Updated 5/29/07

Join/Volunteer/Contribute

We have become accustomed to letting someone else do it for us.

We expect the government to give us health care, our employers to provide medical insurance, our doctors to make us healthy again, and our family to commiserate with us when other agencies and institutions do not give what we feel we need and want. We expect teachers to teach, law enforcement to protect, television to entertain, and our institutions to provide cradle-to-grave protection and care. We have become a culture of "takers" and seldom "givers."

The idea that we could learn rather than being taught, could prevent our diseases and contribute to their cure, that we could take care of ourselves, entertain ourselves, and be independent has become rare, indeed.

Those of us who are on the Board of Trustees, and those who run the programs and services of the Foundation such as the TalkList and the various committees are often asked why the Foundation does not do this or that, or develop new programs, or lobby Congress for financial attention, support a treatment or institution, or get serious about a cure.

Well, the "buck stops here."  The reality is that Providence helps those who help themselves.

Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is such a rare disease - it affects only a few out of each million persons - that it is considered an "orphan" disease and receives little government, agency, or institution attention. And it is appropriate, when millions are dying from breast, colon, prostate, and other cancers, that the majority of attention is focused on the major cancer killers. If we want things to change in regard to our healing and treatment opportunities, we are going to have to do it ourselves. And thus, the IWMF was founded.

We are accomplishing a lot with a little, but imagine how much more we could do if we had a lot! Don’t wait for someone else to do it for you. Read this page, and as you read, Join, Volunteer, Contribute.

How to Join the IWMF

The IWMF, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, depends on the tax-deductible contributions of its members to maintain its services. There are two categories of membership.

Members receive the quarterly publication IWMF Torch and other announcements of relevance to patients and caregivers, are notified of support groups and special presentations in their areas, and receive priority status for IWMF events.

To join, simply fill out the Membership Application Form and return it by mail or FAX with whatever contribution you feel is appropriate (IWMF, 3932D Swift Road, Sarasota, FL 34231, FAX 941-927-4467).  You may also join online by filling out the online Membership Application Form with your credit card information.  The "Membership" button on the home page will also take you to the online Membership Application Form.  

There are no membership "dues" or "fees" but members are expected to make an annual contribution proportional to the services they receive and to the extent that they wish to see the Foundation continue to provide services and fund scientific medical research.

Special Notice to Canadian Members
By Jim Bunton

In 2003 we established a separate organization in Canada with the name Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation of Canada. The purpose of WMF Canada is to operate as a sort of "Canadian chapter" of the IWMF.  WMF Canada was incorporated under Canadian legislation and qualifies as a charitable organization under the Canada Income Tax Act.  WMF Canada can issue tax receipts for voluntary contributions that will be deductible for income tax purposes by Canadian taxpayers.

All members of IWMF residing in Canada (about 140) are automatically members of WMF Canada as well as being members of IWMF.  Canadian members will annually renew their membership in WMF Canada and thereby automatically become (or continue to be) members of IWMF.

The initial organizing meeting of WMF Canada was held in Toronto. Arlene Hinchcliff was elected a director and appointed President. Other directors are Bert Visheau, Olga Anderson, Rod Anderson (not related), and Jim Bunton. The address of the organization is 260 Dalewood Drive, Oakville, Ontario L6J 4P3. Future contributions should be sent to this address and a Canadian tax receipt will be issued.

I would like to emphasize that the purpose of the Canadian organization is not to compete with the IWMF in any way. The intention is to allow Canadians to receive tax deductibility for their contributions while carrying out the mission and objectives of IWMF in Canada to provide WM member services and stimulate medical research into WM.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 416-621-7864.

Canadian Membership Application

Privacy Policy: We do not exchange or sell our mailing lists and your membership information is protected at all times.

How to Volunteer

IWMF is an organization founded and run by volunteers. There is an office manager and small office staff, but all Officers and Trustees, Committee Chairpersons, and Support Group Leaders are volunteers.  The Annual Educational Forum, other meetings and educational opportunities, advocacy, fundraising, and many other activities are all handled by volunteers.

Because we are a small, spread-out organization, there is no common meeting place for volunteers to gather and help. Most of our publications and mailing activities are automated. The kinds of volunteers we need are people with specific skills and experience.

Listed below are some of the areas in which we very much need volunteers to help.

• Fundraising, especially in development of pharmaceutical and corporate programs
• Any other kinds of fundraising campaigns, from hike-a-thons to charity events
• Publications, especially writing and editing of technical documents
• Translation of IWMF documents into other languages
• Development of new support groups in areas which we are not yet represented
• Political advocacy support, if you know your way around Capitol Hill
• Internet communications and website development
• Lifeline telephone contact person
• Assistance with Annual Educational Forums
• Service on committees
• Publicity and media relations

Committee assignments are continually changing, but current Chairpersons are:

We need your help. If there are areas listed above in which you can be of assistance, please contact the relevant committee chairperson. If you have expertise, interest, and experience in other areas not listed above that can help the foundation, please contact the office at info@iwmf.com and you will be directed to the appropriate person.  Remember, the Foundation is only as strong as you are involved.

You will want to know that the Foundation is parsimonious and careful with your generous contributions. Less than 10% of our donations go for administrative expenses (which includes a small office, an office manager, accounting, and other professional services).  90% of our income is used for scientific medical research, publications, and member services.

All of the programs and services of the Foundation are funded by contributions from members, caregivers, and friends and family, and we are always struggling to finance an expanding number of offerings to our patients and physicians. For the most part, we do not charge for products and  do not have membership fees; we break even on our Educational Forum. We are here to provide a service and if we do well, our members will continue to be generous in their contributions. Please consider giving what you can to any of the programs below.

Contributing is easy.

At last count, we had collected over three million dollars for scientific medical research into the treatment of WM and the focused search for a cure. Contributions continue to come in, and with your help, we will reach the goal and accelerate the search.