Fall 2007 - International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia ...

President's Corner, cont from page 2
In the past the IWMF has always participated in the bi-annual
International Multiple Myeloma Workshop by having a booth
at the conference to answer questions and distribute our
literature. This has proven to be a successful way to interest
new researchers in applying for grants, and it is also a good
way to add doctors and researchers to our mailing list and to
provide them with information on our disease. Often doctors
are willing to have IWMF publications sent to their offices
and clinics for patient use. At previous multiple myeloma
workshops we met doctors and scientists from Greece, China,
India, and France who were interested and willing to work
with us to develop new support groups in these countries.
The booth provided a great opportunity to meet many medical
professionals who often told us how impressed they were with
our booklets and leaflets, many of which have been translated
into other languages. (Currently publications are available in
Spanish, French and German, and we are looking into further
translations into Greek and Chinese)
* * *
A separate conference is being planned with our National
Cancer Institute contact, Dr. Richard Little. This would be a
one- or two-day think tank meeting of researchers to sort out
the future direction for WM research and to specify where the
IWMF Research Funds could have the most impact. Planning
for this conference is yet in the developmental stage, and more
will be announced when we have the details confirmed.
* * *
For all those with peripheral neuropathy, there will be a
free telephone education workshop for people living with
cancer, their families, friends, and health care professionals.
CancerCare is the sponsor of this workshop, which will be held
on Tuesday, October 30, from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
You must register in advance and can do so by calling 1-800-
813-HOPE [4673], or register online at www.cancercare.org.
* * *
The National Cancer Institute reports two newsworthy
items from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
concerning premiums for Medicare Part D and a tip sheet for
Medicare drug coverage.
Due in large part to strong competitive bidding by health
and prescription drug plans and beneficiaries’ choices, the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) anticipates
that the actual average premium paid by beneficiaries for
standard Part D coverage in 2008 will be roughly $25. This
is nearly 40 percent lower than originally projected when the
benefit was established in 2003 and also lower than projected
earlier this year.
A new partner tip sheet, Information Partners can Use:
Medicare Drug Coverage under Medicare Part A, Part B
and Part D, has been developed to provide an overview on
the drugs covered within each of the Medicare program
components. This tip sheet helps clarify drug coverage for
providers and partners assisting beneficiaries with chronic
diseases and drug coverage enrollment.
For more information on the above items, go to
www.cms.hhs.gov.
* * *
The IWMF has a new Vice President for Administration.
IWMF Trustee Roy Parker will be taking on the job, relieving
Jim Bunton, our current V.P. for Administration and also
IWMF Treasurer, of this responsibility to focus solely on his
duties as Treasurer. The Vice President for Administration
has an internal role as overseer of the functions and staff at
our headquarters in Sarasota, Florida. We are fortunate to
have Roy in this position, and certainly his background in
business will be helpful. Roy will also continue as Chair of
the International Committee.
In closing, I would like to remind you of our ever-constant need
for your support through IWMF membership dues assuring
continued member services and through contributions to
the IWMF Research Fund to underwrite research studies on
our disease.
Stay Well,
Judith
WHAT IS FLOW CYTOMETRY?
by Sue Herms
One of the most frequent uses of flow cytometry in medical
diagnosis is to distinguish among the various types of
leukemias and lymphomas. Flow cytometry may be
particularly helpful in cases where analysis of cancer cells
under the microscope is not adequate to determine the
specific type of tumor present.
The modern flow cytometer consists of a light source,
collection optics, electronics, and a computer to translate
signals to data. In most modern flow cytometers, the light
source of choice is a laser that emits light at a specified
wavelength. Scattered and emitted light is collected by two
detector lenses (one set in front of the light source and one
set at right angles).
In the diagnosis of leukemias and lymphomas, usually a
portion of the bone marrow or other tissue, such as a lymph
node, is broken up into single cells and placed in a liquid—
the cells in the liquid then flow through a chamber, one at a
time very quickly, up to several thousand cells per second.
At this point, the laser beam hits the cells as they pass. The
way the laser beam light bounces (scatters) off each cell is
What is, cont on page 20
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