Multiple Myeloma: Mad at Myeloma
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Cancer Fighter’s No Quitter: Please Help
My friend Keven Drews has been battling cancer for 14 of the nearly 20 years we have known each other, but he’s now running out of chances, and his only hope is a clinical trial in Seattle, Wash.
Yes: the expected cost is staggering, but Kev’s no quitter, and neither are we—his friends and family.
We’re asking you to help support Kev, his wife and kids as they confront their biggest challenge to date.
Please.
When I first met Kev on the west coast of Vancouver Island in 1996, he was madly in love with his fiancée Yvette (Vet to our family), and was a fit, outdoorsy guy, (former half- and full-marathon runner!), surfer, with a great sense of humor.
Vet, like me, is an Aussie, so we developed an instant bond. She quickly began playing a huge part in helping us out, and with Kev, they became like family.
Too bad tough times were right around the corner.
Kev was diagnosed in 2003 with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells, and has since stomached the rollercoaster ride of cancer treatments, remissions and relapses.
A few years later, Kev and Vet withstood the sometimes heartbreaking and costly attempt to conceive and were finally blessed in 2010 with twins, Tristan and Elleree—total sweeties. Tristan is on the autism spectrum, which pushed the family from Vancouver Island’s west coast to Metro Vancouver for more-accessible services.
Kev’s cancer treatment continued in Vancouver, though his latest myeloma therapy is failing.
His last chance will likely be a clinical trial that’s developing CAR T cell therapy. The treatment would see workers remove from his body and then re-engineer in a lab T cells, the immune system’s killer cells, before infusing them back into his blood stream to attack the cancer.
For Kev to participate, we need to raise at least US$500,000. Because Kev has no private insurance in the U.S., he’ll have to deposit the money to cover anticipated costs before treatment can begin.
It seems like a staggering amount, but I believe we have the confidence and passion to do it.
Remember: every little bit counts.
Keep watching this and his Mad at Myeloma Facebook page for updates.
For now, Kev’s on medical leave from The Canadian Press news service. Vet is a teacher working with students with special needs in Surrey. The twins are in elementary school, doing well.
Help Kev live. Help him in the fight of his life.
Sally Mole
Ucluelet, B.C.
Click here to follow Mad at Myeloma on Facebook
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Click here to follow Mad at Myeloma on YouTube
My friend Keven Drews has been battling cancer for 14 of the nearly 20 years we have known each other, but he’s now running out of chances, and his only hope is a clinical trial in Seattle, Wash.
Yes: the expected cost is staggering, but Kev’s no quitter, and neither are we—his friends and family.
We’re asking you to help support Kev, his wife and kids as they confront their biggest challenge to date.
Please.
When I first met Kev on the west coast of Vancouver Island in 1996, he was madly in love with his fiancée Yvette (Vet to our family), and was a fit, outdoorsy guy, (former half- and full-marathon runner!), surfer, with a great sense of humor.
Vet, like me, is an Aussie, so we developed an instant bond. She quickly began playing a huge part in helping us out, and with Kev, they became like family.
Too bad tough times were right around the corner.
Kev was diagnosed in 2003 with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells, and has since stomached the rollercoaster ride of cancer treatments, remissions and relapses.
A few years later, Kev and Vet withstood the sometimes heartbreaking and costly attempt to conceive and were finally blessed in 2010 with twins, Tristan and Elleree—total sweeties. Tristan is on the autism spectrum, which pushed the family from Vancouver Island’s west coast to Metro Vancouver for more-accessible services.
Kev’s cancer treatment continued in Vancouver, though his latest myeloma therapy is failing.
His last chance will likely be a clinical trial that’s developing CAR T cell therapy. The treatment would see workers remove from his body and then re-engineer in a lab T cells, the immune system’s killer cells, before infusing them back into his blood stream to attack the cancer.
For Kev to participate, we need to raise at least US$500,000. Because Kev has no private insurance in the U.S., he’ll have to deposit the money to cover anticipated costs before treatment can begin.
It seems like a staggering amount, but I believe we have the confidence and passion to do it.
Remember: every little bit counts.
Keep watching this and his Mad at Myeloma Facebook page for updates.
For now, Kev’s on medical leave from The Canadian Press news service. Vet is a teacher working with students with special needs in Surrey. The twins are in elementary school, doing well.
Help Kev live. Help him in the fight of his life.
Sally Mole
Ucluelet, B.C.
Click here to follow Mad at Myeloma on Facebook
Click here to follow Mad at Myeloma on Twitter
Click here to follow Mad at Myeloma on YouTube
Organizer and beneficiary
Sally Mole
Organizer
Vancouver, BC
Yvette Drews
Beneficiary