Patient Power, Winship Cancer Institute Partnered for Myeloma Town Hall Meeting

In an effort to inform multiple myeloma patients and their loved ones about cutting-edge research and what it means for them, Patient Power and Emory Winship Cancer Institute partnered to host a town meeting Sept. 23 in Atlanta.

The free event was at the Hyatt Midtown Atlanta, 125 10th St. Information about the town meeting is available here.

In a freewheeling, talk show-style setting, multiple myeloma topics ran the gamut, including the latest treatment news, genetic profiling and imaging, and how to participate in developing research. Patients were also given tips on how to access clinical trials for their condition.

Expert guests included Jonathan Kaufman and Ajay Nooka, both physicians and affiliates of the Emory Winship Cancer Institute; and Charise Gleason, a nurse practitioner and member of Winship’s bone marrow and stem cell transplant center. There was also Rafael Fonseca, a physician focused on blood malignancies at Mayo Clinic Arizona.

The event featured a live Q&A session, where patients and caregivers had a chance to interact with the researchers directly and give voice to their questions.

Program attendees were able to meet and communicate with fellow myeloma patients and share their experiences.

“I have such a better understanding of my multiple myeloma since being here,” a past town meeting attendee said. “I now feel confident and informed as I go back home and continue my life.”

Patient Power is an online portal offering cancer information for patients and healthcare professionals. It’s dedicated to helping individuals approach their illness optimally, including understanding the diagnosis, finding the best healthcare providers, and getting other opinions on the right care approach.

The Atlanta-based Emory Winship Cancer Institute is a nonprofit cancer research and patient care center, and Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Such centers provide timely cancer treatments to patients in the U.S.

The town meeting was sponsored by Amgen, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Adaptive Biotechnologies.