Pat's Fundraising Page

Hi friends and family!

Some of you know my story already and I thank you for all the support you've already shown me. For those of you that would like to know more, read on. :) 

In 2017 I started to have a variety of medical issues....nothing seemingly serious but certainly bothersome, including the need to sleep a lot.   I visited a variety of different kinds of doctors, including a podiatrist (my foot hurt among other things).  Eventually in November 2018, I was diagnosed with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM), a type of blood cancer and lymphoma.  

WM is rare - only about 1500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with it annually.  Amazingly, my brother-in-law, Jeff Matous in Colorado, specializes in blood cancers and WM is one of his specialities.  Jeff was very encouraging and he recommended that I see Dr. Edward Libby in Seattle. 

After my first visit, Dr. Libby recommended that I look into information available through the International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF).  I read everything I could get my hands on.  I learned so much and the disease became less scary.  I am very thankful for this organization 

I finished treatment in 2019 and am doing well.  I have a lot of optimism for the future.  Hopefully you can join me on August 28 for the WM virtual walk.  It would mean a lot to me.

More about Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia 

WM is a rare type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells.

With WM, your bone marrow produces too many abnormal white blood cells that crowd out healthy blood cells. The abnormal white blood cells produce a protein that accumulates in the blood, impairs circulation and causes complications.

WM is considered a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It's sometimes called lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.

The IWMF is dedicated to supporting and educating everyone affected by Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia while advancing the search for a cure. Help us raise awareness and support for Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia by donating to the Walk for Waldenstrom’s. All donations will support WM patients and caregivers and bring us closer to a World without WM.

Funds raised during the Walk for Waldenstrom's will directly support the mission of the IWMF. For every $800 raised, the IWMF will provide a WM community member with a full scholarship to a future IWMF Educational Forum. For every $2,000 raised, the IWMF will provide a WM community member with a full scholarship to a future IWMF Educational Forum, and a travel voucher to help get them there.