48 | MAY 25 • 2023 

HEALTH

S

id Moss was diagnosed 
with multiple myeloma 
in 2009 and immediately 
began induction therapy. 
Approximately 25,000 
Americans are diagnosed with 
multiple myeloma annually. This 
blood cancer affects plasma cells 
that accumulate in bone mar-
row, crowding out the normal 
cells that fight infection and 
creating an abnormal antibody 
that can cause life-threatening 
problems. While not curable, it is 
considered “highly manageable” 
today with treatments including 
immunotherapy, radiation, stem 
cell transplant, targeted biologic 
agents and chemotherapy. Moss 
had a stem cell transplant in 
February of 2011. 
While Moss, a Jewish resident 
of Bloomfield Hills who owns a 
property management company, 
was recovering, he felt the need 
to get involved, to create aware-
ness of multiple myeloma and 
raise money for research and 
hopefully a cure. 
This year, Moss was hon-
ored by the Multiple Myeloma 
Research Foundation (MMRF} 
with the “Spirit of Hope Award” 
for all he’s done at the 2023 
MMRF Southeast Michigan 
Walk/Run on May 20.

TALKING WITH SID MOSS
Q: How did you get involved 
with the MMRF? 
My biggest fear when they told 
me I had cancer was that I was 

going to die and not be around 
to see my grandkids grow up and 
mature into the young people 
they are today. When I was diag-
nosed, I remember my doctor 
put his arm around my shoulder 
and said, “I could tell you to put 
your affairs in order, but I’m not; 
we can deal with this.
”
 While recovering from 
my stem cell transplant, I felt 
a need to get involved, create 
awareness of multiple myeloma, 
and raise money for research 
and, hopefully, a cure, so I 
reached out to the MMRF. I 
wanted to help raise money to 
fight this cancer, so I looked at 
what I like — good music, wine 
and great food. From that, I 
started Wine & Dine in the D. 
Then, five years ago I founded 
my own charitable organiza-
tion, Cure Multiple Myeloma 
Corp. (CMMC), which is 
designed to educate and assist 
multiple myeloma patients in 
Michigan. Since 2010, the charity 
has raised more than $1.6 mil-
lion for research.
I designed this as a two-part 
evening that included an educa-
tional panel discussion by prom-
inent myeloma doctors, followed 
by a “Wine & Dine” evening 
featuring delicious food and 
beverages from some of Detroit’s 
finest restaurants.
Now in its 13th year, approx-
imately 400 community mem-
bers, patients, caregivers and 
key opinion leaders in the 

myeloma community annually 
attend Wine & Dine in the D. It 
brings together specialists from 
around the country and provides 
a platform for patients and the 
community to learn about new 
groundbreaking treatments and 
speak directly to these leading 
doctors. This year, it takes place 
Sept. 7.
Once CMMC was formed, 
I saw an opportunity to be of 
further assistance to multiple 
myeloma patients in Southeast 
Michigan. Patients need educa-
tion about the new drug ther-
apies available and the quickly 
changing myeloma landscape. 
I asked my doctor what he 
thought was needed and the Ask 
the Doctor series was established 
from that discussion. At first, 
they were intimate breakfasts, 
where patients could speak 
directly to multiple myeloma 
specialists and interact with other 
patients. Then the pandemic 
hit, and the breakfasts were 

turned into virtual discussions 
over Zoom. This year, they will 
be hybrid discussions, where 
doctors and patients will meet 
face-to-face, and a Zoom option 
will be available for those unable 
to attend. 
Q: How have you found per-
severance in light of obstacles? 
I think that focusing on what 
I can do instead of my situation 
has helped immensely. By con-
centrating on raising funds and 
assisting others, I have the ambi-
tion and will to keep moving 
forward.
I get a lot of my strength 
through my relationships with 
my doctors, Dr. Jeffrey Margolis 
(my oncologist) and Dr. Michael 
Lill (my transplant doctor). 
They were there for me all the 
way. I have also received a lot 
of support from my family and 
friends. 

Get more information at 

https://curemultiplemyeloma.org.

Sid Moss gets “Spirit of Hope Award” from 
MMRF Southeast Michigan 2023 Walk/Run.

Warrior Against 
Multiple Myeloma

Sid Moss 
and his wife, 
Sharon

Patrons enjoy a previous 
Wine & Dine event. This 
year, the annual event 
takes place Sept. 7.

