San Diego Community Rallies around Local Hero Diagnosed
with Multiple Myeloma
"Donate for Drew Day" to raise funds for the
International Myeloma Foundation, encourage bone marrow testing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2005
ENCINITAS, CA Organizations from across San Diego County will come
together for "Donate for Drew Day," an event to raise funds for the International
Myeloma Foundation (IMF) and encourage people to become part of a national
bone marrow registry in honor of Drew Spaeth, an Encinitas resident recently
diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The event will be held on Saturday,
September 10, 2005, from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. at the North Coast Presbyterian
Church in Encinitas, CA.
"Our goal is to raise awareness of multiple myeloma and generate funds for the
IMF to support education and research into this disease," said Spaeth. "We also
want to motivate people to donate their bone marrow and become part of the
National Marrow Donor Program. It's painless and easy, can actually save the
life of a person, like me, who is in need of a bone marrow transplant."
Drew Spaeth is a grateful husband, and father of two young men. He's an avid
surfer and snowboarder, baseball coach and mentor. Early last year after
experiencing symptoms of back pain and fatigue, Drew went to see his family
physician. Blood test results caused concern and he was referred to an
oncologist. Drew was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in September 2004. He
had an autologous bone marrow transplant May 16th of this year. The procedure
went well and Drew is feeling stronger every day.
"Multiple myeloma is a complex and often misdiagnosed cancer," said Susie
Novis, IMF president. "Events such as Donate for Drew Day add tremendously
to the public's understanding of myeloma and how it can be treated. We want to
thank the Spaeth family for their efforts."
Multiple myeloma attacks and destroys bone. Myeloma affects approximately
75,000 - 100,000 people in the Unites States, with more than 14,500 new cases
diagnosed this year. While there is no known cure for myeloma, doctors now
have access to new therapies that can improve the quality of life and help
patients live longer.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the Donate for Drew Day event. An
eclectic group of organizations including the San Diego Blood Bank and
individual volunteers from the United States Navy, and others will be there to
support Drew Spaeth and encourage the public to participate. Donate for Drew
Day will feature live music by Uncle Boogie, a raffle ticket drawing for a wide
range of gifts, and a silent auction. There will be plenty of family activities and
children are welcome.
For more information about the event, visit www.donatefordrew.com or contact
Danna Korn at 858-756-5313. For more information about the IMF and multiple
myeloma, visit www.myeloma.org or contact Suzanne Battaglia at 800-452-
CURE.