Local man undergoes 3 stem cell transplants to battle incurable blood cancer

NEWS RELEASE
MYELOMA CANADA
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Bob McCaw describes himself as a ‘true Canadian lad’ who grew up watching hockey and hanging around airplanes at an early age. Bob was to start a new job when he noticed pain in his right hip. Initially, he didn’t think it was too serious, but decided to consult his doctor, who told him the pain was likely due to a pulled muscle.

Over the next few weeks, the pain worsened, and Bob started to feel major discomfort while driving his car. Sensing something wasn’t right, he made another appointment with his doctor who sent him for an x-ray. The results revealed several lesions on his hip bone. His doctor suspected that Bob may have multiple myeloma, a little-known and incurable blood cancer. He was just 58 years old.

“I was diagnosed with a suspicion of myeloma. To my doctor’s credit, he referred me to an oncologist right away who ordered a bone marrow biopsy and specialized blood work. Shortly after, my multiple myeloma diagnosis was confirmed, I was told I had three to five years to live,” remembers Bob. “That was a real blow.”  

Bob was fortunate to be tested and diagnosed early before the disease advanced to a stage where life expectancy drops, and viable treatments are limited. “It’s very important that myeloma patients get diagnosed as soon as possible to nip the cancer in the bud and start treatments before it's too late,” adds Bob.

Getting an early diagnosis meant Bob was eligible for a stem cell transplant. Little did he know at the time that he would undergo the procedure three times to keep the cancer at bay. To prepare his body for each transplant, Bob received aggressive rounds of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, his initial transplant in 2008 wasn’t successful, and Bob had to undergo a second one within a few months.

Thankfully, the second stem cell transplant was successful and put his myeloma in remission for nine years. Sadly, that’s not the end of Bob’s story. His myeloma resurfaced in 2017 and he suffered painful rib and compression fractures as a result. The best course of action at the time was a third stem cell transplant, an extremely rare treatment.  

Bob’s myeloma has been under control for almost 16 years. He is extremely grateful to major advances in new drug therapies that have improved his quality and duration of life. Today, Bob is leading an almost-normal life on a drug maintenance program that he hopes will keep his cancer in check.

Although he regrets having to swap his daily jog for an elliptical training machine, Bob is happy to be able to work part-time in a job that takes him across Ontario and Québec and, most importantly, he considers it a true blessing to be able to watch his niece, Andora, excel in high school and be part of her life, as well as to see his nephews Warren, Gordon, Boyd, and his great nephew, Christian, continue to grow and do well. Bob has also found that volunteering with Myeloma Canada and Myeloma Support Groups in Newmarket and Toronto to be very rewarding.

“One of the reasons why I'm still here, alive and talking, is that research has come such a long way,” says Bob. “We are blessed in Canada to have some incredible research doctors that are developing new treatments that prolong life, with the goal of finding a cure.” 

Committed to finding a cure and actively supporting the myeloma community in his capacity as an executive member of the Toronto District and the York Region Myeloma Canada Patient Support Groups, Bob is also lacing-up to raise awareness and critical funds at the 3rd Annual Newmarket Multiple Myeloma March, taking place on Sept. 26, 2021, at 9 a.m. The financial objective for their 5 km walk/run is set at $50,000. 

This year’s 5 km walk/run has been modified to help stop the spread of COVID-19. In compliance with physical distancing measures, participants are encouraged to hold their own walk in their neighbourhood at the same time as the regularly scheduled March on September 26, 2021. For more information, click here.

Leading his team, Bob’s Myeloma Warriors, Bob has set a team fundraising goal of $3,500 and a personal one of $1,500.  

“As we continue to raise awareness of myeloma, we are getting closer to reaching a cure than ever before,” says Martine Elias, Executive Director of Myeloma Canada. “Now is an exciting and encouraging time in myeloma research. There are many new clinical advances being made to help improve the quality and length of life of those living with this disease. That’s why it is crucial that we continue to raise funds for research, so that sooner than later, a cure for myeloma will be found.”

The Multiple Myeloma March, Myeloma Canada’s annual flagship fundraiser, is now in its 13th year with a national fundraising goal set at $600,000. Funds raised by the March will support Myeloma Canada’s Priority Setting Partnership (PSP), a unique initiative that uses community input to identify and define future investments in myeloma research, as well as the Canadian Myeloma Research Group (CMRG) to help further Canadian research, clinical trials and the National Myeloma Database. All investments go toward improving the lives of those living with myeloma, advocating for access to new drug therapies, and keeping the needle moving forward toward finding a cure.

The Newmarket Multiple Myeloma March is one of 32 communities across the country participating in Myeloma Canada’s nation-wide event. For Canadians not located near a live March or who wish to participate on their own, there is also a virtual March option. All in-person events will be in full compliance with COVID-19 health and safety measures.