What Tom Brokaw’s Myeloma Diagnosis Does for the Rest of Us | MyMyelomaTeam

Connect with others who understand.

sign up log in
Resources
About MyMyelomaTeam
Powered By

What Tom Brokaw’s Myeloma Diagnosis Does for the Rest of Us

Posted on April 19, 2019

In 2014, former NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw revealed he had multiple myeloma, and a wave of empathy and validation washed over the myeloma community. “Wow. Even him, too?”

Three things happen for us when a celebrity opens up about a diagnosis and shares the fact of their chronic illness with us.

First, they help to destigmatize the disease. The condition becomes more visible and relatable. Suddenly, we see our friends and family changing their attitudes toward our condition, and even toward us.

Second, we feel more hopeful and inspired in our own life. Knowing that a celebrity is facing the same day-to-day struggles we do, all while under the glare of stardom, we are more endeared toward them. We especially feel a connection when they use their voice to bring visibility to myeloma.

Finally, we feel empowered by the will of celebrities to step forward and take control of the narrative about their condition under intense media scrutiny. When they show the world what it means to live with myeloma, they offer a roadmap and inspire confidence for how we might do the same.

Whether famous or not, the public acknowledgment of one’s disease is a brave act in the face of the stigma of chronic disease. As myeloma awareness spreads, acceptance soon follows.

Is there a notable person who has inspired you? How do you feel about celebrities discussing their condition? Share in the comments below or post on MyMyelomaTeam.

Posted on April 19, 2019
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Become a Subscriber

Get the latest articles about myeloma sent to your inbox.

Related articles

This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you more s...

Self-Kindness When Struggling: 6-Minute Guided Meditation

This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you more s...
Most people ask more questions when ordering a meal at a restaurant or purchasing a cellphone tha...

36 Questions About Cancer and Myeloma To Ask Your Doctor

Most people ask more questions when ordering a meal at a restaurant or purchasing a cellphone tha...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated boosters for messenger RNA (mRN...

New COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters for Omicron: What To Know if You Have Myeloma

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated boosters for messenger RNA (mRN...
If you’ve received a myeloma diagnosis, you may be wondering how alcohol consumption can affect y...

Myeloma and Alcohol: 4 Things To Know

If you’ve received a myeloma diagnosis, you may be wondering how alcohol consumption can affect y...
Working while undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma is a personal decision with several fac...

Working With Multiple Myeloma

Working while undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma is a personal decision with several fac...
If you’re living with multiple myeloma, you’re already aware of the impact blood cancer can have...

Myeloma Awareness: How To Get Involved

If you’re living with multiple myeloma, you’re already aware of the impact blood cancer can have...

Recent articles

Telling the difference between Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) and multiple myeloma is a lit...

Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia vs. Multiple Myeloma: 4 Differences

Telling the difference between Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) and multiple myeloma is a lit...
If you or a loved one is living with multiple myeloma, you might worry about the cancer spreading...

Can Multiple Myeloma Affect the Brain?

If you or a loved one is living with multiple myeloma, you might worry about the cancer spreading...
When you’re first diagnosed with multiple myeloma, your doctor will prescribe first-line treatmen...

Refractory Myeloma: 6 Treatment Options

When you’re first diagnosed with multiple myeloma, your doctor will prescribe first-line treatmen...
Maintenance therapy for multiple myeloma consists of ongoing treatment that starts after a stem c...

6 Facts About Myeloma Maintenance Therapy

Maintenance therapy for multiple myeloma consists of ongoing treatment that starts after a stem c...
After you receive a multiple myeloma diagnosis, first-line therapies are used to control the canc...

What Is the Relapse Rate for Multiple Myeloma? 9 Treatment Options After Relapse

After you receive a multiple myeloma diagnosis, first-line therapies are used to control the canc...
Relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) is an aggressive form of myeloma that can be hard to ...

Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: What To Know

Relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) is an aggressive form of myeloma that can be hard to ...
MyMyelomaTeam My myeloma Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close