Dame Kelly Holmes shares the deeply personal story of losing her mother, Pam, to multiple myeloma to raise awareness of a blood cancer that many people have never heard of. Pam was diagnosed at 62, after months of seemingly unrelated symptoms, including recurring flu-like illnesses, back pain, fatigue and a broken arm. The diagnoses came as quite a shock to the family, as many of these symptoms can be related to other illnesses or can be vague and easily dismissed. Pam received treatment, and never stopped fighting but in 2016 the cancer returned, and Holmes’ mother, Pam, died at the age of 65.
Motivated by losing her mother to this disease, Holmes hopes that by sharing her family’s experience, more people will recognise the warning signs of multiple myeloma and seek medical advice early. While the disease remains incurable, advances in treatment mean many people are now living longer and with a better quality of life when diagnosed sooner.
Reflecting on her mother’s resilience, humour and determination, Holmes encourages anyone experiencing persistent or unexplained symptoms to speak to their GP. Her message is clear: knowing your body, asking questions and seeking help early could make a significant difference to treatment options and outcomes.
