My mom Lorraine was diagnosed in 2001 with smouldering myeloma (SMM) when she was 68 years old. Of course, we had never heard of multiple myeloma, much less this smouldering business.

The SMM stage lasted for about a year, maybe a year and a half, and then it turned into full blown myeloma. Sadly, my mom lost her fight six years later in 2006.

At the time my mother was going through her battle, Myeloma Canada didn’t exist. I did a lot of reading and as much research as I could. There was some information out there but not a lot, and there weren’t a lot of treatment options, which was the problem.

Thankfully, we did have some support through a local support group in Edmonton. We were about 15 – 20 members who got together to try and learn about myeloma and whatever limited treatments that were available at that time.

I believe my mother was on Velcade. She underwent a stem cell transplant which did bring her a bit more time. I know that since then myeloma treatments have improved substantially! Even though there still may not be a cure, so many people are living so much longer and are almost dealing with the disease as more of a chronic but relapsing condition. Sadly, this wasn’t the case for my mom.

When I read about other people’s experiences with the disease, it’s validating to learn we weren’t alone in not having known what myeloma was when my mother was diagnosed. I’m so thankful that there was at least a support group for us to join…it really was a great thing.

Knowing that today, there’s a national organization [Myeloma Canada], and a national network of support groups, is very comforting.

It must be so encouraging for someone who's living with myeloma now to reflect on how far things have progressed and be able to say, "Wow, because of all the investments and advancements that have been made in research and treatment, I'm still here, and I've got options ahead of me!!"

My mother was 68 when she was diagnosed. All of her ancestors lived well into their 80’s and 90’s so it was such a shock to learn she had cancer...to us, she was still young. You start analyzing and wondering if there was anything that she did in her life that could have caused or contributed to this. We couldn’t come to any conclusions.

My mom lived at home and sewed for people. She wasn’t exposed to chemicals. We ate wild meat and vegetables from our garden most of our lives. It’s one of those things that we’ll never understand.

That’s one of the reasons why I want to do what I can to help advance research for a cure and raise awareness to help others know about this disease.

I’m also hoping my story will help people open up and say, ‘Hey, I want to fight this. I know there are other treatments out there and I’m going to do my research to find out more about them. I’m going to get more involved with the support group network or the organization itself and I’ll move forward from there with others instead of alone’.

I wanted my mother’s story to be a part of a campaign that helps further funding for research and improving quality of life for others living with this disease. 🙏 If my $50,000 donation can help raise $100,000 that would be unbelievable!