The Winship Cancer Institute holds a special place in my heart. Of the 17,000 patients Winship serves each year, one of those patients is me.

In 2020, I received the challenge diagnosis that I had cancer. The initial diagnosis was plasmacytoma, but 90 days later the diagnosis was updated to multiple myeloma. This is a blood cancer that forms in the bone marrow and form tumors in the bone.

While I began my treatment in Chicago, where my family was residing at the time, I credit my former oncologist, Dr Agne Paner, for introducing me to Emory and Dr Ajay Nooka, a colleague of hers in the field of oncology who specializes in the treatment of multiple myeloma as part of Winship hematology care team. Dr Nooka and his team have made great strides helping multiple myeloma patients like me achieve remission through stem cell replacement procedures. He is also a clinical member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program at Winship. Dr Nooka and his team supported me and my family through this journey and with their help, I am now in remission.

The work he and his colleagues at Winship perform around prevention, treatment, and finding cures is where science becomes hope for cancer patients like me.

Your support of these ongoing efforts is essential. Every step you take will help bring us closer to a cure.

With your contribution today, real progress con continue to help save and improve the lives of others affected by cancer.

I’m so excited to be joining other supporters by participating in the Winship 5K!

Will you help me make a difference with a donation of any amount today? Or join Team Bridges and walk/run with us on October 7th!