PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WEBSITE IS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED AND SOME LINKS MAY NOT WORK.  If you are looking for information from the International Myeloma Foundation, please go directly to that site at http://myeloma.org/. 

 We meet on most third Tuesdays of the month from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708. 

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. Call, email or mail to get on our email/phone list so you can receive the meeting announcements. You can also view the details of our next support group meeting, get driving directions, etc. here on our web site.

Driving Directions

SPECIAL EVENT INFO: 

Miles for Myeloma 5K Walk/Run Philadelphia

On Saturday, April 24, 2010 the Philadelphia Multiple Myeloma Networking Group, the Central New Jersey and Northern New Jersey Multiple Myeloma Support Groups are hosting a Miles for Myeloma 5K Regional Event. Proceeds from this event will benefit the research initiatives of the International Myeloma Foundation and the Leukemia & Lymphona Society's Multiple Myeloma Financial Assistance Program.

You can make a difference by joining our team as a runner or walker; or if you are not able to travel to Philadelphia you can support our team with a donation.

If you are interested in running/walking with "Team Tuohy" please contact Robin Tuohy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

If you are interested in donating, we have set up a secure on-line donation page for our team.  Please use the links below or contact Robin for details.

 

  

Ø  Team Tuohy Fundraising Page-Click here to donate:

 

http://www.active.com/donate/philadelphiamyeloma/teamtuohy

 

Ø  Miles for Myeloma Event Website-Click here for details:

 

http://www.philadelphia.myeloma.org/Miles%20for%20Myeloma.html

 

Please join us for our next meeting :

August 17, 2010 -  Round Table Discussion with group members sharing their experiences.  We will also review and discuss the  IMF's Living Well with Multiple Myeloma Teleconference on Nutrition with Speaker, Loch S. Chandler, Naturopathic Physician, Acupuncturist from Providence Integrative Medicine Clinic in Portland, OR. 

Refreshments generously provided by  Kim Pierwola and Matt Nestor of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

2010 Meeting Schedule:

January 19, 2010 - Guest Speaker:  Dr. Neal Zimmerman, Opthamologist - will discuss the importance of good eye health and the possible affects of treatments/steroids to your eyes.  For more info - see his website at:  http://gwretina.com/index.htm

Refreshments generously provided by  Kim Pierwola of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

February 16, 2010 -    MEETING CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW - Speakers Rescheduled

March 16, 2010 -  Guest Speaker:  Ann McNeill, RN, MSN, APN-C, The Cancer at Hackensack University Medical Center, Multiple Myeloma Division.  Ann is also a member of the International Myeloma Foundation's Nurse Leadership Board.  Ann will discuss "Understanding your Lab Reports and your Immune System".

April 20, 2010 - 2 Guest Speakers:  (Rescheduled from February 16th meeting) -  Mike LaFrank and Kevin Campbell from Genzyme will be attending our meeting and will be available to answer questions and provide materials on Genzyme's product Mozobil (plerixafor injection).  Mozobil is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used with another agent granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells into the peripheral blood for collection and subsequent autologous transplantation in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) or multiple myeloma (MM).

Mike and Kevin will generously provide us with pizza and drinks for this meeting! 

May 18, 2010 - Guest Speaker:  Dr. Richard O'Hara,  Technical Director for New England for The Binding Site, makers of the Freelite assay for detection of Immunoglobulin Light Chains in Myeloma and related diseases.   This will be an informational talk about the use of the Freelite assay in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with myeloma and how it can improve initial diagnosis and response to therapy in ways that are more sensitive and more responsive than some of the traditional tests you may be used to.  http://thebindingsite.com/multiplemyeloma-39.asp 

 

Elizabeth Zanin from Celegene will generously be providing our group with light refreshments for this meeting

June 15, 2010 - Round Table Discussion with group members sharing their experiences. 

July 20, 2010 - Guest Speaker:  Dr. Ruben Niesvizky, Associate Professor of Medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan. He also serves as Director of the Multiple Myeloma Service at the Center of Excellence for Lymphoma and Myeloma at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell Medical Center.  For more information:  http://www.weillcornell.org/rubenniesvizky/.  Dr. Niesvizky will discuss updates from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) meetings held in December 2009, American Society of Cancer Oncology (ASCO) meetings held in June 2010 , and updates on the ongoing clinical trials at NY Presbyterian/Cornell.  There will also be opportunity for Q&A. 

 

 

 

September 21, 2010 - GUEST SPEAKER: (Rescheduled from February 16th meeting) -  Rose-Ann Chrzanowski, Reiki Master will offer FREE Reiki sessions to members. Book a mini session and experience the healing benefits of the deep relaxation of Reiki.  Due to popular demand, please contact Robin to book your time slot now with Rose-Ann for your mini session during the meeting. ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

October 19, 2010 - Guest Speaker:  Maureen Carling, RN, (SCM, NDN, HV, FET (England)) - Pain Management Specialist - Maureen has over 40 years experience in nursing and teaching.  Some of her papers include:  algorithm for accurate pain assessment published by VCPI and included in an extended paper -‘Pain Control- The Need for an Accurate Assessment Tool’ published in the journal ’Analgesia’ and ‘Assessment – The Key to Effective Pain Management’ published in the International Myeloma Foundation Journal – ‘Myeloma Today’

Maureen will be traveling from Virginia specifically to visit with our support group!  Let's please give Maureen a warm New England welcome! 

November 16, 2010 - 2011 Planning meeting.  What topics/speakers to we want to schedule for next year?  How many?  Quarterly?  Round Table Discussion with group members sharing their experiences

December 21, 2010 - NO MEETING DUE TO HOLIDAYS (alternate date/holiday gathering TBD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refreshments generously provided by Elizabeth Zanine of Celgene.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth Zanin from Celegene will generously be providing our group with light refreshments for this meeting

August 17, 2010 -  Round Table Discussion with group members sharing their experiences.  We will also review and discuss the  IMF's Living Well with Multiple Myeloma Teleconference on Nutrition with Speaker, Loch S. Chandler, Naturopathic Physician, Acupuncturist from Providence Integrative Medicine Clinic in Portland, OR. 

 

Refreshments generously provided by  Kim Pierwola and Matt Nestor of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.