Some of you may or may not know that I hail from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, or that I still root for all of their professional teams (male or female). In the face of being flush from the fresh thrill of recent gridiron fortune (33-30), this is not about supporting my local sports teams.
And though the image featured in this week's blog is part of an NFL Cancer Awareness and Fundraising effort, creatively highlighting all the colors for all cancers (FYI: burgundy is the signature Multiple Myeloma color, and March is the month), this is not a plea for donations. It is worth noting that though it feels like millions of dollars have already been donated toward cancer research (yet millions more are needed), keep in mind that the minimum developmental life cycle of a new drug (cancer or otherwise) is roughly 10 years, and that only about 12 percent of drugs that eventually even enter human clinical trials are ultimately approved for introduction by the FDA. That sobering statistic aside, many procedures that we take for granted today (like my stem cell transplant), are prime examples of just how far we have come - and far we still have to go. Amazing improved alternatives (increased efficacy) are happening every day; like the breakthroughs in CAR T-cell therapy as applied to MM treatment that are bringing the reality of a "cure" into focus and feasibility.
However, this IS a reminder of the need for ongoing support for your team - team of cancer healthcare professionals and caregivers. Let it never happen to you or yours, but if it does, you'll be grateful for all that has been done before, and pushing for all that can be done in the near future. Medically, we want (need) the latest treatment that can address our specific and unique strain of disease; as quickly as possible, as thoroughly as possible, and with the least amount of side effects as possible. Emotionally, sometimes we don't know what we want or need - a hot meal, a warm hug, a cold beer, a soft shoulder to lean on. But with the support of our local team, we get by and get through. Thanks to all of you, and the rest of my unsung support team.
