Greetings! My name is Jessie Daw, and I’m excited to be a member of the 2022 International Myeloma Foundation’s (IMF) American Society of Hematology (ASH) Support Group Leader team! I’ll be attending the 64th ASH Annual Meeting virtually and will be focusing on myeloma precursor conditions (i.e., monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance aka MGUS, and smoldering multiple myeloma aka SMM). At the start, I want to thank the IMF and the pharmaceutical company sponsors that make it possible for our team to attend ASH (some virtually and some in person).

Much research is happening in the precursor space and I will be attending sessions and providing blogs as well as tweeting (@Daw6Jessie) about what I’m learning. Of particular interest are updates on iStopMM, as well as learning about single-cell RNA-sequencing for precursor conditions and gene signature use in possibly predicting progression. For those with SMM, the 20/2/20 classification has additional data that potentially improves the model. Additional topics of interest include diet and body mass index (BMI) and hematologic malignancies, COVID-19 focused sessions, as well as a session for those who treat SMM (It’s fun to be a fly on the wall!).

Those living with precursor conditions are living with a different uncertainty than many folks. But it’s true that uncertainty is all around us – precursor conditions or not. We may have an idea of how we think our story will play out, but the truth is, we often don’t know for sure. As the research in the precursor space, especially for those with SMM, continues to advance, we as patients will be afforded new opportunities and choices that will impact our stories. We may not know exactly how yet, but this new research reveals more insights, giving more pieces to the puzzle. When will the puzzle be complete? It’s hard to tell. But I’m grateful to the researchers and doctors who keep advancing the knowledge base. In the meantime, let’s take the moment and make the best of it. Please follow along as I do my best to share what I can

Follow me on Twitter @Daw6Jessie