The Chief Executive Officer Award is selected by our CEO in recognition of truly exceptional contributions to the myeloma community. Marie Claude’s outstanding advocacy and leadership has made a profound impact on the myeloma community. As an active participant in the national Cancer Action Now campaign, “Dying to Be a Priority,” her efforts earned recognition with a prize from the Société québécoise des professionnels en relations publiques. She mobilized her social media network to drive the Carvykti® email-writing initiative, generating dozens of letters from the Francophone community and significantly amplifying patient voices. Marie Claude has also joined the Québec Cancer Coalition as a patient partner, strengthening patient representation at the provincial level. Most recently, she joined the Défi Cyclo-Myélome Committee in 2025 and will serve as spokesperson for the 2026 event, where she will bring her powerful voice to the forefront of myeloma awareness efforts.

The Myeloma Canada Carolyn Henry Memorial / The Excellence in Advocacy Medal (TEAM) Award, established in 2009, honours the outstanding achievements of patient advocates and caregivers. In 2025, Lisa took the helm as leader of the Ontario Advocacy Committee, where she championed initiatives across all levels of government. Her impact extends far beyond traditional advocacy: after identifying a potential link between myeloma and workplace chemical exposures at a London wheel manufacturing plant, Lisa spearheaded advocacy efforts for a group of former employees with multiple myeloma. She coordinated directly with all key stakeholders, including the local union chapter, MPPs, and the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW). What makes Lisa’s work particularly remarkable is that she undertook this challenging advocacy with no personal connection to the affected workers, driven solely by her commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of people affected by myeloma.

The Myeloma Canada Support Group Leader Distinction Award, launched in 2021, recognizes the incredible accomplishments and outstanding leadership of a Myeloma Canada Support Group Leader within our growing support group network. Since taking on the role of Support Group Leader for the Peterborough–Kawartha Lakes Support Group in late 2023, Brian has set a new standard for excellence. His organizational skills shine through in the way he regularly shares summaries of events, webinars, and research updates with his members, consistently forwarding Myeloma Canada emails, resources, and communications to keep everyone informed. Brian’s commitment to building community extends beyond his own group. He actively mentors new Support Group Leaders by attending their meetings and inviting them to join his group, strengthening connections across the entire network. Responsive to member needs, he increased meeting frequency from bi-monthly to monthly, and has led multiple InfoTables at his local hospital to raise awareness of Myeloma Canada and regional support groups. He has also volunteered at the International Myeloma Society Meeting in Toronto and actively promoted and participated in the Multiple Myeloma Marches in Peterborough, Oshawa, and Kingston. Brian’s comprehensive approach to leadership exemplifies what it means to truly serve the myeloma community.

The Myeloma Canada Newcomer Award, established in 2016, recognizes individuals who, in a short period of time, have made a significant difference in the Canadian myeloma community through their active engagement and distinctive leadership. Bonnie’s impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. In her first Multiple Myeloma March, she raised over $30,000 for the Scarborough event. Her thoughtfully planned email campaign, which shared both her personal journey and the important work of our organization, inspired many to get involved and support the cause. Beyond fundraising, Bonnie served as patient speaker at the Scarborough Multiple Myeloma March, where her willingness to share her story highlighted the importance of our mission. Her participation in Health eMatters, strong presence on social media, and involvement in both in-person and virtual AdBoards further demonstrate her commitment to advocacy and awareness.

The Myeloma Canada Notable Volunteer Award, established in 2016, recognizes the important contribution of individuals to the Canadian myeloma community through their exceptional volunteer involvement. As co-founder and co-leader of the Saguenay Multiple Myeloma March and co-Support Group Leader in the Saguenay region, Emmanuel has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the myeloma community. His advocacy work is particularly noteworthy: he has pursued a personal initiative to have multiple myeloma recognized as an occupational disease for Canadian Veterans, successfully securing this recognition for himself and now working to achieve it for all Veterans. Additionally, Emmanuel participated in a national media campaign, sharing his experience across multiple news outlets about living with myeloma in a remote region and the challenges of accessing treatment in rural areas. Through innovative advocacy and steadfast community leadership, Emmanuel exemplifies the spirit that drives meaningful change for Canadians affected by myeloma.

The Myeloma Canada Community Achievement Award, established in 2016, recognizes individuals who have made significant and ongoing contributions to Myeloma Canada and the Canadian myeloma community. Lyzane exemplifies this dedication through her tireless advocacy and leadership. She has shared her story in a Myeloma Canada Spotlight, actively leads the Sainte-Julie Multiple Myeloma March, participated in the Défi Cyclo-Myélome, and organized an InfoTable day at Charles-LeMoyne Hospital. In 2021, she became co-leader (and now leader) of the South Shore Support Group, and serves as a valued member of the Myeloma Canada Ambassador Network. In this role, she has participated as a panelist at the annual Québec FISQ meeting and served as spokesperson for Sam’s Monte Carlo Casino Night. Beyond her remarkable work with Myeloma Canada, Lyzane volunteers with multiple health organizations while balancing her roles as mother, teacher, wife, and veteran. Her commitment to the myeloma community is truly inspiring.