The 66th annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting will officially begin December 7, 2024, in my favorite location of San Diego, California.
This meeting is the premier meeting for Hematologists. Scientific and clinical information, new and updated data from clinical trials are reported. The results from these clinical trials can lead to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for new therapies. For example, at #ASH23, Dr. Pieter Sonneveld, MD, PhD, from Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, presented Late Breaking Abstract (LBA), Paper No: LBA-1: Phase 3 Randomized Study of Daratumumab (DARA) + Bortezomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone (VRd) Versus Vrd Alone in Patients (Pts) with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) Who Are Eligible for Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT): Primary Results of the Perseus Trial. In 2024, there was a shift in standard of care therapy from VRd to Dara+VRd for those who are newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma and transplant eligible.
If you are new to the International Myeloma Foundation’s (IMF) Myeloma Voices at ASH, it is a remarkable program. Invited support group leaders (SGLs) attend this premier meeting, either in person or virtually, to learn firsthand the data and information that is being presented. As a group, we discuss the information, sharing our perspectives and the impact the information may have on the #myeloma #CoMMunity. Individually, we share this information through multiple social media platforms and with our support group members. One SGL has the potential to disseminate this information to thousands of people seeking #myeloma knowledge.
This year, the Myeloma Voices include veteran and “newbie” SGL attendees, each of them bringing their personal experience, topic of focus, and interest of their SG members. I have the privilege of joining this group as both a SGL and nurse liaison as a member of the IMF’s Nurse Leadership Board. I will work with this team to answer questions and help them digest the information presented. Undoubtedly, through their perspective as a patient, I will also gain new insights into the myeloma experience.
With the help of Jason London, Sr. Manager, Marketing & Communications at the IMF, we will capture these conversations to share on social media. Follow all of us on your preferred social media platform, watch our vlogs and read our blogs at http://ash2024blogs.myeloma.org/. We are all attending with the support of the IMF donors and sponsorship from Johnson & Jonson/Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Karyopharm Therapeutics and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and are thankful for their generosity.
You can follow us on social media to stay up to date on ASH happenings.
Sheri Baker @blondie1746
Yelak Biru @NorthTxMSG
Becky Bosley @MidAtlanticMSG
Barbara Davis @bkinoglu
Jessie Daw @Daw6Jessie
Oya Gilbert @HHHHFoundation
Terry Glassman @TerryGlassman
Linda Huguelet @LindaMyeloma
Teresa Miceli @IMFnurseMyeloma
Rob Salmon @salmon_rob
Jim Shoemaker @JimJhs17
Michael Tuohy @IMFmikeMYELOMA
Robin Tuohy @IMFsupport
Jenn Wieworka @jwiework
Jill Zitzewitz @JillZitzewitz
This year, the Myeloma Voice missing at ASH24 is that of Jack Aiello. For those who know Jack, you know his myeloma acumen matches that of a PhD, his myeloma patient advocacy is unmatched, and his absence is palpable. Jack has attended ASH for nearly two decades of his nearly 30 years living with myeloma, learning, advocating, sharing. I will miss our discussions, our banter, and our shared passion for myeloma knowledge.
Jack had a signature style at these medical meetings. He would go to the mic following an abstract or education presentation and calmly say, “I have two questions ….” Not that he needed the questions answered, but he wanted to create awareness and include the patient voice.
If you are new to Myeloma Voices at ASH or you have been following SGLs over the years, I have no doubt you will gather a few pearls of knowledge as we share our experiences. I encourage you to check out the abstracts and programs yourself. You can peruse and preview the content by searching key words of interest (i.e. myeloma). https://ash.confex.com/ash/2024/webprogram/start.html
Search social media for key hashtags: #MMSM #Myeloma #ASH24 #IMFASH24
Please join me (virtually) as we delve into exciting myeloma updates.
My best,
Teresa Miceli, RN BSN OCN
Nurse Liaison
Support Group Leader
IMF Nurse Leadership Board