November 27, 2025
Help us fight for access to the treatments Canadians need
A word from our CEO
We speak about research often and the hope it gives our community. Without access to innovative treatments, hope means nothing. That’s why advocacy is such a vital part of what we do at Myeloma Canada. Over the past few weeks, this work has become more important than ever.
Advocacy is part of our mission, but much of it happens behind the scenes. It’s not always visible, yet it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to improve the lives of Canadians affected by myeloma.
What is advocacy to us?
At Myeloma Canada, it means standing up for the right of every person affected by myeloma to benefit from the best available treatments and care, no matter where they live. It’s about turning scientific progress into real-world change by ensuring that innovation reaches patients, not just the headlines.
What does advocacy actually look like?
It includes:
- Educating and engaging our community to affect changes that serve their needs
- Working closely with government agencies and decision-makers
- Conducting surveys to gather patient input for treatment approvals and reimbursement reviews
- Partnering with other community organizations to amplify our voices
- Educating the public about how the health care system works
- Drawing media attention to critical issues
- And so much more
This work is spearheaded by Jessy Ranger (Director, Patient Programs, Health Policy & Advocacy), and supported by Aidan Robertson (Advisor, Health Policy & Advocacy), but truly, everyone at Myeloma Canada plays a role. Most importantly, you play the biggest role.
Your stories, your opinions, your lived experiences are what demonstrate why change is needed and eventually fuel the realization of that change. They’re what give our advocacy efforts meaning and impact.
Right now, we’re leading a critical email-writing campaign to encourage provincial/territorial governments and the makers of Carvykti® to return to the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) negotiating table, where a reimbursement negotiation for Carvykti® (a CAR T-cell therapy) recently concluded without an agreement. Without a negotiated price, no province will offer this potentially life-saving therapy to patients who need it.
So far, over 4,000 emails have been sent in 11 provinces and territories!
Tomorrow, we may be conducting a survey for a different treatment or amplifying the voices of firefighters who live with myeloma or arranging media coverage of the needs of rural patients. The work is continuous and shifting, but your voice remains our constant.
This #GivingTuesday, help us fuel advocacy
In the lead-up to Giving Tuesday 2025, we’re directing this year’s fundraising efforts toward a cause at the heart of our mission: advocacy. It’s how we turn hope into access, and access into impact.
We’re inviting our community to help power the advocacy work that ensures Canadians can access innovative therapies like Carvykti®. This Giving Tuesday, our goal is to raise $25,000 to strengthen these efforts and keep momentum growing.
Your support moves us closer to a future where no Canadian faces barriers to life-changing treatment and for that, we’re deeply grateful.
Why this advocacy work matters beyond the myeloma community
The drug approval and reimbursement process in Canada is unnecessarily burdensome and process-heavy. As treatments have become more innovative, the system has not adapted in an efficient and rapid manner. Today, it is the access to Carvykti® that is impacted. Tomorrow, it will be another innovative treatment.
This isn’t just a myeloma issue, it’s a cancer issue. It affects anyone who needs timely access to the most innovative therapies. The ones that save lives.
Let’s take a stand. For myeloma. For innovation. For every Canadian who deserves access to the best possible care.
Together, we advocate. Together, we change the future.
Like I always say, “It is not about what you did yesterday or what you are doing today. It is about what you will do tomorrow.” Because if change is not underway, you are not done. And so, I will never give up.
With your support, your voice, your emails, your donations, we’re building a future where no one is left behind.
Thank you for being part of this movement.
Warmly,
Martine