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Finding Strength in Connection and Faith: Claude’s Caregiver Story
When Claude Griffin’s wife Novlette was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in early 2016, the first emotion he felt was shock. After that, though, he found strength in his bond with his wife and son and through his faith.
This month, HealthTree Foundation is celebrating National Family Caregiver Month in November by sharing your caregiving stories.
Finding answers in faith and helping others
After receiving the news of his wife’s multiple myeloma diagnosis, Claude immediately found strength in his faith and in his bond with his family. “Our family believes in Jesus Christ. We immediately prayed to our God and vowed the ‘c’ word would not be spoken in our house again,” Claude shared. “Caregiving has not been a chore, but a call to action to save her life, along with saving our own lives. It taught me to understand that we were created to fight this disease one prayer at a time. One day at a time. One tear at a time and one smile at a time.”
After her diagnosis, Novlette leaned into a desire to help others and became an advocate for people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She went on to volunteer with HealthTree and the International Myeloma Foundation. Novlette’s commitment to helping inspired Claude. “The most meaningful part of my caregiving has been to see the woman I chose fight for others as well as herself,” he said.
“Caregivers are the first responders.”
For Claude, his experience as a caregiver has been a calling filled with faith, love, and purpose. “There is no doubt: this diagnosis has made my family stronger. Stronger in our faith. Stronger in our connection to others. Stronger in our love for one another,” Claude said.
Despite the challenge of facing cancer, Claude and his family have found strength in faith and each other. “I feel everyone should know that caregiving is our responsibility to love one another,” Claude said. “Cancer blindly attacks our loved ones, our neighbors, and our communities. Caregivers are the ‘first responders’ to the emergency and help extend the lives of those we love.”
Claude and Novlette continue to lift others with hope and compassion. Their story is a reminder that love, faith, and community make us stronger.
Join HealthTree Connect to talk to other caregivers
If your loved one was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma, you may feel overwhelmed. HealthTree can help you navigate this diagnosis and find the resources you need. Join HealthTree Connect and learn from other people with multiple myeloma and caregivers today.
When Claude Griffin’s wife Novlette was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in early 2016, the first emotion he felt was shock. After that, though, he found strength in his bond with his wife and son and through his faith.
This month, HealthTree Foundation is celebrating National Family Caregiver Month in November by sharing your caregiving stories.
Finding answers in faith and helping others
After receiving the news of his wife’s multiple myeloma diagnosis, Claude immediately found strength in his faith and in his bond with his family. “Our family believes in Jesus Christ. We immediately prayed to our God and vowed the ‘c’ word would not be spoken in our house again,” Claude shared. “Caregiving has not been a chore, but a call to action to save her life, along with saving our own lives. It taught me to understand that we were created to fight this disease one prayer at a time. One day at a time. One tear at a time and one smile at a time.”
After her diagnosis, Novlette leaned into a desire to help others and became an advocate for people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She went on to volunteer with HealthTree and the International Myeloma Foundation. Novlette’s commitment to helping inspired Claude. “The most meaningful part of my caregiving has been to see the woman I chose fight for others as well as herself,” he said.
“Caregivers are the first responders.”
For Claude, his experience as a caregiver has been a calling filled with faith, love, and purpose. “There is no doubt: this diagnosis has made my family stronger. Stronger in our faith. Stronger in our connection to others. Stronger in our love for one another,” Claude said.
Despite the challenge of facing cancer, Claude and his family have found strength in faith and each other. “I feel everyone should know that caregiving is our responsibility to love one another,” Claude said. “Cancer blindly attacks our loved ones, our neighbors, and our communities. Caregivers are the ‘first responders’ to the emergency and help extend the lives of those we love.”
Claude and Novlette continue to lift others with hope and compassion. Their story is a reminder that love, faith, and community make us stronger.
Join HealthTree Connect to talk to other caregivers
If your loved one was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma, you may feel overwhelmed. HealthTree can help you navigate this diagnosis and find the resources you need. Join HealthTree Connect and learn from other people with multiple myeloma and caregivers today.
about the author
Leslie Fannon Zhang
Leslie Fannon Zhang is a health and science writer and editor who joined HealthTree in 2025. She is passionate about making information about cancer and cancer care as accessible as possible. Leslie has written for the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Cancer Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
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