This weekend, conferences about multiple myeloma will be held in Hawaii, Canada, Greece, and Arizona. The conferences in Hawaii and Canada are more patient-focused and have question and answer sessions. The conferences in Greece and Arizona are targeted towards oncologists and health care professionals, providing certificates of attendance for career development.

Registration is free for the workshop in Hawaii; however, the conferences in Canada, Greece, and Arizona have registration fees.

Hawaii Regional Community Workshop
September 11, 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii

The Hawaii Regional Community Workshop on Friday, September 11, will bring together myeloma patients and their families, myeloma specialists, and other members of the International Myeloma Foundation community. The lectures during the workshop will cover myeloma, options for treatment and relapse, clinical trial participation, and side effects management. The speakers for this event are Robert A. Vescio, M.D. from Cedars Sinai Cancer Center, and Deborah Doss, R.N., O.C.N. from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The program is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and refreshments will be provided. Registration for the event is free. For more information, visit the International Myeloma Foundation Web site.

Myeloma Canada Patient, Family & Health Care Professionals Conference
September 11 to 12, 2009 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The Southern Alberta Multiple Myeloma Support Group and the Tom Baker Cancer Centre are sponsoring the 5th annual Myeloma Canada Patient, Family & Health Care Professionals Conference.

The first morning of the event will begin with an introduction to multiple myeloma and the blood tests commonly given to myeloma patients. Dr. Bradwell from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, will explain the value in Serum Free Light Chain Analysis. The first day will end with a presentation about living with myeloma followed by an expert panel discussion.

The second day of the event will include lectures on current therapies for newly diagnosed patients, approaches for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, and understanding future aims in myeloma therapy. There will also be two expert panel discussions and a buffet lunch.

Notable speakers at the conference will include Dr. Morie Gertz (Mayo Clinic), Dr. Brian Durie (Chairmain of the International Myeloma Foundation), Dr. Donna Reece (Princess Margaret Hospital), and Susie Novis (President of the International Myeloma Foundation). For more information, visit the Myeloma Canada Web site.

Athens Conference On Plasma Cell Dyscrasias
September 11 to 12, 2009 in Athens, Greece

At this conference, 15 expert speakers will present on recent biological advancements, prognosis, and management of multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), amyloidosis, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia.

The first day of the event will cover current diagnostics and factors that influence the progression of a disease. Another lecture will cover the development of novel agents for multiple myeloma. The second day of the event will go over treatments for relapsed patients and for newly diagnosed patients. A few lectures will discuss different treatment options such as high dose therapy with stem cell transplantation and also antibody and immune-based therapies.

Registration is first come first serve with 300 spots available. There is a registration fee that includes admittance to the opening ceremony, all sessions, and the exhibition.  Participants will also receive conference documents, certification of attendance, and refreshments. For more information visit the Athens Conference on Plasma Cell Dyscrasias Web site.

Sixth Annual Symposium On Controversies And Clinical Challenges In Lymphoma, Myeloma And Leukemia
September 11 to 12, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona

The Physicians’ Education Resource in collaboration with the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center presents this oncology CME-certified symposium. Treatments for various hematological diseases will be discussed, along with new treatment therapeutics and controversies in management. The conference also will host case-based discussions with an emphasis on recent findings.

Day two of the event will cover clinical challenges in multiple myeloma, including transplants, induction therapy, relapsed/refractory myeloma, and kidney failure. A lecture on clinical issues for older patients will also be presented, followed by a panel discussion. The second half of the morning will cover common controversies in multiple myeloma treatment. These include cytogenetics, new therapies, and transplants.

Because this conference qualifies as continuing education for physicians, they can get up to 14.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits by participating in this event. Additionally, physician assistants can also earn credits for attending this event. For more information about this conference, visit the Cancer Learning Web site.

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