The Canada Border Services Agency has begun a concentrated effort to stop the smuggling of thalidomide (Thalomid) into Canada. Also, Health Canada is halting all orders and shipments of unlicensed versions of thalidomide as well as the licensed brands from Mexico and other developing countries. These measures were taken after recent news articles focused on myeloma patients smuggling low-priced thalidomide into Canada.

Despite these actions, the issue of how patients who cannot afford thalidomide are to obtain the…

20th Annual Gelatin Splash – On June 11 the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is holding an event to raise money for blood cancer research and patient aid services. The event will be held at Banchetti by Rizzo’s in Amherst, NY and will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. In the past 19 years, the LLS has raised over $1.4 million from this event. If participating in the gelatin splash, the suggested minimum of sponsorship money is $300.…

MMRF Race For Research : Tri-State – The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is sponsoring a 5K race on June 7 at the New Canaan High School, in New Canaan, CT.  Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the race start time is 9 a.m.  For more information or to register, please visit the MMRF Race for Research Web site.

Emerging Therapies In Leukemia, Lymphoma And Myeloma – On June 16, a free educational teleconference focusing on these three diseases…

Returners Host Gaming Marathon To Benefit Multiple Myeloma – On June 5 the Returners will hold a 48-hour video gaming marathon to raise money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. The Returners are a group of video gamers who organize game marathons to raise funds for charities. For more information, please see the event announcement at the Returners Web site.

CyDex Receives Support For Melphalan Development Program -  The Kansas Bioscience Authority (KBA) has awarded CyDex Pharmaceuticals $195,000…

Ontario To Fund Use Of Velcade – On May 13, Velcade (bortezomib) was added to the list of medications covered by Cancer Care Ontario’s New Drug Funding Program. Reimbursement from the Ontario government will now be available for myeloma patients being treated with Velcade. For more information, please visit The Canadian Press or Newswire Web sites.

2nd International Congress On Leukemia-Lymphoma-Myeloma – This convention will be held from May 21 to 24 in Istanbul, Turkey. Companies attending…