Mimi Laffan talks to Adele Miner, from the IrishCountryMagazine.ie about her journey with multiple myeloma and raising awareness through the Multiple Myeloma Ireland’s (MMI) ‘Rooted in Resilience’ awareness campaign.
Waterford nurse and grandmother Mimi Laffan does not let her multiple myeloma diagnosis stop her from living her life. Symptoms of persistent infections and abnormal blood results led to Mimi’s diagnoses of multiple myeloma in 2023, and although myeloma is incurable, Mimi is currently in remission.
Through the challenges of treatment and recovery, Mimi has embraced a mindset centred on resilience, hope and finding joy in everyday moments. Family, time outdoors, exercise and connecting with others affected by myeloma have become important sources of strength. Mimi has been able to give back to her community by establishing a local myeloma support group in Waterford and is also preparing for the Iceland myeloma Cycle, a 100 miles cycle across Iceland to raise funds for multiple myeloma research.
As part of the “Rooted in Resilience” awareness campaign ran by Multiple Myeloma Ireland, Mimi hopes to increase understanding of multiple myeloma and encourage people to recognise potential symptoms early. Her message to others facing a diagnosis is simple but powerful: take one step at a time, seek support, and hold on to hope. While myeloma has changed her life, she says it has also shown her the value of community, research, resilience and finding joy in the ordinary.
