Meet Kellie and Yaphet
“Research funding means that multiple myeloma doesn’t have to be a death sentence.” – Kellie Smith
Kellie and Yaphet Smith met in high school and were, in Yaphet’s words, “teenage sweethearts.” In 2018, right after their 20th wedding anniversary, Kellie found herself in the emergency room. Soon after, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. “Once Kellie was diagnosed and we learned that myeloma was incurable,” Yaphet says, “I wanted to do anything possible to help find a cure.”
As Kellie entered treatment in preparation for a stem cell transplant, Yaphet was her biggest cheerleader and caregiver. He began to research the disease, which led him to Stand Up To Cancer’s clinical trial, THE PROMISE Study which aims to make multiple myeloma a preventable cancer. He signed up to participate, hoping to contribute to the research and give his family hope: “Luckily, I screened negative for the precursors of myeloma. THE PROMISE Study may also provide clues and treatments that lead to longer remissions and more options if Kellie or any other patient relapses. It is a true gift.”
Stand Up To Cancer’s success is measured in the months, years, and lifetimes given back to people with cancer and their families.
Kellie has now been in remission for three years, and she and Yaphet celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in 2023. “Seeing the progress from being hospitalized for several weeks during my stem cell transplant to having brief monthly medical treatments today has been amazing,” she says. “Like many cancer patients, I’m still immunocompromised, but we’ve been able to spend time with extended family, travel to see friends, and visit our child more often. Most of all, I’ve been given more time with my husband. I am unbelievably grateful.
Looking back, Kellie imagines what she would tell herself at the start of her diagnosis: “Life as a cancer survivor will be different. You will be different. You will be stronger, more resilient, and more grateful than you ever thought possible.” While enjoying their lives together, the Smiths continue to be active advocates for health equity and research. “When I was first diagnosed,” Kellie says, “other myeloma survivors told me how lucky I was to have this disease now because I had more treatment options than they did. Patients are living longer, and with a better quality of life than they had just five years ago. By funding this research and sharing the word, Stand Up To Cancer not only spreads hope, but it also transforms that hope into life-saving treatments.”
Our Mission
Stand Up To Cancer raises awareness and funds research to detect and treat cancers with the aspiration to cure all patients. Find out how you can get involved.
