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Myeloma
Myeloma is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells. Specifically, it affects the plasma cells. Plasma cells create antibodies. These antibodies help a patient’s body find germs and fight off infection. Myeloma occurs when unhealthy or cancer cells gather in bone marrow. These cancer cells overcrowd the normal blood cells. The cancer cells cannot make normal antibodies, instead they make irregular proteins. These irregular proteins can cause problems in the body. In 2018, the estimated number of new myeloma cases of 30,770 in the US. In the US, 50.7% of patients survive after 5 Years or more of being diagnosed with myeloma. This means out of 100 patients with myeloma, about 50 patients have survived the disease for 5 years or more. Risk Factors Factors that can increase your chances of having myeloma include:
The signs and symptoms myeloma can be different for every person. There may not be signs early on for patients with myeloma. When and if there are symptoms, a patient might experience bone aches, nausea, constipation, a loss of appetite/hunger, foggy thoughts or confusion, fatigue, repeated infections, patients may feel more thirsty than usual, patients may lose weight, legs may feel weak or numb. Diagnosis There are several tests that can help diagnosis myeloma. Some of these tests may be conducted by your provider if they suspect Myeloma. Your doctor may find myeloma by coincidence with some routine tests. These tests include:
Treatment Options
Before a transplant there are a few steps that are taken. Progenitor or Stem blood cells are collected. Chemotherapy is then used to kill off the sickly bone marrow cells. The healthy stem cells are then injected back into the body and help to recreate healthy bone marrow cells.
References: “Cancer Stat Facts: Myeloma.” National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute, 2019, https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/mulmy.html “Multiple-Myeloma.” Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-myeloma/symptoms-causes/syc-20353378 . Web links about Myleloma: Patient education: Multiple myeloma symptoms, diagnosis, and staging (Beyond the Basics) https://www.uptodate.com/contents/multiple-myeloma-symptoms-diagnosis-and-staging-beyond-the-basics Plasma Cell Neoplasms (Including Multiple Myeloma)—Patient Version https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloma Multiple Myeloma https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/blood-disorders/plasma-cell-disorders/multiple-myeloma Multiple Myeloma https://medlineplus.gov/multiplemyeloma.html What Is Multiple Myeloma? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/about/what-is-multiple-myeloma.html
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SAVE THE DATE! SUNDAY, MARCH 17TH | 4-7PM  Enjoy an evening of Bowling (with or without Brews, we'll leave that up to you!) on St. Patty's Day, Sunday, March 17th to benefit The Rob Branham Foundation.
Lessard Lanes 136 New Britain Ave, Plainville, CT 06062 Tickets are $50 for adults and $40 for children 12 and under Ticket price includes:
Event Sponsorships Available! Partner with The Rob Branham Foundation for our annual St. Patrick's Day event, Bowl & Brews! For more information contact Carol Reilly. 
Rob was raised in Stamford, and lived the last 17 years of his life in Simsbury. He was an avid runner and water skier, loved music, and collected antique radios and televisions. He began his broadcasting career in high school, and worked at leading radio and television stations throughout Connecticut. Rob’s honesty and integrity built him a reputation as a hard-working, well-respected salesman.
He proudly worked for 10 years as a volunteer reader for the blind on the Connecticut Radio Information System (CRIS). He also participated in various fundraisers sponsored by Fidelco, the Advertising Club of CT, and the Leukemia Society. Rob’s international search for a non-related marrow donor sparked great interest in and compassion for other people stricken with leukemia who were not as fortunate to find donors. He made a pledge to himself that, after his recovery, he would actively work to recruit potential bone marrow donors, especially for minority populations. Rob was diagnosed with leukemia in January 1992. After a year and a half search for a non-related donor, Rob underwent a bone marrow transplant at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. The transplant was successful, and on September 3, 1993, Rob went home to begin his recovery. During this time, unexpected complications arose, which eventually claimed Rob’s life on October 12, 1993, at the young age of 43. Thanks to all of our sponsors, vendors, advertisers, dogs, and people who came out to Raise a Paw Against Leukemia on Sunday, September 30! The weather was perfect, the pooches well behaved, and vendors’ products and services amazing! Our hosts - Renee DiNino, Erika Arias, and Steve Parker - were a special highlight for us. Whether you and your pooch ‘raised a paw’ on the dog challenge course, at the Pet Poses booth, by winning a drawing prize, or by visiting vendors, YOUR support helps The Rob Branham Foundation build awareness of the need to support CT families fighting blood cancers. Hope to see you, your pooch and your posse next year at Raise a Paw Against Leukemia on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at Simsbury Meadows!  Raise a Paw Against Leukemia (formerly known as Woofstock) will be the event of the fall for dogs and their people Hosted by Renee DiNino of iHeart Media and Steve Parker of WTIC-AM! Raise a Paw 2018 will include several exciting and fun features:
Raise a Paw is not only a great event for people, their dogs, and businesses; it’s also a fundraising event for The Rob Branham Foundation, a CT charity that provides financial assistance to CT families fighting leukemia and other blood cancers. Over the past decade, this critical support for families has helped them pay their mortgage or rent, utility and insurance bills, and provide groceries for their families as they deal with the daily stresses of a potential fatal disease. Help us ‘Raise a Paw’ against leukemia and other blood cancers - hope to see you and your dog there!
Interested in becoming a Raise A Paw Sponsor or Vendor?
DOWNLOAD SPONSOR/VENDOR INFO DOWNLOAD SPONSOR/VENDOR COMMITMENT FORM Join us on Sunday, September 30th to celebrate National Blood Cancer Awareness month at Raise A Paw Against Leukemia at Simsbury Meadows from 10am to 2pm. In addition to our Vendor Fair, Food Trucks and Pet Portraits we will be hosting a Dog Walk and Challenge Course to benefit families fighting blood cancer right here in Connecticut. The Dog Walk is a leisurely stroll around the perimeter of the Challenge Course, go at your own pace, go around as many times as you like! Don't tucker your pooch out on the walk before they have a chance to test their agility on our 10 obstacle Challenge Course! Don't worry, it's just for fun and we will have volunteers on hand to show you the ropes and even snap a pic for you if you'd like! Pre-Registration for the Dog Walk & Challenge Course is OPEN NOW and just $15 per dog to participate! REGISTER NOW  challenge course obstacles
We would like to thank our Challenge Course Sponsors for their support          Celebrate National Blood Cancer Awareness month at Raise A Paw Against Leukemia on Sunday, September 30th at Simsbury Meadows from 10am to 2pm. Raise A Paw will feature a Vendor Fair as well as...
Our VENDOR list continues to grow...right now here's the list of those confirmed to attend:  Our Vendor Fair is FREE to attend but we require that all attendees complete a liability waiver. Save time and fill it out ahead of time online!
Another wonderful reason to come to Raise A Paw Against Leukemia on September 30th at Simsbury Meadows… pet portraits! Photo by Sharon Leger Photography Stop by the Pet Poses booth at our Vendor Fair from 10am to 2pm for your pups mini photo session courtesy of Sharon Leger Photography with your $5 donation to the Rob Branham Foundation. You’ll have two backdrops to choose from - one generic and one holiday themed so you can get a jump on your holiday cards! Special thanks to Sharon for donating her time and services! Our Vendor Fair is FREE to attend but we require that all attendees complete a liability waiver. Save time and fill it out ahead of time online! All proceeds from Pet Poses support the Rob Branham Foundation and families fighting blood cancer in Connecticut. You must sign the release to participate or attend Raise A Paw Against Leukemia. By participating or attending Raise A Paw Against Leukemia you are acknowledging that your participation is entirely at your own discretion and risk. RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT RAISE A PAW AGAINST LEUKEMIA PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY. It affects any rights you may have if you and/or your dog and/or any other animal you own are injured or otherwise suffer damages while attending Raise A Paw Against Leukemia 2018. I understand that there are inherent risks associated with exposing an animal(s) in a dog/animal show environment including, but not limited to, contact with other dogs/animals who may be carrying contagious organisms, or dogs/animals who may become aggressive in this situation. I also understand that there is a significant risk of introducing infectious disease when bringing in dogs/animals from another location that may not be of the same health status as the "home" location, especially if introduced without an appropriate isolation/quarantine time period. I assume full responsibility for any risk, loss, property damage, and/or personal injury that may be sustained by me, and/or any loss or damage to my dog/animal and/or any property owned by me as a result of my attendance at Raise A Paw Against Leukemia 2018. I hereby RELEASE FROM LIABILITY, WAIVE, DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the The Rob Branham Foundation, Inc., the organizers of Raise A Paw Against Leukemia 2018, and any of the officers, servants, agents and/or employees of the above-mentioned individuals and/or entities (hereinafter referred to as RELEASEES) for any liability, claim and/or cause of action arising out of, or related to, any loss, damage and/or injury, including death, that occurs as a result of attending Raise A Paw Against Leukemia 2018. I agree TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE RELEASEES, whether the injury or damages are caused by my negligence, the negligence of the RELEASEES, and/or the negligence of any third party. I further agree that this Release and Hold Harmless Agreement shall bind the members of my family and spouse, if I am alive, and my heirs, assigns and personal representatives (if any), if I am deceased, and shall be deemed as a RELEASE, WAIVER, DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the above-named RELEASEES. I hereby further agree that this Release and Hold Harmless Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut. If any portion of this Release and Hold Harmless Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, or excessively broad, I agree that the remaining covenants and restrictions or portions thereof shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest degree possible to achieve the purpose of this Release and Hold Harmless Agreement and to afford the Releasees the maximum protections allowed by law. I agree that the Court shall construe any invalid or unenforceable provisions in the manner that most closely reflects the effect and intent of the original language. By signing this Release and Hold Harmless Agreement, I state that I have read and understand the conditions set forth in this release and that I agree to all conditions set forth herein, and that I sign this voluntarily with full knowledge that I am forfeiting certain legal rights. |
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