The Day That Changed My Life - Multiple Myeloma

The cancer journey as we all know affects all races, genders, ages - from the rich to the poor. We have seen various high profile celebrities who have lost their battle with cancer and the specific cancer is highlighted and a new awareness seems to be in the spotlight even for a moment.

Lisa Ray, a famous Canadian born Bollywood Actress (a term used for Indian films although the term is formally used in reference to Hindi Cinema)was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in June 2009. Lisa Ray shares her journey and is now a spokesperson to bring awareness to the cancer that certainly changed her life.

Multiple Myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells a type of white blood cell present in the bone marrow. The plasma cells normally make proteins (antibodies) that helps to fight infections. When a group of abnormal plasma/myeloma cells multiplies, it increases the number of plasma cells to a higher than normal level. As a result, these cells that normally make proteins causes the level of abnormal proteins in the blood to also go up. The complications of this process caused by multiple myeloma affects the bones, immune system, kidneys and red blood cell count.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme, cancer changes our lives forever.