(SEVA MMSG)
Member of the International Myeloma Foundation Network of Support Groups
- Third
Saturday of the month from 10:00 AM to Noon
(Most months; check below for specific schedule)
Planned Agenda:
- June
15 - Speaker: Ann McNeill RN, MSN,
APN-C, from the Multiple Myeloma Division of the
Hackensack University Medical Center and Member, IMF
Nurse Leadership Board. Topic: Multiple
Myeloma topics of interest to patients and
caregivers. Group
discussion: Following speaker, as time
allows: patients and caregivers share information and
support. FREE
LUNCH provided through
the generosity and courtesy
of Millennium representative Melissa Macveigh and
Millennium: the Takeda Oncology Company.
- July 20 - Speaker: Angela Dispenzieri, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic Hematology Department and Transplant Center. She is a Professor of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, who has done extensive research in multiple myeloma. Topic: Updates on key Multiple Myeloma issues, latest treatments and research. Group Discussion: Following speaker, as time allows: patients and caregivers share information and support. FREE LUNCH provided through the generosity and courtesy of Millennium representative Melissa Macveigh and Millennium: the Takeda Oncology Company.
- August 17 - Speaker: Scott Friedly, CPC, Regional Account Manager for Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. Topic: Understanding Your Treatment Coverage - How to Stay Informed. Group Discussion: Patients and caregivers share information and support. FREE LUNCH provided through the generosity and courtesy of Millennium representative Melissa Macveigh and Millennium.
- September 21 - Speaker: Robin Tuohy, International Myeloma Foundation. Topic: TBD. Group Discussion: Patients and caregivers share information and support. FREE LUNCH provided through the generosity and courtesy of Millennium representative Melissa Macveigh and Millennium: the Takeda Oncology Company.
- October 19 - Speaker: TBD. Group Discussion: Patients and caregivers share information and support. FREE LUNCH provided through the generosity and courtesy of Millennium representative Melissa Macveigh and Millennium: the Takeda Oncology Company.
- November
16 - Speaker: Jim Bond,
Millennium Patient Ambassador. Topic: His
myeloma journey.
Group Discussion: Patients and caregivers share
information and support. FREE
LUNCH provided
through the generosity and
courtesy of Millennium representative Melissa Macveigh
and Millennium: the Takeda Oncology Company.
- December
14 - Holiday Luncheon. Details
forthcoming.
Our Meeting Location:
Catholic Charities Building
4855* Princess Anne Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23462*Note: You will NOT see a 4855 address per se on Princess Anne Road. Turn into the Ascension Church entrance next to the Kempsville Masonic Temple (nr. 4869) and then proceed to the building on the right.
Use the "View Printed Driving Directions" link below the map for the most detailed directions from points in Hampton Roads.
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Printed Driving Directions
We meet on most third Saturdays of the month from 10:00 AM to noon.
Patients, caregivers and friends share their knowledge and experiences on treatments, coping with side effects, medical insurance, participation in clinical trials, new scientific and clinical research and provide mutual support and encouragement.
We also invite experts to join us and share their knowledge.
Our mission is to be an ongoing resource
for information, support, shared experiences and hope for
persons with multiple myeloma, their family and
friends. We also have participants with amyloidosis
and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.
Veterans
Against Myeloma (VAM)
Veterans Against Myeloma seeks to
unite myeloma veterans in support of myeloma education
and research. See: www.vam.myeloma.org.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the cells
in the bone marrow that affects production of red cells,
white cells and stem cells. More specifically, it is an
uncontrolled growth of plasma cells which attack and
destroy bone. It is the 2nd largest of the blood cancers
affecting an estimated 750,000 people worldwide; in
industrialized countries it is growing in number and
affecting increasingly younger people. Although there is
no known cure, multiple myeloma is treatable and outcomes
are constantly improving. For more information go to
www.myeloma.org
or www.philadelphia.myeloma.org/links/.
Amyloidosis is a rare disease that
occurs when substances called amyloid proteins build up in
your organs. Each year, over 3000 cases of amyloidosis are
diagnosed in the U.S. Amyloid is an abnormal protein
usually produced by cells in your bone marrow that can be
deposited in any tissue or organ. Amyloidosis can affect
different organs in different people, such
as the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system
and gastrointestinal tract. The exact cause is
unknown, and currently there's no cure. However,
therapies are available to help manage symptoms
and limit the production of amyloid protein.
Research indicates that as many as 15% of myeloma patients
may eventually get amyloidosis. For more information
go to www.amyloidosis.org
and www.amyloidosissupport.com.
Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia
(WM)
Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a
slow-growing cancer that begins in the immune
system. Abnormal white blood cells in the bone
marrow make an abnormal protein called monoclonal
immunoglobulin M (IgM) that thickens the blood
plasma. This causes the symptoms of WM. WM is
a rare disease, with only about 1,500 cases per year in
the U.S. While the disease is incurable, it is
treatable. Because of its indolent nature, many
patients are able to lead active lives, and, when
treatment is required, may experience years of
symptom-free remission. For more information go to www.iwmf.com.
Join us as we strive to create hope and share experiences and information with patients, caregivers, family and friends through education, support and our personal experiences.
Jerry Walton
757-495-8432
jerryewalton@cox.net
Call or email to get on our meeting announcement list.