European Commission Grants Marketing Authorization For Mozobil – On August 5, the European Commission granted marketing authorization for Mozobil ^[1] in the European Union. Access to Mozobil will allow multiple myeloma patients who require a stem cell transplant a new option. The drug is used in combination with a granulocyte-colony stimulating factor which stimulates bone marrow, and together they increase the mobilization of stem cells to the bloodstream for collection and use in stem cell transplants. Mozobil was approved in December 2008 in the United States. For more information, please see the Genzyme ^[2]press release.

Sausalito Music Fan’s Bike Ride To Saratoga To Raise Money For MMRF – Cathy Gellis will be riding her bike from Sausalito, CA, to Saratoga, CA, to raise funds for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and to see Huey Lewis and the News on August 15. She is riding in memory of Ron Stallings, a band member of the band who passed away earlier this year after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. For more information or to make a donation, please visit Cathy’s page on the MMRF ^[3] Web site.

Prairie Pedal For Myeloma – The Prairie Pedal for Myeloma blog is written by Shane Saunderson. It follows his bike ride from Calgary to Toronto to raise funds for Myeloma Canada and the Molly and David Bloom Chair in Multiple Myeloma Research. His goal is to ride 3500 km in 35 days and to raise $35,000. Shane began his ride on August 1. To follow the blog or make a donation, please visit the Prairie Pedal for Myeloma Canada ^[4] Web site.

For a more detailed listing of myeloma related events, please check the Myeloma Beacon Events Calendar ^[5].