In October 2017 my Father David was diagnosed with having Multiple Myeloma, an incurable disease of which I was blissfully unaware of until that day. 

Myeloma is a rare blood cancer, whereby the Plasma cells become cancerous.  Healthy Plasma cells help to fight infection by making antibodies, which recognise germs and attack them.  Multiple Myeloma causes the cancerous Plasma cells to build up in the Bone Marrow, crowding the healthy blood cells.  The Plasma cells no longer produce helpful antibodies, instead, an abnormal antibody called a Paraprotein is produced.  Paraproteins cause lots of mischief!  Myeloma Patients are more susceptible to Infection (Myeloma cells inhibit the Immune systems ability to fight off infections); Bone issues (pain, thinning and fractures); Reduced Kidney function (MM can reduce Kidney function and cause failure.  High calcium levels in the blood related to the eroding bones can effects the kidneys ability to filter blood waste)  and Anemia (The Myeloma cells crowd out the healthy blood cells in the bone marrow). 

In this short period my Dad has tackled A LOT! He has suffered multiple compression fractures in his Spine and a gruelling Stem Cell Transplant (Bone Marrow Transplant).  He is currently a year into treatment with another 18 months of treatment remaining on the Cardamon Trial.  I'm pleased to say he's responded very well to treatment and long may that continue! :)  

Dad is receiving exceptional care at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, but Myeloma UK have also been invaluable in the process.  Therefore, this is a small way I can say thank you and to help them in their quest to keep up their incredible work and help find a cure for all Myeloma patients.  

Any amount would be greatly appreciated. 

With love and thanks 

Mel 

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Myeloma UK is the only organisation in the UK dealing exclusively with myeloma. Our ultimate goal is to find a cure.We are dedicated to myeloma patients making sure they get access to the right treatment at the right time. We continually strive to improve standards of treatment and care through research, education and raising awareness of myeloma.We receive no Government funding and rely almost entirely on voluntary donations and fundraising. In short, we couldn't do what we do without your support.