Steps to a Cure 2024
Steps to a Cure!
We are currently just short of two months away from this year’s Multiple Myeloma Walk. Plans are well underway. The walk is scheduled for Sunday, September 22nd at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre at Britannia Park. Myeloma Canada’s website is open for on-line registrations for teams and individuals.
The site can be accessed through: MYELOMAMARCH.CA or at STEPSTOACURE.CA .
This is the 16th year that Myeloma Canada has sponsored the walks across the country. Funds raised through the walks support the pursuit of curing and preventing the multiple myeloma, accelerating access to the best care, and empowering and improving the lives of all Canadians affected by myeloma.
This will be a fun event for families, caregivers, and friends. We look forward to seeing you all there. Please mark your calendars and join us for what promises to be a fun afternoon.
Let’s make this an event to remember!
W
Just a reminder that we have booked the Britannia Park Gazebo on Wednesday, on June 26th for an in-person outdoor meeting from 1:30 to 4PM. Last year’s event was a great success! For those who are comfortable with attending, this is a chance to get together (actually meet each other!) and share our stories and experiences. And of course lots of laughter!
There are tables and benches in the gazebo, but you may want to bring your own chairs, snacks and drinks.
To get to Britannia Park Gazebo, go north on Pinecrest Road, straight across Carling Avenue onto Greenview Road towards the Ron Kobus Center. Just passed the Tennis Club dome (on the left), turn right to the parking lot (before Ron Kolbus). The Gazebo is near the end of the parking lot on the right.
Hope you can join us.
Jean and Robin
For more information on the Ottawa – Gatineau Community Network please contact:
Jean Shepherd at 613 277 4886; jean.shepherd@rogers.com or
April 3 Meeting
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday April 3rd at 7pm.
Dr. Cipkar from our Ottawa Hospital medical team
will talk about new developments in myeloma research and treatments both at The Ottawa General Hospital and nationally.
For more information this meeting of the Ottawa –Gatineau Community Network please contact:
Jean Shepherd at 613 277 4886; jean.shepherd@rogers.com or
Robin Sully at 613 622 5461; maplecrest2553@xplornet.ca
Myeloma Canada
find Myeloma Canada documents
that give you a map for myeloma treatment.
March 6 Meeting On Mindfulness
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday March 6th at 7pm. We will be joined by Tony Murdock from Wellspring who will present on
How mindfulness can help patients and care-partners
We would also like to remind you that March is Myeloma Awareness Month You may have received something from Myeloma Canada on how you participate in raising awareness.
We are already planning for this year’s Walk on September 22nd! Frank and Glenn are looking for volunteers to help with the event.
For those who registered for the February meeting, the same zoom link should work.
Patient participation in their care
Our first meeting of 2024 will be on Wednesday February 7th.
We will be joined by Chantel Wicks (Ontario Regional Community Engagement and Development Manager from Myeloma Canada) will present on patients participation in their care.
For more information on the Ottawa –Gatineau Community Network please contact:
Jean Shepherd at 613 277 4886; jean.shepherd@rogers.com or
Robin Sully at 613 622 5461; maplecrest2553@xplornet.ca
one myeloma journey
Casey Comeau,
singer,
songwriter,
myeloma survivor.
Video created 2012.
Still standing.
Watch and be inspired.
What a year!
The Ottawa Gatineau Myeloma Community Network had an active 2023 with several significant events including the following:
We held 9 virtual Network Zoom meetings. The last one in December was attended by ~ 45 people. A record! David McMullen, a patient currently on Car-T therapy, was the presenter. (David just provided us with a copy of his slides – please reply if you would like to receive them; he also mentioned there should be a video of a similar presentation he gave, posted on the Myeloma Canada web site in the near future.)
We had an in-person social meeting in June at Andrew Haydon Park.
March was Myeloma Awareness Month and a number of us attended a declaration ceremony hosted by Mayor Sutcliffe at City Hall dedicating March as Myeloma Month in Ottawa.
Steps to a Cure Myeloma Walk in cooperation with the Ottawa Hospital Foundation
Our Network also participated in several advocacy events in support of myeloma and Myeloma Canada activities including:
The Ontario Advocacy Committee
The Patient Advisory Committee which brings the patient voice to the Myeloma Canada Board;
The Scientific Round Table
In October we participated in a Legislative Action Day at Queens Park involving a number of meetings with Ontario MPPs and their assistants; our message was a request for more investment in research to benefit Myeloma (and other) cancer patients.
Next year promises to be equally exciting!
Details of upcoming meetings and some of the other events are given below. We look forward to you joining us.
2023 Ottawa-Gatineau Steps to a Cure Walk.
This was a very successful event with more people feeling comfortable enough to come out to the event in person. Dr. Cipra gave an opening address as well as representatives from Myeloma Canada and the Ottawa Hospital. We raised $56,000 which helps funds research towards new treatments and is split between the Ottawa Hospital and Myeloma Canada. A huge thank you to all who participated in this important event. Some photos from the walk are attached.
We have already booked the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Center for our 2024 walk, which will take place on September 22nd. So mark it on your calendar! Frank and Glenn are looking for volunteers to help promote and organize the walk, so let us know if you are interested.
2024 Spring Meeting Schedule
For those who are new, the Ottawa-Gatineau Multiple Myeloma Community Network invites Myeloma patients, family, caregivers and friends to our 2024 spring monthly information and sharing meetings. The mission of the Community Network is to provide hope and to empower Myeloma patients, family, caregivers and friends through education, advocacy, patient care and support and sharing experiences. The meetings will start at 7:00PM and last an hour and a half. Zoom details to join the meetings will be provided prior to each session. We look forward to “seeing” you!
Wednesday February 7th We will be joined by Chantel Wicks (Ontario Regional Community Engagement and Development Manager from Myeloma Canada) will present on patients participation in their care.
Wednesday March 6th Wellspring will present on How mindfullness can help patients and care-partners
Success! $785,000 raised!
Myeloma Ottawa Gatineau 