Sky News presenter Gillian Joseph begins Scotland trek to raise awareness of blood cancer affecting Black people
The broadcaster told Black Current News that she has embarked on a near-100 mile walk to highlight Multiple Myeloma, following a devastating diagnosis within her family
Sky News presenter Gillian Joseph has begun a near-100 mile trek across Scotland to raise awareness of Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer that disproportionately affects Black people and remains widely misunderstood.
The week-long challenge, which began on 5 May, will see Ms Joseph walk the iconic West Highland Way in aid of Black Women Rising, a charity supporting women of colour living with cancer.
The route stretches from Milngavie, near Glasgow, to Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis, covering almost 100 miles through the Scottish Highlands.
Speaking to Black Current News, Ms Joseph said the sponsored walk was inspired by her sister’s diagnosis with Multiple Myeloma three years ago.
“Myeloma is more common in Black people. It affects them two to three times more often. I had no idea this was the case before my sister’s diagnosis and I know I wasn’t alone in my ignorance,” she said.
“Most confuse it with Melanoma and next to nothing is known about its prevalence in the Black population.”
Multiple Myeloma is the most common blood cancer that affects Black people, occurring two to three times more frequently among these communities than in the wider population.
Symptoms can include bone pain, fatigue and frequent infections.
Ms Joseph said one of her key aims was to encourage earlier diagnosis and greater vigilance around symptoms often dismissed or overlooked.
“The trek is to raise awareness of this disease, to make us all mindful of the symptoms and to be vigilant,” she explained.
“Check out the backache that won’t go away, the fatigue that’s weighing you down.”
She also spoke candidly about the impact treatment has had on her sister.
“My sister has elected to discontinue chemotherapy because of the trauma it has put her body through,” Ms Joseph said.
“She describes it as being worse than the cancer itself.
“My hope is that shining a light on Multiple Myeloma will encourage her to pursue other treatments. We know it’s incurable but we pray for some quality of life.”
Ms Joseph also pointed to disparities in treatment access affecting Black patients.
“Unfortunately, according to Myeloma UK, studies show that Black patients are less likely to receive treatments like stem cell transplants and experience longer wait times to benefit from treatments,” she continued.
“It’s a terrifying realisation that these delays can impact survival. That is why it’s so vital to arm women and men with the confidence to expedite diagnosis and treatment.”
Founded in 2019 by cancer advocate Leanne Pero following her own breast cancer diagnosis, Black Women Rising says it is now expanding its support services to include people diagnosed with blood cancers, including Multiple Myeloma.
“Multiple Myeloma devastates Black families at a disproportionate rate, yet it rarely makes headlines,” Ms Pero said.
“Gillian is changing that one step at a time. Her courage and commitment to our community is exactly the kind of allyship that saves lives, and we are honoured to have her walking for Black Women Rising.”
Ms Joseph said the campaign was ultimately about ensuring patients feel empowered enough to advocate for themselves.
“Beyond the fundraising, I want everyone to be informed,” she said.
“To be forewarned is to be forearmed and identifying the enemy early means you can fight back.
“There are alternatives to the very debilitating chemotherapy, if right for the individual. I want each and every patient to have the confidence to pursue every avenue and to ask for what they want.”
Those wishing to support Ms Joseph’s fundraiser for Black Women Rising can donate via her JustGiving page: justgiving.com/campaign/gillianjosephbwr.
Learn more about Multiple Myeloma and how it affects Black people here.
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