Published: Wednesday, 16th June, 2010 5:00pm

Me and Myelmoa

by Sean McMahon

Brenda Drumm and her son Cathal
Pic by==: 97

Ireland's second national Myeloma Awareness Week will take place from Friday, June 18 to Friday, June 25. There will be information stands in hospitals and coffee mornings are being held around the country to raise money for patient education and support. Broadcaster Miriam O'Callaghan will launch this year's aw areness week, together with Belturbet woman Brenda Drumm and her colleague Mary Kelly from Tullamore.

In January 2007 Brenda Drumm, originally from Belturbet and now residing in Newbridge, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of bone marrow cancer, for which there is currently no cure.

Brenda, then aged 38, went through very aggressive treatment and a stem-cell transplant in July 2007. It was a difficult time for her and her family, especially her husband Bryan and her children Emma (13) and Cathal (5).

But she has not let myeloma hold her back. Instead she has embarked on a drive to raise awareness about this disease, which is really an 'unknown cancer'. Since 2008, Brenda has been working with Mary Kelly, a haematology nurse based in Tullamore to raise awareness.

Myeloma is treatable and there are approximately 222 people diagnosed with it each year in Ireland.

June 2009 saw the launch of Ireland's first myeloma awareness week and the launch of a new dedicated myeloma website for Irish patients and their families. Brenda designed the website and now manages it.

The site has had thousands of hits since it was launched a year ago. Brenda has also established Myeloma Facebook and Twitter pages, has set up a dedicated Myeloma Support Group in Newbridge, and also publishes a bi-monthly newsletter.

Speaking about living with cancer Brenda Drumm said: "The way I look at it is that life is precious and we have to make the most of the time we have here on earth. This is something, which is even more pertinent to me since I was diagnosed with cancer three years ago.

"A diagnosis of cancer is a life-changing event and is one of the most terrifying things that can happen in a person's life. I have great hope and a strong will to hang in there and to take whatever comes. I take it one day at a time and I really do live life to the full. Life is fragile and I appreciate the ordinary everyday miracles that I have every day."

Brenda continued: "Treatments for myeloma are advancing all the time and the 'cure' word is being used more and more. Maybe a cure for myeloma won't come in my lifetime but there are very talented people working towards finding a cure for myeloma and all sorts of other diseases and there are very encouraging signs.

Of course I worry about not being here but I don't let it take over my life - I have a lot of living to do and a lot of parenting to do so I just get on with it and try and see the bright side."

Brenda is a daughter of Margaret and Mick Drumm and she works full time as communications officer for the Irish Catholic Bishop's Conference.

Speaking about Myeloma Awareness Week, Brenda said: "We are excited to be holding our second national myeloma awareness week and to be launching our first ever fundraiser to raise money for the education and support of myeloma patients and their families.

"Mugs for Myeloma is what we have called it and we are asking people to buy a mug and to support this worthy cause. What it will allow us to do is to ensure that people have a dedicated website to come to for queries and reliable information and up-to-date news by way of a newsletter.

It will also allow us to support the small number of Myeloma support groups, which we have and to maybe facilitate the setting up of others."

All the information about awareness week is available on www.mymyeloma.ie. Anyone with any concerns about cancer can call the Irish Cancer Society's national cancer helpline on 1800-200-700.

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