Links
- Other BC Multiple Myeloma Support Groups
- Medical Services
- Patients Travelling to Vancouver for Treatments
- Transportation
- Income Assistance
- BC Holistic Health Cancer Resources
- National Myeloma Organizations
- International Myeloma Organizations
- Myeloma Chat Rooms
- Support Networks
- Grief Resources
- Evidence-based websites for Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) information
Other BC Multiple Myeloma Support Groups
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Nanaimo Group
Susan McLean by email: nanaimosupport@myeloma.ca
Facebook group: Nanaimo Myeloma Support Group
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Surrey Group
Kundan Uppal-Dubinsky
Phone: 604-551-704
Email: gkdub@shaw.ca -
Vancouver Myeloma Network
Email: vancouversupport@myeloma.ca -
Vancouver Myeloma Support Group
This website has very good advice for those travelling to Vancouver for treatment and a lot of other helpful information -
The North Island Multiple Myeloma Support Group
Campbell River
The North Island Multiple Myeloma Support Group welcomes all MM and stem cell transplant patients, their caregivers and friends, to join us in a sharing, caring, cheerful and positive environment, centered around mutual support and keeping up with the latest developments in treatment and care. Car pooling can be arranged from Campbell River, Comox Valley and South. As not everyone likes meetings the facilitators are also available to meet with you alone between meetings, in person, by phone and by e-mail. We look forward to meeting you.
The group meets on the third Thursday of each month:
Meetings are Zoom or In Person:
The 3rd Thursday of each month, 1:30-3pm
For information or individual support please contact Linda Latham:
northisland@myeloma.ca or (250) 204-9055
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BC Cancer Agency
The BC Cancer Agency offers a wide range of services to registered patients such as: Pharmacy, Patient and Family Counseling, and Financial Aid Information.
Remain connected to your General Practitioner during the course of your treatments; it is important they are kept up-to-date on your health. This is especially true when you are in remission.
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Drug Access Navigator at the BC Cancer Agency
Robin MacDonald, RPhT
VICDAN@bccancer.bc.ca
250-519-5404 -
Symptom and Side Effect Management Resource Guide
The page also offers two direct links to pharmacists should you have additional or unmanaged symptoms
http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/health-professionals/clinical-resources/pharmacy/symptom-side-effect-management-resource-guide -
Leukemia / Bone Marrow Transplant Program of BC
The Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program at the Vancouver General Hospital and British Columbia Cancer Agency provides care for all adults in British Columbia and the Yukon requiring a bone marrow transplant and 80% of adults with acute leukemia. The website provides information about treatments, clinical trials and support available to people with myeloma and other blood disorders.
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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, BC/Yukon
Region
http://www.llscanada.org/disease-information/myeloma
Below is a download link for Myeloma Information Booklets on Medication Resources, MGUS, Myeloma Guide for Patients and Caregivers, Myeloma Oral Treatment Adherence Facts
http://www.lls.org/resource-center/download-or-order-free-publications?language=English&category=Myeloma
Patients Travelling to Vancouver for Treatments
Vancouver Myeloma Support Group has done a lot of excellent research in gathering information to help those who require treatment in Vancouver and a great deal of other very useful information
https://vancouver-myeloma-support.ca/myeloma-treatment/#out-of-town
Medical Services
Physicians, Home and community care nurses, or the individual may arrange registration for services. However it is recommended that you ask your physician or nurse to arrange the referral to VIHA Community Care Programs.
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Hospice Palliative Care
Hospice and palliative care are terms used interchangeably in most parts of Canada.
Hospice care is a philosophy of care, not just a place, with a goal of comfort rather than cure and provides expert physical, social, emotional and spiritual support to patients and family members coping with advanced illness, death and bereavement. Care may be provided in your home or a care facility. Registration may be done before services are actually required.
In Victoria, there is 17-bed palliative care In-Patient Unit at Royal Jubilee Hospital consisting of seven acute care or assessment beds, nine long term care beds, and one respite bed. Saanich Peninsula Hospital has a 10-bed palliative care unit for patients living on the Saanich Peninsula who require short-term symptom management or a longer stay of up to three months. Hospice Care is available in most BC communities and locations are listed in the Care Guide website.
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Respite Care
Respite care enables caregivers to have time for rest and renewal. Many care facilities offer respite care. A new facility, Piercy Respite Hotel at 1454 Hillside Avenue, Victoria, BC, provides 12 rooms for Respite Care. You can reach them at (250) 370-5641.
Tip: Respite care often requires advance booking and persistence. Service is provided on a non emergency basis and planning is needed.
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HealthLinkBC
Provides health information with links to nurses, pharmacists and dietitians
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BC NurseLine
Call 8-1-1. Nurses are available 24/7 to help you with non-emergency health concerns, to discuss symptoms and procedures and recommend whether you should see a health professional. Pharmacists are on call when your community pharmacist may be unavailable, every night from 5 pm to 9 am.
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Red Cross for BC and Yukon
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Seniors Serving Seniors Resources
Transportation
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Handy DART Victoria Regional Transportation Region
If you have a disability that prevents you from using public transit buses some or all of the time, you may be eligible for door-to-door custom transit services. Once registered as a HandyDart customer with a HandyPass HandyDart service also includes the Taxi Saver programme which offers greater convenience for spontaneous one-time trips in the Greater Victoria region. Taxi Saver program provides a 50% subsidy towards the cost of taxi rides.
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Wheels for Wellness
Monday to Friday, throughout the day, from Courtney to Victoria, Wheels for Wellness provides transportation for residents of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to and from non-emergency medical appointments. The earliest arrival is 9 am in Victoria and the final appointment must be completed by 3PM when the last van leaves Victoria. There is one wheelchair van which must be booked in advance of need. Cost is by donation. You can call them at (250) 338-0196.
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Travel Assistant Program (TAP)
TAP helps cover some of the transportation costs for eligible B.C. residents who must travel within the province for non-emergency medical specialist services not available in their own community.
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Cancer Driveline Society
Non profit volunteer society offer free rides to any cancer patient living or residing within Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Saanich, Central Saanich, North Saanich, Sidney, Colwood, Langford, Highlands, View Royal, Metchosin and Sooke. Drivers will not enter the clients home and are unable to assist clients who have difficulty with mobility. Minimum requirement notice of twenty four hours. Operate in conjunction with Angel Flight, who fly patients in free from up Island and the Gulf Islands, and will meet patients arriving at Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal or Victoria International Airport.
Income Assistance
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BC Cancer Agency
and hospitals have social workers who may be able help you access
financial resources, particularly if you are self employed and
ill.
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BC Ministry of Housing and Social Development
Rental, income and disability insurance.
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Other provincial
BC Government Disability Tax Credit Information
BC Holistic Health Cancer Resources
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Inspire health
A not-for-profit organization, medical doctors provide guidance on integration of research-backed natural approaches into cancer treatment and recovery.- Free consultation – medical doctors are covered by BC Medical Services Plan
- No referral needed
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Callanish Healing Retreats Society (Vancouver)
Private facility that provides a holistic approach to cancer care through retreats, support groups, nutritional information, art, music, and a caring environment.
National Myeloma Organizations
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Myeloma Canada
Myeloma Canada provides educational materials, events, and advocacy for Canadians affected by myeloma. The Patient Handbook is an excellent resource and provides comprehensive Canadian information about myeloma.
Tel: (514) 426-5885
Toll Free: 1-888-798-5771
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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
BC/ Yukon Chapter
LLS provides access to information and support for people with blood cancer.
Tel: (604) 733-2873
Toll Free: 1 (866) 547-5433
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Canadian Cancer Society
Information 1-888-939-3333
Emergency Financial Aid – a short term help for expenses related to transportation, accommodation or symptom management medications.
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Out of town Patient Accommodation
International Myeloma Organizations
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International Myeloma Foundation
Affiliated with Myeloma Canada, the IMF is the oldest and largest myeloma organization dedicated to patient information and research. The IMF Hotline puts you in immediate contact with an IMF staff member who can provide information and support. Hotline hours are 9 am to 4 pm PST.
Tel: 1-800-452-CURE
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Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
Research based organization devoted to finding new treatments to extend lives of people with myeloma leading to a cure. Provide information for professionals and about clinical trials.
Phone: 1-203-972-1250
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Managing Myeloma
Professional, clinical information about myeloma
Myeloma Chat Rooms
Support Networks
Grief
A non-profit, free, and confidential service that connects the public to grief support services within the province of BC. Please call the BC Bereavement Helpline for information on bereavement support groups, agencies, and peer-based support.
Contact the Helpline 604-738-9950
Toll-Free: 1-877-779-2223 M-F 9AM-5PM
Evidence-based websites for Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) information
Complementary and alternative medicine - CAM - is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional Western medicine.
