Myeloma Research: In Memory of Joga Singh Somal

This page is in honour of our grandfather, Joga Singh Somal, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2017 at 68 years old.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs. Unfortunately, in multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, crowding healthy blood cells. Multiple myeloma is currently an incurable disease.

Our grandfather's fight against this cancer started in late 2017 with a stem cell transplant. As a result of this transplant, he was able to go into remission for a year, only going to regular checkups at VGH. However, after a year, his cancer cells started to increase, and doctors then recommended that he start chemo treatments, which would again work until the one-year mark when his recovery would come to a standstill. Then, in early 2023, he began complaining of neck pain, where we found out that the cancer had fractured 75% of his C2 spine. Surgery could have possibly repaired his cervical spine, but the cons outweighed the pros of the surgery, which was what he was afraid of. An alternative to the surgery was radiation treatments, in which he underwent eight sessions. Along with the radiation treatments, he was required to wear a neck brace, which made him very uncomfortable as he couldn't eat and drink properly, resulting in a drastic weight loss. In addition, he was prescribed high-dose medications for pain management. As a result of the radiation, he lost his voice and began complaining about other parts of his body, such as his ribs and back.

On May 1, 2023, we noticed his behaviour starting to change, such as mental confusion and anxiety. At the hospital, doctors were unsure why he suffered mental confusion, so he was sent back home after being prescribed antibiotics for a possible pneumonia infection. As the week passed, his health continued to deteriorate more and more, and we decided to take him to a different hospital on May 5. During the first two days at the hospital, he could communicate with only words such as 'yes' and 'no.' However, by the third day, he became unresponsive. After further testing, it was found that the cancer had progressed to his ribs, lungs, and chest, and the mental confusion resulted from high calcium levels in his blood. He was eventually moved from Royal Columbian Hospital to Surrey Memorial's palliative care unit and passed away one day later.

Because this cancer is currently incurable, these funds will help promote further research and provide informative professionals offering more treatment options. Our family witnessed him undergo indescribable amounts of pain; therefore, the donations from this page will be donated directly to the BC Cancer Foundation. Any donation, big or small, is appreciated.

Our grandfather was always helping others, and we hope to help other families witnessing their loved ones dealing with this horrible disease in his memory.