Wexford Man highlights “hidden” blood cancer as Leinster House turns red

The second most common blood cancer - yet still widely unknown - is being highlighted today as Leinster House turns red this evening.

The landmark is part of the global “Light the World Red” campaign for Multiple Myeloma Action Month, raising awareness of the disease.

Today, World Myeloma Day, sees buildings across the world illuminated in red in solidarity with patients and families and to help drive progress towards better treatments and a cure.

Pat Gately from Wexford who was diagnosed 10 years ago after suffering with severe back pain says help is there for people who need it.

Although Multiple Myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, accounts for only 1% of all cancers, it is the second most common blood cancer in Ireland. It has life altering implications for the estimated thousands of people living with the condition across Ireland.

Many individuals with multiple myeloma may have up to 30% abnormal plasma cells in their bone marrow and high abnormal proteins levels without clear physical symptoms, contributing to delayed detection.

In Ireland, approximately 3,000 people are currently living with Multiple Myeloma, with around 380 new cases diagnosed each year and 170 deaths annually.

Thanks to advances in treatment, the five-year survival rate has risen to 67%, yet the incidence of myeloma is projected to grow significantly, with a 44% increase in cases expected by 2030, rising to more than 500 diagnoses per year.

The purpose of this new campaign - which includes an immersive show garden at this year’s Bord Bia Bloom festival - is to build awareness for Multiple Myeloma and its symptoms to prompt people to go to their GP to seek early diagnosis and treatment.

Common symptoms such as fatigue, easily broken bones, recurring infections, bone pain and back pain are nonspecific and easily overlooked. As a result, myeloma is frequently diagnosed by chance during routine blood tests, and early diagnosis remains one of the most significant barriers to improving patient outcomes.