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Multiple Myeloma- Tom Brokaw, Celebrities, Survivor Stories

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Celebrities With Multiple Myeloma: Tom Brokaw & Survivor Stories- Discover celebrities diagnosed with multiple myeloma, including Tom Brokaw, and what their stories reveal about survival, treatment, and managing this chronic blood cancer.

Which celebrities have multiple myeloma? 

Several well-known public figures have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, including Tom Brokaw, Colin Powell, and Geraldine Ferraro. Their experiences highlight both the challenges of this blood cancer and the reality that many patients can live for years with proper treatment, monitoring, and supportive care.

Why Celebrity Cancer Stories Matter

A diagnosis of multiple myeloma can feel overwhelming. Hearing about well-known individuals who have faced the same disease can:

  • Provide hope and perspective
  • Highlight advances in treatment
  • Reinforce that multiple myeloma is often a manageable chronic condition
  • Offer lessons about long-term survivorship

I am a long-term MM survivor and MM cancer coach who has lived in complete remission from MM since 4/99. I feel a kinship to all those celebrities who live with and perhaps die from multiple myeloma—especially long-term celebrity myeloma (MM) survivors.

I apologize if this blog post is a bit morbid but I know many people surviving Multiple Myeloma who wonder about others who have had MM.

Which celebrities have multiple myeloma?”

Six of my personal favorite MM survivors are:

  • James Bond (okay, not well-known, but Jim was a friend of mine…)
  • Colin Powel
  • Sam Walton
  • Tom Brokaw
  • Mark Lenard
  • Queen Elizabeth II

It is interesting to read what a famous MM celebrity survivor like Tom Brokaw writes about when talking about living with MM.   Tom is not an oncologist. He is one of us. And he is quite articulate when he talks about MM.

The long and growing list of FDA-approved chemotherapy regimens is important but understand that:

  1. Oncology routinely tells newly diagnosed MMers that an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) will extend their lives by 10 years or more. Long remissions happen. But the average survival of a newly diagnosed MMer is 4-6 years according to the American Cancer Society.
  2. Living with MM is expensive. Even with health insurance.
  3. Side effects ranging from nerve damage, blood clots, chemobrain, and more can dominate your life forever.
  4. Living with multiple myeloma is a full-time job.

Consider evidence-based, non-toxic, anti-MM nutrition, supplementation, bone health, lifestyle, and mind-body therapies.

Please watch the video below to learn more about the evidence-based, integrative therapies to combat treatment side effects and enhance your chemotherapy.

Have you been diagnosed with MM? Are you a celebrity? Or not. Makes no difference…

Please scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

Thank you,

David Emerson

  • MM Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

To learn more about multiple myeloma:

Concepts Central to Managing Your Cancer

James Bond- Surviving Multiple Myeloma Since 1992-

“…There is much more to their story than time allows at these gatherings. During Jim’s stay-at-home time due to Covid 19, he wrote a book, which his wife and daughter-in-law, Stacey reviewed. Stacey suggested the title, and The Man in the Arena: Surviving Multiple Myeloma Since 1992 was published in 2021.  Jim will donate profit from the book to the IMF, American Cancer Society, University Hospitals of Cleveland ,the Bone Marrow Registry, Dana Farber Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society–each of which are critical to their ongoing story…”

Celebrities Diagnosed With Multiple Myeloma

Tom Brokaw: Learning to Live With Cancer

Image for the news result
“Three years ago, at age 73, I learned that I had an incurable cancer called multiple myeloma. At the time the statistical life span for patients with the disease was five years…That number has not changed…
The cancer is in remission, and I take the word of my medical team that I am doing well and should beat the standard life expectancy…
Even in remission, cancer alters a patient’s perception of what’s normal. Morning, noon and night, asleep and awake, malignant cells are determined to alter or end your life. Combating cancer is a full-time job that, in my case, requires 24 pills a day, including one that runs $500 a dose…
  • Diagnosis: 2013
  • Outcome: Long-term survivor
  • Key Lesson: Myeloma can often be managed over many years

Tom Brokaw, longtime NBC Nightly News anchor, publicly disclosed his diagnosis in 2014. He underwent treatment and has lived with the disease for over a decade.

👉 Takeaway:
Multiple myeloma is increasingly treated as a chronic illness, not an immediate terminal diagnosis.

Colin Powell

  • Diagnosis: Later in life
  • Outcome: Passed away (2021)
  • Key Lesson: Age and comorbidities matter

Colin Powell battled multiple myeloma later in life and ultimately died from complications related to COVID-19 while managing the disease.

👉 Takeaway:
Older patients or those with weakened immune systems face higher risks.

Geraldine Ferraro

  • Diagnosis: 1998
  • Outcome: Lived for over a decade with the disease
  • Key Lesson: Long-term survival is possible

Ferraro lived with multiple myeloma for 12 years, undergoing various treatments.

👉 Takeaway:
Even earlier-generation therapies allowed for extended survival—today’s outcomes are improving further.

What Multiple Myeloma Patients Can Learn From These Survivors

Celebrity stories aren’t just inspirational—they reveal important truths about living with myeloma:

1. Multiple Myeloma Is Often a Long-Term Disease

Many patients live 5–15+ years, especially with modern therapies.

2. Treatment Is Ongoing

Myeloma typically involves:

  • Induction therapy
  • Maintenance therapy
  • Relapse management

👉 Learn more:

  • Internal link: Multiple Myeloma Need-to-Know Guide
  • Internal link: Time Burden of Multiple Myeloma Treatment

3. Side Effect Management Is Critical

Fatigue, neuropathy, and immune suppression are common.

👉 Related PBC content:

4. Integrative Therapies Can Support Outcomes

Many survivors use complementary approaches to:

  • Reduce toxicity
  • Improve quality of life
  • Support immune function

👉 Internal links:

What Research Says About Multiple Myeloma Survival

Multiple myeloma treatment has improved dramatically over the past two decades.

Key insights:

  • Median survival has increased significantly with novel therapies
  • Maintenance therapy prolongs remission
  • Stem cell transplant remains a standard option for eligible patients

📚 Evidence-Based Research (PubMed Links)

Comparison Table: Celebrity Outcomes

Celebrity Diagnosis Year Outcome Key Lesson
Tom Brokaw 2013 Long-term survival Chronic disease management
Colin Powell — Deceased Risk increases with age/comorbidities
Geraldine Ferraro 1998 12-year survival Long-term survival possible

FAQ: Multiple Myeloma & Survivorship

Is multiple myeloma curable?

Multiple myeloma is generally considered treatable but not curable, though many patients achieve long-term remission.

How long can you live with multiple myeloma?

Survival varies widely, but many patients live 5–15+ years, especially with modern therapies.

What treatments do patients typically receive?

  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Stem cell transplant

Can lifestyle changes help?

Yes. Diet, exercise, and integrative therapies may improve:

  • Energy levels
  • Immune function
  • Quality of life

How to Take Control of Your Multiple Myeloma Journey

If you’ve been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, your goal should be:

👉 Maximize survival + minimize toxicity

Steps to consider:

  • Learn your treatment options
  • Manage side effects proactively
  • Explore evidence-based integrative therapies
  • Focus on long-term survivorship

Final Thought

Celebrity stories like those of Tom Brokaw and others reinforce a powerful truth:

👉 Multiple myeloma is no longer just a fatal diagnosis—it is increasingly a disease that can be managed for years.

With the right combination of conventional treatment, supportive care, and informed decision-making, long-term survivorship is possible.

Celebrities With Multiple Myeloma Celebrities With Multiple Myeloma

 

Leave a Comment:

8 comments
Linda Pierce says last year

I just wanted to let you know that I have multiple myeloma and just finished having a Stem Cell Transplant. Thank you for being a great example for others. If you know of any foundations I can reach out to apply for any financial assistance I would appreciate it.

Reply
Graham Alexander says last year

I probably good mm from high dose radiation in the eighties. In retrospect I had signs of it when I was fifty. I am now 74. I went through a stem cell transplant and chemo about 17 years ago and years of dexamethasone. The Dec made my life miserable so I stopped it. Now I take daily high dose circumin and I now have no trace of mm in my bloodwork. To the delight of my haematologist who was very sceptical of my decision. If there is any one out there that would be interested in my story and success I would be more than happy to help. Just email me.

Reply
    David Emerson says last year

    Hi Graham-

    Thanks for your input. Good luck,

    David Emerson

    Reply
    Luc says last year

    Hi. I’m just diagnosed with MM

    Reply
      David Emerson says last year

      Hi Luc-

      Let me know if you have any questions about your MM diagnosis. Good luck.

      David Emerson

      Reply
    Theresa Cantrell says last year

    How much Curcumin and mixed how?

    Reply
      David Emerson says last year

      Hi Teresa-

      Studies of curcumin vary when taking about dosing. I take a maintenance dose as I am in remission and plan on taking curcumin for the rest of my life so I take one capsule or 500 milligrams. daily. Many with active MM take doses of 2,4,6 grams daily. Many formulas/brands of curcumin have been “bioenhanced” meaning more of the good stuff, curcuminoids, gets into the blood stream.

      All to say I take capsules of curcumin, not raw or powder curcumin.

      Good luck,

      David Emerson

      Reply
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