[Nancy Shamanna]

Carol Westberg (1954 - 2013) - Myeloma Warrior

by Nancy Shamanna on Mon Feb 04, 2013 1:53 pm

Carol was a Friend, Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister

Canada lost one of it's strongest advocates and friends to the Myeloma Community last month, with the passing of Carol Westberg. Originally from Saskatchewan, Carol had moved to Calgary, Alberta some years ago. She was running her own business when diagnosed with Multiple myeloma 8 years ago, and her focus and mission in life shifted to helping others with this devastating form of cancer. Carol started the myeloma support group in Calgary and co-founded the Southern Alberta Myeloma Patient Society (SAMPS). SAMPS is a support group and also raises funds for myeloma research. She was very involved in the community and not only counselled other patients but spoke to student nurses to help to educate them about the disease.

She championed such causes as the need for a National Catastrophic Drug Coverage Program, and provincial funding for expensive life-saving drugs. She always fought for equitable access to myeloma patients for all Canadians, and won several awards for her work.

She will be sorely missed, but we will try to carry on with her work. Carol's leadership, intelligence and passion for her cause helped many other myeloma warriors. I am privileged to have known her as a friend.

[Christina1952]

Re: Carol Westberg (1954 - 2013) - Myeloma Warrior

by Christina1952 on Mon Feb 04, 2013 8:16 pm

Yes, Carol was a terrific person. I didn't know her personally, but all my cyberspace myeloma buddies are important to me. She always posted such uplifting pictures and quotes on Facebook . I will miss her, as I'm sure her family will.

Thanks for posting this Nancy.