Global Outreach

The Global Myeloma Action Network met in person at the American Society of Hematology annual conference in December 2019.

GLOBAL MYELOMA ACTION NETWORK

The IMF’s Global Myeloma Action Network (GMAN) brings together advocacy leaders in multiple myeloma and blood cancers to improve the lives of patients around the world. In fiscal year 2020, GMAN held a member meeting during the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual congress. The countries and regions of Australia, Canada, Latin America, Turkey, and the U.S. as well as GMAN’s industry partners were in attendance. GMAN members gained knowledge about the latest advances in myeloma and engaged with disease experts. Of note, Myeloma Australia presented on tracking of data of newly diagnosed patients. Also, the Czech Republic, Croatia, and Norway reported on best practices for different projects.

Mimi Choon-Quinones (IMF Senior Vice President, Global Advocacy, Access, Policy, & Research) emphasized the importance of clinical trials and of the support industry partners provide to global myeloma communities. In closing, the GMAN team shared a salute to the late Aldo Del Col, the cofounder of Myeloma Canada, IMF Board Member, and GMAN Member.

In February 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic, IMF President and CEO Susie Durie and IMF Chairman of the Board Dr. Brian G.M. Durie visited Turkey and participated in the 13th New Trends in Hematology Congress in Istanbul. Dr. Durie presented a lecture at Koç University Hospital discussing minimal residual disease (MRD, the small numbers of malignant cells that remain in a person after treatment), ongoing “Cure” trials by the IMF, and new potential therapies.

In March of 2020, along with most of the world, countries of Europe established social distancing measures due to the pandemic. IMF activities in Europe were rescheduled as virtual events in 2020. Also Dr. Durie’s informative blog articles and “Ask Dr. Durie” videos discussing COVID-19 were translated into Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Russian. The annual GMAN Summit was held virtually from September 23–24, 2020. Forty advocates from 5 continents and 31 countries attended. This year’s theme was “Myeloma More on Digital.” IMF’s Director of GMAN and of European & Middle Eastern Patient Programs, Serdar Erdogan, summarized IMF and GMAN’s digital events.

• Dr. Brian G.M. Durie (IMF Chairman of the Board) updated the attendees about the IMF’s Black Swan Research Initiative® and future myeloma therapies beyond 2020. He also discussed

COVID-19 safety for myeloma patients. • Susie Durie (IMF President and CEO) and Robin Tuohy (IMF

Vice President, Support Groups) shared their experiences for caregivers, focusing on the difficulties of the pandemic. • Dr. Joseph Mikhael (IMF Chief Medical Officer) provided updates from virtual ASCO and EHA summaries. • Mimi Choon-Quinones (IMF Senior Vice President, Global

Advocacy, Access, Policy & Research) presented a five-year plan for the Beyond Medicines’ Barriers Program with a goal of improving global access to care. • GMAN members from Australia and Denmark, as well as Dr.

Daryl Tan from Singapore provided best practices. Members from Australia explained their nurse-led services and core programs for patients. Denmark members shared their survey that led to an awareness campaign targeting general practitioners to improve early detection. Dr. Tan from The

Asian Myeloma Network (AMN) explained his methodology of developing a resource-stratified treatment guideline to improve the quality of myeloma care.

One of the biggest highlights of the Summit was naming the recipients of 2020 Susie Novis Durie Grant. Armenia was awarded for creating a website for patients and awareness day activities, Romania for establishing an online platform for telemedicine, and Argentina for operating a safe and hygienic transportation service for patients to hospitals.