When I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Multiple Myeloma, an incurable blood cancer of the plasma in my bone marrow, my haematologist hardly took a breath as he outlined the test results, diagnosis, disease characteristics, and treatment plan. I focused intently as he laid it all out for me to digest.

Any questions? He said, sitting slowly back in his chair so as to not disturb the deafening silence that settled across the room.

Without hesitation, I had only one. Are you buying me time, and if so, how much?

The answer, no. We are going to fix it. There are many treatment options. Myeloma patients are living much longer. You will see a cure in your lifetime.

Since this moment, I have learnt a lot. A lot from my haematologist. A lot from online resources and communities, including Myeloma Australia. New treatments are here, and more are coming. Many patients are living much longer. The myeloma community is confident that a cure is achievable.

But, I have also learnt that it's so much more complicated than this. This disease is diverse, and still so very deadly. I need to receive various lines of treatment options before other, perhaps more ideal, options are made available to me. These will take years. I need my country to make these more advanced treatment options available outside of exclusive trials. I need to constantly receive treatments that are likely to cause other health complications.

Ultimately, I must survive long enough to access a cure.

Myeloma Australia is working tirelessly to ensure that patients like myself navigate living with myeloma as best as we can, and that we stand the best chance of being here long enough to see a cure. They ensure that patients have support and education at our disposal, they advocate for access to more advanced treatments, and facilitate research that could lead to a cure.

On the 3rd of March Myeloma Australia is holding My Greatest Walk. A community event for those affected by myeloma and their networks – to come together to raise further funds and awareness to support the 22,000 Australians living with myeloma. My support network will join me in New Farm, Brisbane, to help me raise awareness that myeloma also impacts younger people like myself. Please reach out if you’d like to join us!

This Greatest Walk fundraising page supports the efforts of Myeloma Australia. Every dollar donated will help Australians like myself living with this awful disease. I cannot thank you enough for your ongoing support, and your contribution to this cause.

Much love, S x