An Aberdeen man who was diagnosed with a rare form of bone marrow cancer is helping to organise a day of action to raise awareness of the little-known condition.
Working alongside CLAN, a north-east based cancer support charity, John Boylan and his wife Christine has arranged today’s Myeloma Awareness Day event.
This forms part of national Myeloma Awareness Week, an initiative set up to spread awareness of the cancer, which arises within white blood cells made within the skeleton’s bone marrow.
Unlike the majority of cancers, myeloma does not manifest itself in the body as a lump or a tumour, and most medical issues related to the condition are caused by the build up of abnormal plasma cells generated by the cancer.
When he was first diagnosed with the disease five years ago, Mr Boylan didn’t know who to turn to for help and support.
But after working together with CLAN, the pensioner was involved in launching the Aberdeen Myeloma Support Group in 2014, and the organisation has been helping to bring sufferers of the condition from all the north-east together ever since.
Mr Boylan said: “Most people feel overwhelmed when they are told that they have myeloma.
“It’s a cancer that very few people have heard about and it affects people in different ways.
“You go through many different emotions when you hear the news and although this is hard on the patient, it is difficult for your carer and your family.
“Christine had to adapt to the new role of carer, making sure that I was taking the proper medication, looking out for symptoms that could arise and generally looking after me.
“You never know what the next stage will be with myeloma, this can be very difficult.
“It is a tremendous comfort to speak to someone who is going through the same thing and that is one of the many reasons why we were anxious to encourage the setting up of a support group.
“The group continues to help us so much and we would like to take this opportunity to raise awareness of the condition and let those living with myeloma know that there are people locally who can help.”
Every year, around 4,800 people are diagnosed with myeloma, but there is currently no cure.
However, with treatment the condition can be kept under control for several years.
Today’s awareness day at CLAN House on the city’s Westburn Road will allow those in need of support to meet members of the Aberdeen Myeloma Support Group and learn more about the cancer and how it can affect a patient’s family and friends.
Complementary therapy sessions aimed at providing relaxation, pain and stress management will be on offer from 10.30am to 2pm, and at 2.30pm Dr Mohammed Kham, consultant haematologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary will give a talk on the illness.
For more information call CLAN on 01224 647 000.
