Our History
Prompted by their health professionals' three couples, Bob and Glenys Moran, Brian and Roslyn Rosengarten and Donald and Judith Brown met in August 1998 to discuss ways of encouraging the Government, the Universities, the Scientists in fact anyone, to dedicate time and money on research into Multiple Myeloma.
The meeting took place at the Cancer Council of Victoria and was facilitated by Pat Dobson, a Research and Development Officer with the Cancer Council.
At that time their own investigations had indicated that very little scientific research was being directed towards the prevention and cure of myeloma in this country. So, the six embarked on a mission to correct this state of affairs leading to the birth of Myeloma Victoria.
The present organisation evolved from there. A chronology of major development milestones is listed below:
Major milestones.
A chronological record
October 1998
First meeting of Myeloma Planning Group held. A/Professor Miles Prince of Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute and Dr Paul Mitchell from the Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre act as advisers to the group
December 1998
The name Myeloma Victoria chosen by the committee
April 1999
1st Major Myeloma Seminar held in Melbourne. 240 guests attended.
May 1999
Organisation officially incorporated as Myeloma Victoria Inc.
May 1999
Myeloma Victoria supports clinical trials of drug, Thalidamide.
September 1999
Rotary Club of Camberwell approves grant of $40,000 to support the thalidomide project and fund appointment of 1st Myeloma Liaison Nurse
Further $10,000 donated by Novartis Pharmaceuticals to part sponsor nurse appointment
November 1999
First of 4 annual Rotary-sponsored, ‘Business of Winning’ luncheons held with proceeds to Myeloma Victoria
First edition of quarterly Newsletter ‘MyeVic’ published
February 2000
Brian Adams Honour Roll created to recognise major gifts to the Foundation in honour of the work done for the myeloma community by the late Brian Adams of Tasmania
March 2000
First Myeloma Education Workshop conducted
June 2000
Myeloma Research and Development Liaison Nurse appointed, later renamed Myeloma Support Nurse
August 2000
Link with the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia established
October 2000
1st Myeloma Information Sheet published and circulated to members
August 2001
!st regional Myeloma Seminar held in Shepparton
February 2002
Kaye Hose appointed as Myeloma Support Nurse
March 2002
2nd major Myeloma Seminar held in Melbourne. 250 guests attended
May 2002
Initial links forged with La Trobe University
July 2002
‘Myeloma Education in Regional Areas’ program for oncology nurses and other health professionals living in regional areas launched. 1st Forum held in Geelong
August 2002
1st ‘Public Awareness’ Breakfast held in Melbourne
July 2003
Results of Australian clinical trials of drug thalidomide sponsored by Myeloma Victoria and Rotary, announced and published in prestigious US magazine ‘Blood’.
November 2003
Name Myeloma Victoria changed to Myeloma Foundation of Australia Inc, reflecting national scope of some of the Foundation’s activities. Foundation embarks on major re-organisation separating Victorian regional operations from the national functions which included advocacy, fundraising.
March 2004
Foundation endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient enabling it to receive gifts that are tax deductible to the donor
April 2004
1st of 4-weekly forums in ‘Living with Myeloma’ Program held in Melbourne in conjunction with the Cancer Council, Victoria
January 2005
Foundation Website launched
February 2005
2nd Myeloma Support Nurse employed and located in Sydney. Ms Tracy King was formerly with the Myeloma Foundation UK.
June 2005
Comprehensive Freecall Telephone service established.
July 2005
Committee for Myeloma Foundation New South Wales formed under Chairmanship of Mr Shaun Raby becoming a Sub Committee of the Foundation
February 2006
Major Myeloma Seminar held in Sydney with keynote speakers, Professors’ Douglas Joshua, Miles Prince and Stewart Dunn and A/Prof Ian Kerridge. 250 delegates attended
June 2006
Grant of $50,000 received from the Federal Government, Department of Health and Ageing to define the strategies and programs needed to expand the Foundation to become a truly national representative body for the myeloma community
February 2007
Previously independent Support Group, Myeloma South Australia agrees to join the Foundation becoming the Committee for South Australia under Chairman Mr Ian Driver
September 2009
The Federal Government lists Thalidomide on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as a frontline treatment for myeloma.
November 2009
The Federal Government lists Velcade and Revlimid under the PBS for the treatment of refractory and relapsed myeloma.
These outcomes followed a 12-month period of intense lobbying by MFA's advocacy team and advice given to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee by MFA's Medical & Scientific Advisory Group, supported by submissions made by over 150 MFA subscribers.
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