Be sure to look for the new issue of the IWMF Torch coming soon to a mailbox near you! Digital or print, it is sure to provide interesting and useful information, as we all look to another year, more or less, of masking, distancing, and staying healthy.

 

To those with the CXCR4 mutation in their WM cells, our cover story by Dr. Steven Treon will be of particular interest, providing some insight into how this mutation, like MYD88, can impact the presentation of Waldenstrom’s and treatment outcomes.

 

As the support of WM research is a major part of the IWMF’s mission, our emphasis is to continue to present summaries of the most recent IWMF research proposals, as well as information on available clinical trials and WM-related presentations given at the American Society of Hematology meeting in December.

 

Thank you again for all the responses to our survey—so many ideas, so many ways to approach them, and so much to do in so little time. One suggestion, which I will follow now, was to keep this announcement to a minimum, so people will not feel as if they had already read the Torch when they receive it. That works for me, so when you read your Torch, I hope you will be pleasantly surprised by the rest of its content!

 

Editor, IWMF Torch

 

The WMUK is delighted to be kick-starting a series of live webinars with WM experts over the coming months, starting in April with Consultant Cardiologist Dr Critoph. Dr Critoph has extensive experience working with WM patients with cardiac conditions associated with their WM and will be answering your cardiology questions live.

 

You can submit questions in advance to info@wmuk.org.uk

Patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers are invited to hear from Dr. Catriona Jamieson, a leading physician-scientist in the cancer stem cell biology field and pioneering researcher in cancer stem cell therapeutics, and Dr. Derrick Rossi, a cutting-edgestem cell scientist and founder of multiple biotechnology start-ups, including the COVID-19 vaccine producer Moderna. Dr. Jamieson and Dr. Rossi will provide information and insights on navigating a blood cancer diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Participants will also learn about support resources available through LLS.