Tim Irwin's Multiple Myeloma Journey

As members of the Culver Academies community, we are reaching out to you with a heartfelt plea to assist our beloved friend Tim Irwin, CMA 1987.

In April of 2019, Tim was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma cancer. Multiple Myeloma is a form of cancer that can attack the bones, immune system, red blood cells, and/or kidneys. While Multiple Myeloma is not a curable form of cancer, it is treatable. In Tim’s case, it attacked his spine and pelvic area degenerating and creating holes in his bones.. His L4 and L5 vertebrae collapsed and resulted in a trip to the emergency room where ultimately doctors discovered and revealed to him his cancer diagnosis.

Since his diagnosis, Tim has received radiation therapy, a stem cell transplant along with heavy doses of chemotherapy. These procedures took place at Stanford Hospital, one of the leading research hospitals in Multiple Myeloma. The stem cell treatment should have lasted at least three years but in Tim’s case his cancer became active again after only a year and half. His change of course of treatment, focused on a chemotherapy regimen, has recently slowed his cancer activity. While initially slowing the cancer activity again, the treatment results only lasted another year. Tim’s latest course of treatment is based on MRNA therapy which has been keeping the cancer at bay for the last 10 months even though he has had additional issues with his back and yet another vertebra (L3) collapse for which he will likely require surgery to relieve a pinched nerve.

Tim is a lifelong foodie! After a successful career as chef, Tim worked in the food distribution industry for over 13 years and focused on serving Napa, Sonoma and Marin Counties. He was able to work for a period of time after his diagnosis but with the progression of the disease and increased pain, it became untenable for him to continue to work. Tim was able to rely on state disability for 13 months but his disability benefits ran out in September of 2020. Recently he was able to secure a part time job but due to treatments and his continued pain he is not able to take on a full-time position. He is currently searching for a full-time position with less physical demands.

The past four years have been an incredibly difficult time for Tim and his family as they have been forced to endure the challenges of being outside of the full-time workforce. This has led to a significant financial burden, which has resulted in Tim accumulating substantial credit card debt as he strives to support himself and his wife. Adding to their woes, Tim's wife was out of work for an extended period during the COVID pandemic, leaving them in a particularly dire financial situation. As the manager of the employee cafeteria at the San Francisco Convention Center, her loss of employment has only added to the already considerable financial strain on their family.

Tim is on an arduous journey with this illness, and it is essential that he and his family focus on his treatment and recovery without the added stress of worrying about their financial situation. By donating generously, you can help ensure that they can continue to keep up with their bills and focus on healing.

As you can imagine this has created intense pain in his back and hips but TIM made it to our 30th and 35th REUNIONS with his jovial spirited and all around good guy, friendly attitude that NEVER FAILS!

The Culver Academy graduating classes of our era are a truly exceptional group of individuals who regularly demonstrate their enduring love for one another. Please come together as a community and support Tim and his family in this challenging time. Every dollar counts, and any contribution that you can make will make a tremendous difference in their lives.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.

All the best,

HIll Bleakley, Mea Leeman and Ed Kress