In recent years, two of my Texas Aggie friends, Carrie Giles Freeman and Megan Morley Haverland, have lost their fathers to a type of blood cancer called multiple myeloma. Prior to their parents’ battles, I had never even heard of the disease.
A few months ago, Carrie, Megan and I decided to turn my #texasstrong shirts maroon for Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month this March, in hopes of spreading the word and supporting research for this devastating cancer.
In multiple myeloma, malignant plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, crowding out the normal plasma cells that help fight infections. These malignant plasma cells then produce abnormal proteins (m protein) which may cause tumors, damage the kidneys, and impair immune system function. In some cases, the malignant cells may cause a single tumor, called a solitary plasmacytoma, but if multiple tumors are formed, then the disease is called multiple myeloma.
Carrie and Sarah with their dad, Mike Giles
Remembering Mike
Carrie and her sister, Sarah (also an Aggie), lost their dad, Michael Giles, in 2012, after a valiant battle against multiple myeloma. Soon after, they also lost their mom, Deborah, to a different type of blood cancer.
Mike was born in Austin, and, while he didn’t graduate from Texas A&M, he rooted for the Aggies and loved watching the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band perform at Kyle Field. He will be remembered for his quick wit and coined phrases. Mike’s daughters miss his weather updates, his cautionary tales, his daily phone check-ins, and his free advice.
Megan with her dad, Col. Tom Morley
Remembering Tom
Megan lost her dad, Col. Thomas V. Morley, Jr., USA (Retired), in 2013, after a valiant battle against multiple myeloma. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
Tom was a member of the Class of ’78 and reserved a special place in his heart for both Texas A&M and his hometown of Pittsburgh. Following the Aggies, Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates gave him great joy or misery, depending on the success of the season. Tom’s quick wit always kept life entertaining. Megan, her brother, Sean, and her mom, Kris, all miss him dearly.
This is a big week–my mother-in-law celebrated her 60th birthday Sunday, my husband and I celebrate 8 years of marriage today and, this weekend, I’ll celebrate community by reuniting with a few of my For the Love launch team sisters who live in central Texas. I’ve told you that last year was all about community. Fundraisers,…
2015 Texas Strong Timeline 2015 Texas Strong was all about community for me. When I talked to a publishing consultant friend about my children’s book months ago, she told me I first needed to build my online presence. Little did I know what was in store for this year. In March, I learned that author…
We lost my stepmom a year ago, this month. Before I knew Karen, and before my dad met Karen, she lived in South Africa for many years with her late husband. Unable to ever have biological children of her own, she fell in love with Africa and adopted its many children into her heart. Going…
The final installment in this winter’s Permission to Grieve guest post series comes from my beloved friend and For the Love launch team sister Melinda Mattson. She shows us what grieving well actually looks like. Permission to Grieve What grieving well looks like A few months after my mom died, my dear friend asked me…
One year ago, I was bewildered by the success of a simple design I created on my husband’s laptop on a rainy Saturday morning. I’m no graphic designer or professional fundraiser, just a creative type who really loves her state. Still Texas Strong one year later Feeling helpless to do anything for the victims of…
