Patti Scialfa, the wife of iconic musician Bruce Springsteen and a longtime member of the E Street Band, has recently shared that she has been battling a form of blood cancer known as multiple myeloma. This revelation was made during the premiere of Springsteen’s documentary, “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band,” at the Toronto Film Festival. Scialfa disclosed that she received her diagnosis back in 2018, during the Springsteen on Broadway residency.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer that originates in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. According to the Mayo Clinic, these cells are crucial components of the immune system, producing antibodies to fight infections. However, in the case of multiple myeloma, plasma cells grow uncontrollably, leading to the secretion of abnormal antibodies that can damage bones and other organs.
Scialfa, 71, has taken a step back from the E Street Band’s current tour, which began in February 2023 and is scheduled to continue until July 2025. “Touring has become a challenge for me,” she stated in the documentary. “This affects my immune system, so I just have to be careful about what I choose to do and where I choose to go.”
Despite her health challenges, Scialfa occasionally joins the band for select performances. “Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs on stage, and that’s been a treat, she added. That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m OK with that.”
Scialfa joined the E Street Band in 1984, just before the Born in the U.S.A. tour, and she married Springsteen in 1991. Her contributions to the band were formally recognized when she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
Initially, Scialfa cited spending time with her grandchild, Lily, who was born to their son in July 2022, as a reason for stepping away from the tour. However, it is now clear that her health was a significant factor. “I didn’t feel as needed in a way because there were a lot of musicians on stage,” she told Asbury Park Press earlier this year. “I did the first couple of shows, and as I saw how it was all rolling, I thought, ‘This is good. This is completely intact. There’s not much room for me to add anything special.’”
In addition to her health struggles, Scialfa has been working on her own music. “And the main thing was I have a record that I couldn’t have finished when Bruce was home because he’s in the studio all the time,” she continued. “So I took that opportunity to do my record.”
Springsteen himself has been dealing with his own health issues over the past year, adding another layer of complexity to their lives. Despite these challenges, the couple continues to focus on their family and their individual and collective creative pursuits.
Multiple myeloma is diagnosed in more than 35,000 people in the U.S. each year, according to the American Cancer Society. It is described as multiple because it often appears in various patches or areas within the bone. The disease can be particularly debilitating as it compromises the immune system and can cause severe bone pain and damage.
Medical experts emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to manage the disease effectively. Dr. Cristina Gasparetto, a hematologic oncologist at Duke University School of Medicine, explains that plasma cells in the bone marrow function as a factory of blood. When these cells grow uncontrollably, they produce abnormal antibodies that can severely impact the body’s ability to fight infections.
Dr. Joseph Mikhael, chief medical officer of the International Myeloma Foundation, further explains that the disease’s symptoms can vary but are often severe, making everyday activities challenging for those affected.
As Scialfa navigates this difficult journey, she continues to find solace in her faith, family and her music. Her resilience and commitment to her passions serve as an inspiration to many, highlighting the importance of perseverance and the strength of the human spirit.