Anna: Alright. So I'll ask you to introduce yourself to kick us off.
Eric: Yeah. My name is Eric Jackson.
Anna: Awesome. And what inspired you to come out today to the family and patient seminar?
Eric: Well, first of all, I am a multiple myeloma patient, and I have benefited greatly from the International Myeloma Foundation, primarily their YouTube videos. When I was first diagnosed, I was like most people. It's like, first of all, what in the hell is multiple myeloma? And so, I did a lot of googling. And through that, I discovered the International Myeloma Foundation, and primarily, and particularly Doctor Joe. And his videos were just so informative, but most of all, reassuring. And I came away thinking, well, I can do this.
Anna: Absolutely. And how has the myeloma community supported you in your own journey?
Eric: Well, I think I just alluded to the fact that the resources that are out there are amazing. And anything you really wanna know, they can provide an answer for you, and also on whatever format or platform you want. So, I happen to be kind of a big fan of YouTube. So, the videos are there. And what I also like, there are long form videos, and then there are shorts. And he does a lot of shorts, and he also does, he being Doctor Joe, does a question-and-answer series where he answers questions. And one thing I learned a long time ago is if I have a question, don't be afraid to ask it because somebody else probably has that question too. So, I found through his question-and-answer series, there are questions that I have that people have asked and he has answered.
Anna: Awesome. And what message would you share with others living with myeloma?
Eric: Living is the key there. We are in a time now where multiple myeloma is no longer a death sentence, and people are living very, very, very long active healthy lives. So, I would say go out, and I don't like to quote people, but I'm gonna quote Oprah. Live your best life. And just go ahead and do it. In fact, a week ago yesterday, I went skydiving in Hawaii for the first time.
Anna: Wow.
Eric: So just go do whatever you wanna do.
Anna: That's awesome. How was that experience?
Eric: Terrifying for a few seconds, and then it was awesome. It was incredible.
Anna: That's awesome.
Eric: But the whole point is, you know, just get out of your comfort zone, live your life. And \ I think, one of the things that I'm gonna take away from this seminar, they showed a video and one of the patients said, “multiple myeloma doesn't have me. I have multiple myeloma.”
Anna: That's a great message. And is that your first time at this event?
Eric: It is.
Anna: Okay. Awesome. And how's it been so far?
Eric: It's been great. It's been fantastic. The venue is great. The speakerships are great. Program has been great. The tables outside have been fantastic. And an opportunity to talk to people, and people that are experiencing things that I'm experiencing. Because in your and prior to my diagnosis, I'd never heard of multiple myeloma. And so, I think that's the case for most people. So, to talk to people that have a similar experience as human beings, we just wanna connect. So, this is a great opportunity to connect.
Anna: Awesome. And what gives you strength on those harder days?
Eric: I don't have any hard days. I think, you know, really I mean, life really comes down to choices. So, what are we gonna choose to do? And I have chosen to be happy, to prosper, to thrive.
Anna: That's great. And anything else we didn't touch on that you'd like to share?
Eric: No. No. You know? Life is what you make it.
Anna: Absolutely. Well, thank you so much for your time, Eric. We really appreciate it.
Eric: Great. Yeah.
