Wednesday, August 21, 2019 It is with great sadness that CCTG shares the news of the passing of Aldo Del Col, a valued member of the CCTG Patient Representative Committee and the Hematology Disease Site Committee. He worked tirelessly to ensure that the patient voice was part of the design and conduct of CCTG clinical trials. Aldo Del Col was diagnosed with myeloma in 2002 – a time when there was little disease awareness, limited treatment options and even fewer resources for Canadians looking for support and information. For the subsequent seventeen years, he work to create a community to serve the needs of Canadians impacted by myeloma. In 2009 Aldo joined the CCTG Hematologic Disease Site Committee as a patient representative, sharing the concerns and needs of patients with scientists, discussing trial needs and trial design. He was a member of the Hematology Executive Committee and the Molecular Tumour Board for the PM1 CAPTUR trial. “Aldo was a tremendous advocate for clinical trials testing new treatments for myeloma and for all patients with hematological malignancies. His input into the design and conduct of CCTG trials ensured that the patient perspective was carefully considered and incorporated.” – Janet Dancey, CCTG Director Beyond CCTG, Aldo’s myeloma advocacy work has been transformative; he started the Myeloma Montreal Support Network in 2004 and co-founded Myeloma Canada in 2005, followed by the creation of the Myeloma Canada Research Network. His volunteer work also extended internationally with roles in the Global Myeloma Action Network, and the International Myeloma Foundation. In the spring of 2018, Aldo was presented with the CCTG Award of Appreciation for his dedication to the group and committee service. The same year Aldo received the Meritorious Service Medal from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette in recognition of his pioneering efforts and dedication to the Canadian myeloma community. “As a patient who has benefited from several new drugs that have only been made possible through patient participation in clinical trials, I want, to the best of my ability, to share my experience and knowledge as a patient with the ultimate goals of helping improve clinical trial design and sensitizing investigators to the patient’s needs and reality.” – Aldo Del Col Aldo will be truly missed by everyone at CCTG as we remember his kindness, dedication and passion – his life and legacy are an inspiration to those he leaves behind. Aldo’s funeral will be held in his hometown of Timmins, Ontario. For those wanting to honour Aldo’s life and legacy, his family has asked that a gift be made in his honour, in lieu of flowers. A special tribute fund has been set up and is accessible here.
