Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes is spearheading a new initiative to raise awareness of multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that claimed the life of her mother, Pamela, in 2017. The 800m and 1500m gold medallist from the Athens 2004 Olympics has partnered with Johnson & Johnson to launch the 'Get Ahead of Multiple Myeloma' campaign, aiming to educate the public about the disease and its often-missed symptoms.
Multiple myeloma affects over 33,000 people in the UK, yet a significant lack of awareness persists. Research indicates that 57% of those surveyed had never heard of the condition. Holmes expressed her dismay at this statistic: "With all blood cancers, but in particular multiple myeloma, there is a lack of awareness of what it is. It is a treatable but incurable cancer, and it is devastating to lots of families."
A Family's Shock Diagnosis
Holmes recalls the shock her family experienced when her mother was diagnosed. Pamela, who had always enjoyed good health and worked in hospitals for much of her career, exhibited symptoms that were initially attributed to other causes. "The scariest thing was that there were no real signs. We didn't know the symptoms," Holmes said. "There are symptoms that you wouldn't necessarily associate with something underlying like multiple myeloma."
Pamela had been experiencing back pain after being pulled by the dog a couple of years prior to her diagnosis. Holmes often massaged her mother's back, but eventually realised something was seriously wrong. It was a surgeon friend who suggested tests, leading to the diagnosis. Early symptoms of myeloma include fatigue, bone pain, and recurring infections—vague signs that are easily mistaken for other ailments.
The Symptom Translator Tool
To address the diagnostic challenge, Myeloma UK has developed a Symptom Translator tool to help patients articulate their symptoms to doctors. Dr Sophie Castell, Chief Executive of Myeloma UK, praised Holmes's efforts: "Myeloma is too often missed because the warning signs are misunderstood. We're so grateful to Kelly for working so hard to change that. It means that fewer families will have to go through what she and her mum did."
Castell urged the public to use the tool if they experience persistent fatigue, pain, or recurrent infections. "If something doesn't feel right, please share the Myeloma UK Symptom Translator and get those symptoms checked. Together we will make the warning signs of myeloma impossible to ignore."
A Personal Mission
Holmes and her mother were incredibly close, with Pamela supporting her throughout her golden career. After undergoing chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, Pamela passed away in 2017. Holmes described her mother as "a really strong woman" who loved walking the dog, had a great sense of humour, and was immensely proud of her daughter's achievements.
"I think when you're with people for the most massive part of your life, you just see them as a constant. But then something like this happens and you see that deterioration. It is so upsetting because she was so strong and she always lived with hope," Holmes said.
"For me, it's a real personal thing to do this campaign. I want to do it in her memory, but also so other people are able to get that early diagnosis, be supported a lot earlier and not go through the traumatic stages that a lot of patients unfortunately do."
The 'Get Ahead of Multiple Myeloma' campaign is led by Dame Kelly Holmes in partnership with Johnson & Johnson. For more information about the warning signs of multiple myeloma, and to find out how you can support Myeloma Awareness Week, visit myeloma.org.uk/warning.
