[Pat Killingsworth]

Elijah Alexander: Friend, Father, Myeloma Hero

by Pat Killingsworth on Thu Mar 25, 2010 6:55 pm

I learned today that a good friend of mine--a true multiple myeloma hero--Elijah Alexander died yesterday. I first met Elijah in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at a patient advisory board meeting. Elijah is best known as a star football player at Kansas State University, who went on to play linebacker in the NFL for the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders. But Elijah was so much more than just a football player. A multiple myeloma survivor of almost six years, Elijah was down to earth and approachable. With the help of his lovely wife, Kim, he founded the Tackle Cancer Foundation to help inner city cancer patients get the medical attention they need. We spent much of the first week in December together at the ASH conference in New Orleans, helping the International Myeloma Foundation promote the IMF's Cancer Patient Bill of Rights. I am proud to have worked with him—and to call him my friend. Elijah's death was sudden and unexpected. He will be missed by his wife, their two young, energetic children, hundreds of friends and even more patients and caregivers. I am stunned and so, so sad right now. Elijah's passing is a major blow to multiple myeloma patients everywhere.

Posted with love and deep regret- Pat

[UofMCancerKicker]

Re: Elijah Alexander: Friend, Father, Myeloma Hero

by UofMCancerKicker on Fri Mar 26, 2010 6:08 am

Well said Pat. I feel as if multiple myeloma has stolen a friend I was going to have for years to come. Elijah reached out to me once my local newspaper announced my diagnosis. We had exchanged emails and voicemails, and unfortunately our relationship will go no further.

As a young multiple myeloma patient (diagnosed at 28), Elijah was one of few young peers that I could lean on for hope and understanding of what it means to be young and have multiple myeloma. He will be missed and I feel as if the multiple myeloma community as lost one of its dearest leaders.

I will use this loss as a motivation to push hard, be more creative and reach out to more people for the advance of a cure and the utmost support for this community. I will definitely carry Elijah and his mission in my heart as I press on.

Love and hugs to all his family and friends in this time. May they truly be able to celebrate Elijah's life and accomplishments on Tuesday.

-Phil Brabbs
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