Making our funds work to help

Understanding Myeloma

About 20,580 Americans will be diagnosed with myeloma this year. It is estimated that approximately 66,529 people in the United States are living with or are in remission from myeloma.

Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells, a type of white cell found in many tissues of the body, but primarily in the bone marrow. Plasma cells are part of the body’s immune system.

Normal plasma cells make antibodies, which help fight infection. Myeloma cells cannot help the body fight infection. As the myeloma cells grow in the marrow they crowd out the normal plasma cells. They also crowd out normal white cells, red cells and platelets.

Most people with myeloma are age 50 or older. Americans of African descent are diagnosed with myeloma about twice as often as Americans of European descent. People of Asian and Hispanic descent have lower rates of myeloma than other groups.

This is a hopeful time for myeloma patients. Progress towards a cure is under way. New myeloma drugs have been approved in the last few years and new treatments are being studied.

The Kidney Foundation of Canada is people working together for a common cause. We are volunteers, individuals living with kidney disease, donors, and staff members — from all walks of life, all across Canada.

Since its creation in 1964, The Kidney Foundation has helped millions of Canadians suffering from kidney failure and related disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, urinary tract infections and kidney stones.
OUR VISION

Kidney health, and improved lives for all people affected by kidney disease.
OUR MISSION

The Kidney Foundation of Canada is the national volunteer organization committed to reducing the burden of kidney disease through:

* funding and stimulating innovative research;
* providing education and support;
* promoting access to high quality healthcare; and
* increasing public awareness and commitment to advancing kidney health and organ donation

Since 1964, our fundraising campaigns have allowed us to contribute millions of dollars to research, and to provide services to individuals living with chronic kidney disease and related conditions.

On March 11, 2010, Canada, with the support of all provinces and territories, ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is delighted that the two levels of government supported the ratification and looks forward, on behalf of people with MS and other disabilities, in helping build a more inclusive and accessible Canada — Yves Savoie, President and Chief Executive Officer, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.