05/24/2026
In his third year of annual bloodwork, Jerome “Jerry“ Krasnow showed signs of anemia and was referred to a hematologist. That doctor diagnosed Jerry with multiple myeloma – a form of blood cancer.
“Most people with multiple myeloma find out about their diagnosis because they are in pain or breaking bones,“ says Jerry, who was diagnosed at age 70 and is now 78. “I haven‘t experienced any of those symptoms because they caught it so early.“
For the past seven years, Jerry has been treated for multiple myeloma, where he is currently participating in a clinical trial. His journey involved a second opinion, a trip to Hawaii, victories against side effects, and substantial life changes to facilitate his participation in the trial.
Throughout, Jerry and his partner of 45 years, Barbara Zubrow, have remained devoted to the good life. They kayak, bicycle, golf, and enjoy time with their grandchildren. When they are in Boston for treatments, they visit museums and restaurants – including one in Chinatown that Jerry has been dining in since 1967 when he was a student at Boston University.
“I‘m doing fabulously,“ says Jerry.
When Jerry was first diagnosed with cancer by the hematologist near his home in Hartford, Connecticut, Barbara insisted on a second opinion. After researching multiple options, she suggested Dana-Farber.
“At the time, Dana-Farber was doing research and developing new protocols for multiple myeloma,“ she says.
Within a month, Paul Richardson, MD, director of clinical research at the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, began treating Jerry with a standard combination therapy known as “RVD“ (lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone) that Richardson and his team had played a leadership role in developing. Richardson‘s team also coordinated with Jerry‘s local oncologist so he could receive his treatment in Hartford.
After some adjustments to the medication, Jerry and Barbara wanted to take a vacation, but treatment had them tethered to Hartford. With a little administrative help, his medical teams arranged for him to temporarily receive treatments in Honolulu, Hawaii – something that isn‘t easy to operationalize.
“We were able to stay in Hawaii for six weeks and see all the islands,“ recalls Jerry. “What a great experience!“
Jerry is now on his third line of treatment, which is being administered as part of a clinical trial run by Richardson, and is doing well. When Jerry began treatment for multiple myeloma, there were only a few options available. But with scientific and clinical research – including research led here – there are now over 20 approved medicines and treatment approaches for the disease.
“It‘s exciting news to a person going through this, who might be wondering, ‘What is next if my current treatment doesn‘t work?‘“ says Barbara. Not only are new options available, but more are continually emerging.
“We are making continuous advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma, and not least because our patients like Jerry participate in clinical trials,“ says Dr. Richardson. “Their partnership is invaluable and it‘s a true privilege to both care for them, and in so doing, hopefully provide the best treatment.“
The trial gave Jerry the possibility of an innovative regimen or standard therapy. It also gave him access to a supportive care team of experts who referred him to specialists for various medical needs, and an outstanding research nursing team plus research coordinators.
For example, when Jerry experienced shortness of breath, his care team referred him to a cardiologist who immediately identified a medication that resolved the issue. He also worked with an expert in geriatrics, Tammy Hshieh, MD, MPH, to manage a reaction to a steroid, as well as other general medical issues relevant to his care.
The trial medicines can only be administered at Dana-Farber under U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, so Jerry and Barbara also opted for a significant lifestyle change to participate while staying near their family. After decades in the same house, they sold their home in Connecticut and moved to Rhode Island, near a commuter train to Boston. Now, they make an event of their train trips.
“Once we‘re off the train, we walk everywhere we go,“ says Jerry.
They also frequent Jerry‘s old haunt, New Golden Gate Seafood restaurant, in Boston‘s Chinatown. Jerry – who believes he has been eating there “for more years than anyone“ – recommends the sizzling seafood.
