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NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Dec. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) – improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure –  announced today that 23 abstracts supported by or linked to the organization's Black Swan Research Initiative® to find a cure for myeloma, and its research division, the International Myeloma Working Group, will be presented at the 58^th annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in San Diego Dec. 3-6.

"These nearly two dozen studies underscore the critical importance of early diagnosis in treating and possibly ultimately curing the disease," said IMF Chairman Dr. Brian G.M. Durie. In November, Dr. Durie previewed several Black Swan-supported myeloma abstracts to be presented at ASH 2016 in a teleconference and blog focused on highlights of the ASH annual meeting.

In addition, the IMF will host a broad slate of activities in San Diego that touch on the organization's four areas of myeloma expertise—myeloma research, education, support, and advocacy:

RESEARCH

• IMF Black Swan Research Initiative
  This global, collaborative team of myeloma investigators led by Dr. Durie will convene to launch Phase III of the Black Swan Research Initiative (BSRI), which was created by the IMF in 2012. At ASH 2016 the IMF will also introduce the new IMF MRD Consortium, which is designed to provide highly sensitive and internationally uniform Next-Generation Flow testing technology to centers around the world.
• IMWG Breakfast Meeting
  Twice-yearly members of IMF's research division, the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), gather from around the world to collaborate on a broad range of myeloma research projects. This meeting will offer attendees a summary of IMWG-produced guidelines and research papers, as well as a preview of the top ASH 2016 abstracts. Ongoing and new IMWG research projects to be presented at the June 2016 IMWG Summit in Spain will also be up for discussion.
• Brian D. Novis Research Award Reception
  Funded through donations from private individuals, the IMF's annual research grants, named in honor of the organization's co-founder, enable investigators to become established in the field of myeloma. IMF-funded research has led to many publications in peer-reviewed journals and to a greater understanding of myeloma. Grant awardees from around the world will be joined by myeloma patients, many of whom have joined together to help raise research funding.

EDUCATION

• "Treatment Advances in Multiple Myeloma: Expert Perspectives on Translating Clinical Data to Practice"
  This popular IMF-sponsored satellite symposium at ASH attracts an overflow crowd each year. It will be moderated by Dr. Brian Durie and features panelists Shaji Kumar, MD, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN; Philippe Moreau, MD, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN; Bruno Paiva, PhD, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Antonio Palumbo, MD, University of Torino A. O. U. San Giovanni Battista, Torino, Italy; S. Vincent Rajkumar, MD, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN; and Jesús F. San Miguel, MD, PhD, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
• "Making Sense of Treatment," the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Live Stream Conference Series
  Monday, Dec. 5^th, 8:00 – 9:00 pm PT
  Leading myeloma experts Dr. Brian Durie, Dr. Joseph Mikhael, and Dr. Maria-Victoria Mateos will tackle the key questions currently facing myeloma doctors and patients in light of the latest study results presented at ASH. Available live-streamed and archived at https://www.myeloma.org/videos/imwg-conference-series-ash-2016.
• IMF-TV
  In a series of brief videos posted on the organization's website, top myeloma experts and lead investigators share their opinions and summarize the most significant research findings presented at ASH 2016.

PATIENT SUPPORT

• IMF@ASH Social Media Team
  Each year the IMF brings a team of more than a dozen myeloma patient and caregiver representatives to ASH to attend the presentations and report to the patient and caregiver community from a patient's perspective throughout the meeting. This knowledgeable team receives advance guidance from the IMF on what to look for during the research presentations and discussions. As a result, the IMF's dynamic social media team consistently ranks in the "Top 10 Most Influential" list of ASH attendees on Twitter. Follow @IMFmyeloma reporting with the hashtags #ASH16 and #IMFASH16. Blogs posted at http://ash2016blogs.myeloma.org/.

PATIENT ADVOCACY

• Global Myeloma Action Network (GMAN) Breakfast
  GMAN is a patient advocacy umbrella group that works to convene members and partners to share best practices, address mutual areas of concern, and elevate awareness of multiple myeloma around the world.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL MYELOMA FOUNDATION
Founded in 1990, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is the oldest and largest nonprofit foundation focusing specifically on multiple myeloma. The Foundation's reach extends to more than 450,000 members in 140 countries worldwide. The IMF is dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure by focusing on four key areas: research, education, support, and advocacy. The IMF has conducted more than 250 educational seminars worldwide, maintains a world-renowned InfoLine, and in 2001, established the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), a collaborative research initiative focused on improving myeloma treatment options for patients. In 2012, the IMF launched the Black Swan Research Initiative®, a groundbreaking research project aimed at curing myeloma. The IMF can be reached at (800) 452-CURE (2873). The global website is www.myeloma.org. Follow the IMF on Twitter @IMFmyeloma.

CONTACT:
Debra Gendel
debra@cashmereroad.com 
(310) 710-1903
Dan Boyle
dan@boylepr.com 
(818) 209-1692

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SOURCE International Myeloma Foundation