Spotlight on Ellis Basevitz

Person living with myeloma, Strong Advocate, Myeloma Canada Board Member – Montreal, QC

Editor’s Note : I n celebration of our 15 ^th Anniversary, the Spotlight section of Myeloma Matters has changed slightly. This year, our Spotlight Stars have been asked to share their stories alongside their relationship and involvement with Myeloma Canada. We hope you enjoy meeting our 2020 Spotlight Stars and that the new format provides you with information you didn’t know before.

To all of you who have shared your stories in the past, and those of you who continue to do so today, we are indebted...you are an inspiration.

(Please note that this interview was conducted before COVID-19, when in-person support group meetings were still going on.)

Ellis, how did Myeloma Canada come into your life?

Ellis Basevitz

I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma 15 years ago in 2005. I went to the internet for information about the disease and stumbled upon Myeloma Canada. I called and was connected to Aldo Del Col, Co- founder of Myeloma Canada. It only took a few discussions for Aldo and I to become friends. He had been diagnosed 3 years earlier and with his knowledge and experience, he became an inspiration to me.

So, 5 years later when he invited me to become a Board member of Myeloma Canada, I accepted immediately. With my accounting background, I have enjoyed my role as both a Board member as well as Treasurer of the organization.

How is myeloma impacting your life?

I’ll start by saying that myeloma has certainly been a challenge in my life. But I’ve tried to not miss a beat. I’ve embraced my condition and surrounded myself with the best medical team to help me through the process.

I’ve been on many treatments over the years that have collectively been able to keep my disease in remission. And I believe that being both, a workaholic and an optimist has helped me lead quite a normal life over the past 15 years.

My myeloma has also helped me become more spiritual. I have created lists of my beliefs and gratitudes and attributes and goals which I review daily. That, plus staying busy and engaged with mentoring and other projects, has helped me to remain positive. And working with Myeloma Canada has given me the feeling that I’m contributing to the cause; that too has been a big stress release.

In what ways has Myeloma Canada helped you through your myeloma journey?

Myeloma Canada has a major impact both in Canada and world-wide. It has made me aware of prominent physicians and pharmaceutical companies who can help me with my treatments and allowed me to better advocate for myself. And the wonderful team of experts working at Myeloma Canada have also contributed to this effort.

How do you contribute to advancing the cause of those affected by myeloma?

My wife Debbie has become a resource advocate for Myeloma Canada. If someone calls in to Myeloma Canada and needs information, Debbie will speak with them. Sometimes these calls or meetings result in Debbie asking me to call people that might be going into a stem cell transplant and they want to speak to someone who has actually had one.

Further to this, all my friends know that I have myeloma and occasionally someone will ask me to speak to one of their friends or family members who has been recently diagnosed or struggling with the disease.

Ellis and Debbie at Myeloma Canada's fundraiser,

Sam's Monte Carlo Casino Night

Why do you feel Myeloma Canada is the best "medium" through which to advocate for those affected by myeloma?

Myeloma Canada is a one-stop-shop. It is world renowned and keeps current on all issues related to myeloma. Its staff has expertise with the disease. In addition, the organization has access to everything that’s going on nationwide with its Patient Advisory Council (PAC), with representation across the country; it has the scope to address the government on a national level. The annual Myeloma Canada Scientific Roundtable keeps us up to date on all of the drugs that are out there, both approved and in clinical trials. The Myeloma Canada Research Network (MCRN) also keeps patients abreast of the latest clinical trials.

If you had one wish for patients and their loves ones, what would it be?

In my opinion, myeloma is becoming more of a chronic than a fatal illness. More and more new treatments are creating remissions for many patients, including me. I choose to believe that " myeloma is not going to kill me, that it’s a chronic condition that I can live with .”

Now it’s up to me and others to use our enthusiasm to inspire other patients to feel the same way!

Thank you for your time and insights Ellis, and all you do alongside Myeloma Canada.

Thank you!

Editor’s Note: To donate to Myeloma Canada, please visit www.myeloma.ca or call us toll-free at 1-888-798-5771 .

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