Kilkenny businesswoman living with Multiple Myeloma appeals for support for Miles for Myeloma fundraiser

A well-known Kilkenny businesswoman who has been living with the blood cancer, Multiple Myeloma, for three years has appealed to people in the county to support a ‘Miles for Myeloma’ fundraising campaign which will take place virtually all over Ireland throughout September.

Mags Kirwan, (59), co-owner of the successful Goatsbridge Trout Farm in Thomastown, said the campaign - launched this week by Multiple Myeloma Ireland - is inviting walkers, runners, cyclists and swimmers to clock up 'Miles for Myeloma'. Open to all, including multiple myeloma patients, family, friends, and health care practitioners, participants are encouraged to set goals to promote exercise, raise funds and spread the message of living well with the blood cancer. 

Mags was first diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma three years ago and says there is still a huge fear factor around it, with people often presuming the worst when they are told they have the illness. “But with the proper treatment the reality is people can live very well with the disease and for a long period.”
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According to Multiple Myeloma Ireland there are approximately 350 new cases of multiple myeloma diagnosed in the country every year. But the organisation is keen to have a data base established to properly track the cases. MMI Board Chair member, Mary Kelly, said: “Thankfully with improved treatments people can have a good quality of life and can live well with this disease. But a lot more needs to be done to raise awareness. A data base tracking cases and seeing how well and how long people are living with the disease is very important and will help banish a lot of the disinformation around it.”

Mags, who is married to Ger Kirwan and mother of four children ranging from 25 down to 18 years is an accomplished Triathlete and was always very active.

“I do a lot of training and in more recent years I have been a triathlete and have competed in lots of competitions. The first sign something was wrong was over 3 years ago. I had a pain in my shoulder and thought I had pulled something. I went to physio and had treatment for ten weeks but the pain started to get worse.”

She said after the course of physio her GP took bloods and referred her for an MRI on her shoulder. He called her to say he was concerned at the blood results and at the fact she had a “mass” on her shoulder. “I was shocked and very concerned. I was referred to Gary O Toole in Cappagh, a well-known cancer bone specialist. He initially diagnosed a form of blood cancer Plasma Sytoma, and suggested I get a bone biopsy to clarify it had not spread from my bone.”

Haematologist Brian Hennessy who is based in Waterford referred Mags for a pet scan and bone biopsy and he diagnosed full blown Multiple Myeloma.

Mags, who was going through a significant development on Goatsbridge Trout farm at the time, said: “I was very upset as I had no idea what Multiple Myeloma was, or about blood cancers. I had heard of Leukaemia. But Brian was so positive and said it was caught early, was isolated and had not spread.  He reassured me about advances in medicine and talked about the treatment available now and the treatments that were coming on stream. He also emphasised the importance of good mental health side and about living with this cancer. He put a plan in place and once that happened I felt positive and thought “these are the cards I have been dealt I have to deal with it” and I haven’t looked back since then.”

Following eight months of chemotherapy, injections, bloods, and bone strengthening treatments Mags had a stem cell transplant in December 2021.

“It was tough. I was in isolation but I didn’t fight it, I got on with it. I had great supports at home and could focus on getting this over with. One day when I felt so weak I could hardly walk I was talking to my fitness coach and he suggested I put on my shorts, go out to the bike, sit on it and turn my feet. Even doing that helped me! Also keeping a routine was very helpful.”

After the transplant Mag had more chemotherapy and started slowly doing exercise and running again and the shoulder pain got better over time.

“I reset my life and did what I could. It took 6 months to feel normal and right after the transplant. I am now two and a half years post-transplant. I am living a very good life around this and feel blessed. I went back to training, and I ended up representing Ireland in the Senior European and World Triathalon Championships and came tenth in the world!  I also crossed the Pyrenees and did Mount Everest Base camp . When I asked my consultant his view of going to Base Camp he said if I wanted to go to the moon that was ok! “

Mag said it is important for anyone diagnosed with the illness to be as positive as possible and to know that people can live very well with multiple myeloma.

“My advice is if you are diagnosed with a blood cancer especially multiple myeloma learn as much as you can about it and get in touch with Multiple Myeloma Ireland. It is important to remember only stress the things you can control.  Try to wake up every day and be grateful for what you have. Be grateful for your family and friends and the medical team you have around you.”

“My family and friends have been so supportive and I am appealing to everyone in Kilkenny to sign up to “Miles for Myeloma” which is aimed at raising funds for Multiple Myeloma research, and to raise awareness of the disease.”

Details of fundraiser

Plan your Miles for Myeloma challenge – walking, running, cychttps://www.idonate.ie/event/milesformyeloma 

• ling, swimming or a combination.   Cover the distance in your own time at your own pace.
• Register your event using the online form here: https://www.idonate.ie/event/milesformyeloma 
• Set up your iDonate fundraising page to receive a t-shirt and get started!
• Don’t forget to share your progress and photos and tag @multiplemyelomaireland.

There will be a a meet up day to mark the end of the month long campaign with a walk for all involved on Sunday Sept 29th, leaving from Tullamore Hospital. 

MM symptoms

The most common early symptom for Multiple Myeloma is bone and back pain that persists and progresses, despite the use of painkillers. Other symptoms can include weight loss, fatigue, malaise and increased frequency of infections over several months.

Haematologist, Professor John Quinn, said a diagnosis of multiple myeloma is typically made after blood and/or x-ray tests.

“The most frequent signs of multiple myeloma in blood tests are raised blood calcium levels, kidney impairment, anaemia and abnormal protein in the blood and/or urine. In addition, X-rays and CT and MRI scans can show fractures or bone weakness.” he said.

Multiple Myeloma is mainly found in people in their mid-60s and is slightly more common in men. The disease is very rare in young people with just 2% of cases arising in those under 40 years.

Professor Quinn said it is important to emphasise that treatment options have improved dramatically in the last 25 years. “While it is still regarded as an incurable blood cancer, patients are living longer and longer.” he said.

A typical treatment regimen for those with multiple myeloma includes a stem cell transplant, ongoing chemotherapy,  steroids, and antibody injections. Multiple Myeloma can be delivered in a haematology day ward where patients will receive regular infusions which reduce bone pain and the risk of further fracture.

Link to the general registration page: https://www.idonate.ie/event/milesformyeloma