PATIENTS PERSPECTIVES

On September 22, 2007, I lost my mother, my best friend to Multiple Myeloma. She was a true fighter, determined to maintain hope that one day a cure would be found. Unfortunately, she was not able to live to see that day come. She always said to keep fighting this disease, to raise awareness and do everything possible to help those with Multiple Myeloma and provide a better quality of life for the patients, as well as the caregivers. This is why I'm helping to organize this event. My mother was a patient at Duke and received extraordinary care from her physician, Dr. Cristina Gasparetto. Although nothing will bring my mother back, I will forever support the program at Duke and do all that I can to further research for Multiple Myeloma. I hope to see a cure one day, and like my mother, I will never give up. Thank you for your support of the Inaugural Duke Multiple Myeloma Bike Ride! Tammy Burkett

"In June 2006, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and within six-months; I left the Stem Cell Transplant Center to return to a normal life. After 18-months, I remain in complete remission and I haven't looked back. I continue to steadily improve. Although I live with the possibility the myeloma will return, I won't let my cancer take charge of my life. I have returned to a full work schedule and as a middle school principal, I often have days that are long and frenzied. I wouldn't have it any other way! I am so grateful to my doctor and the medical professionals at Duke." Christine Waggoner, Charlotte, N.C.

"Like other hematological cancers such as leukemias and lymphomas, multiple myeloma originates from a breakdown in the human body's immune system. Finding a cure for myeloma remains one of today's most daunting oncological challenges: the mean survival time from diagnosis is now about 5 years. Immunology is one of today's hottest medical fields, and breathtaking insights have recently been gained into the molecular details of immune response. This has yielded new rationales for creative, cell-based approaches to treating cancers of the immune system - an area in which Duke University Medical Center is internationally recognized. Patients at DUMC have access to a full array of up-to-date treatments, including clinical trials of novel methods that are not yet publically available." Walter Struve

Do you want to leave a message?

by www.uovosodo.it