As a patient advocate, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be attending the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting conference as part of the International Myeloma Foundation’s “Myeloma Voices” team. The conference is being held in San Diego and virtually, and I’ll be attending virtually. My focus during the event will be on smoldering myeloma (SMM) and other precursor conditions—topics that are not only deeply personal to many but also increasingly critical in hematology research.

Why This Conference Matters

ASH is a cornerstone in the world of hematology, where the brightest minds come together to share groundbreaking research. For those of us invested in understanding SMM, the conference offers an invaluable opportunity to explore the latest findings and learn from experts. This is particularly vital given the current uncertainties surrounding SMM care.

Setting the Stage: The “Wild West” of SMM

The smoldering myeloma space has been described recently as the “wild west.” This stems from the ongoing questions about whether to treat SMM early or stick with the standard of care (SOC), which is watchful waiting or active surveillance. While clinical trials are testing early intervention approaches, some oncologists are beginning to treat patients outside of trials—a controversial move that raises concerns about patient safety and the need for evidence-based practice.

Goals for the Conference

At ASH, I plan to attend sessions dedicated to SMM and related precursor conditions. I’ll focus on topics like risk stratification and emerging treatment strategies for high-risk SMM. By diving into this research, I aim to better understand where the field is heading and what it means for patients navigating their own care decisions.

Advocacy and Information Sharing

Throughout the conference, I’ll be blogging and sharing updates on social media to bring the latest insights to patients, caregivers, and anyone interested in this space. My goal is to make this critical information more accessible while amplifying the patient voice in these important discussions.

Call to Action

I invite you to join me on this journey by following my blog and social media updates during the conference. Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or simply curious about SMM, I’d love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions that you have about the research being presented.

Closing Thoughts

Attending ASH as a patient advocate on the International Myeloma Foundation’s Myeloma Voices team is both an honor and a responsibility. I’m eager to learn, engage, and share as much as I can about the evolving science of SMM. Together, we can navigate this complex landscape with a shared commitment to evidence-based care and informed advocacy.

Stay tuned for more updates!

@Daw6Jessie