and counselling
  • Physical Rehabilitation
  • Support group and/or education sessions”

 

Support Group Barbecue – You’re invited!

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Mark your calendar!
You are invited to a barbecue at Antek and Robin’s farm on Sunday June 24th!
The address is 2553 Galetta Side Road, Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa.
Bring a salad, a desert or appetizer; whatever you would like to drink; and a lawn chair.
We’ll provide the rest (including hopefully sunshine!)! 
Come around 5:00 PM. We had great fun last year and hope you can join us!
 
Please RSVP by June 16th. Let us know if you need a ride.
 
 
For more information on the Ottawa–Gatineau Support Group please contact:
Robin Sully, telephone: 613 622 5461 or email: maplecrest2553@explornet.ca
or
Jean Shepherd, 613-277-4886 or email: jean.shepherd@rogers.com

Myeloma Research Fundraiser!

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Myeloma Funderaiser Champion, Anne Murphy. 

anne-murphy.jpg

 

See her page at              https://endurance.themmrf.org/IMLP703/ironannie

Below, a message from her:

Dear Friends,

I will be participating in the 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 Lake Placid on September 10, 2017 as part of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Team For Cures.

I am participating in honour of my good friend Irene Podgorski (in photo above with her husband and 4 beautiful grandchildren). Irene has been living with Multiple Myeloma for an outstanding 8 years!

Multiple myeloma is the second most common form of blood cancer and, sadly, has one of the lowest five-year relative survival rates of all cancers. But while there is no cure, great progress is being made.

In fact, thanks to the important work of the MMRF, the world’s leading private funder of myeloma research, the FDA has approved TEN new treatments, including FOUR in just the past 18 months – a track record that’s unparalleled in the world of oncology. These drugs have almost tripled the lifespan of myeloma patients.

The MMRF is one of the most highly regarded cancer foundations in the world. An outstanding 90% of the total MMRF budget goes directly towards research and related programming.

CANADIAN DONORS: Please be aware that your donation will be processed in US currency. Unfortunately, you won’t get a tax receipt…however, your donations will help fund research that spans across borders. For example, the latest treatments available to Canadians were developed by doctors at the Mayo Clinic, one of whom now works at the Ottawa Hospital.

Please support my participation in the 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 Lake Placid benefiting the MMRF. I have made a commitment to raise at least $2,500 US, and I need your help to get there.Please contribute whatever you can. It all adds up!

Sincere thanks!

Anne