Aldo Del Col, M.S.M.

1954-2019

It is with profound sadness that we announce today the passing of Aldo Del Col, M.S.M., our Co-founder, dear friend and mentor on August 6, 2019 due to unforeseen complications related to multiple myeloma. Aldo leaves behind an incredible legacy of passion, determination and accomplishments.

Aldo was diagnosed with myeloma 17 years ago. It quickly became his life’s mission to empower patients to "take a seat at the table", get involved, be present and play a key role in all decision-making related to managing their disease. In Aldo’s infamous words, “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu”. Let it never be said that Aldo Del Col was on the menu!

When Aldo was diagnosed in 2002, there was not much information on the disease, treatment options were limited and resources for Canadians were nearly non-existent. Finding this unacceptable – and being a man of perseverance – Aldo founded the Montreal Myeloma Support Network. His voracious attention to detail, insatiable need to be informed and involved, to challenge the status quo are just some attributes that exemplify the man Aldo was. It was clear to him that more still had to be done. His commitment to “change the conversation” propelled the founding of Myeloma Canada in 2005 with its definitive tagline “Unknown. Unnoticed. Until Now”.

Aldo was a trailblazer. He was a firm believer in the power of the patient as well as grassroots efforts to drive change. He unified and strengthened the voice of the Canadian myeloma community, bringing together for the first-time, patients and caregivers, clinicians, researchers and industry partners with a common purpose. In 2009, the first set of discussions toward creating a formalized myeloma research group were held. One year later, the inaugural Myeloma Canada Scientific Roundtable took place in Montreal, Quebec to encourage collaborative research. It was from this gathering that the Myeloma Canada Research Network (MCRN) was born in 2010.

Photo taken at the first-ever Myeloma Canada Scientific Roundtable meeting in 2010

Above and beyond his work with Myeloma Canada and the MCRN, Aldo was involved with several other organizations and committees. He was a member of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG), the Hematology Executive Committee and the CCTG Molecular Tumour Board. In the spring of 2018, Aldo was presented with an Award of Appreciation for his dedication to the CCTG. That same year, Aldo was recognized by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, with the Meritorious Service Medal (M.S.M.) for his outstanding contribution to the myeloma community and to Canada.

Aldo Del Col, M.S.M., receiving the Meritorious Service Medal by

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada in 2018

On a global scale, Aldo served on the Board of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) and was an active contributor to the Global Myeloma Action Network (GMAN) and member of the International Myeloma Society (IMS). He was also named Member Emeritus of the Ontario College of Pharmacists in recognition of his work as a community pharmacist.

 

Aldo was a game-changer, a man of vitality, of unwavering grit whose impact transformed the lives of so many within the international myeloma community. Aldo may have left his seat, but thanks to his spirit and drive, patients will always have a place at the table. This is one of Aldo’s most important legacies.

Through Aldo’s vision and leadership, Myeloma Canada has evolved into an innovative, internationally-respected organization. Everyone at Myeloma Canada will continue, with more fervour than ever before, to honour Aldo’s mission and vision to empower each and every Canadian touched by myeloma, and support crucial research until the day that a cure is found.

Aldo celebrating Guido Vetorello's birthday in 2018 at the Mangia for Myeloma fundraiser in Windsor, Ontario, benefitting "Team Life is Good" for the Multiple Myeloma March

Aldo always dressed with style and could hold forth with wit and knowledge on so many topics: where to get truly authentic Italian food, how a perfect risotto should be made, what foreign television shows were worth watching, the importance of good graphic design, branding, and the power of a nicely turned phrase. His strong opinions were always softened by a self-deprecating question: “But what do I know?”. Even in poor health, he fiercely engaged with life and in so doing, inspired everyone around him to do the same.

Aldo’s funeral will be held in his hometown of Timmins, Ontario. For those wanting to honour Aldo’s life and legacy, his family has asked that a gift be made in his honour, in lieu of flowers. A special tribute fund has been set up and is accessible here:

Aldo, you forever changed the Canadian myeloma landscape and the lives of Canadians touched by this disease. For this, and much more, we thank you.

 

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Martine Elias, Executive Director

 

Myeloma Canada