Breaking Down Doors: How Michael Riotto Is Giving Back

I had the pleasure of getting to know Michael Riotto this past summer while we worked together on his fundraising project for HealthTree. I found Michael’s upbeat attitude contagious, and his story inspiring, and I was eager to learn more. Today, I share it with you.

Michael's Myeloma Story 

Michael Riotto was 51 years old when he started his myeloma journey through a maze of chemotherapy, radiation, broken bones, multiple surgeries, and a stem cell transplant.

Michael was enjoying a day at the beach with his family when a crash of the waves knocked him over, resulting in a fractured neck. When the results of his MRI came in, his doctor described the image as “moth-eaten”. Michael and his wife Monique were completely shocked by his new multiple myeloma diagnosis. This was a disease neither one of them had ever even heard of before. 

After several rounds of induction chemotherapy and infusions, Michael started to do a deep dive into myeloma research leading him to talk to his doctor about an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). 

Michael’s ASCT was performed on December 29th, 2011, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he continued maintenance therapy for nine years. 

During this time, Michael’s wife and family have been a huge source of support through all of his myeloma trials. 

Myeloma has taught Michael that life is a gift not to be wasted. "You get one opportunity to live it to the fullest, so do not throw it away. That means finding new opportunities when one door closes. It means being passionate, compassionate, and relentless." 

Having a diagnosis like multiple myeloma closes a lot of doors, but Michael found that by opening other doors that were placed on his path, he was able to find a new place in his mind, body, and soul. 

• Door 1: Michael learned to love exercise, especially walking, because it helped to clear his mind. 
• Door 2: Becoming a myeloma coach with The HealthTree Foundation. Michael is proud to help his fellow “coachees” by showing them how to navigate and understand their journey by educating and offering strength. One way Michael does this is by sharing his 12 years of experience with them. “Myeloma is a difficult disease, medically and mentally,” he says,  “If I can help just one person navigate to a better life, I will feel like I have made a difference.”
• Door 3: Michael found a deep passion for patient advocacy, so he began telling his story to patients from many different organizations, support groups, and more. Michael also advocates for his fellow myeloma patients by traveling to Washington, D.C., where he meets with congressmen and senators to make a difference in patients’ lives. 
• Door 4: As doors began opening for Michael, he decided he wanted to open them all. This last door led him to run for public office as the local Warwick Township Supervisor, and he won! This will be a 6-year term that he is confident he will be alive to finish. Michael is looking forward to achieving this goal, along with more anniversaries with his beautiful wife and meeting his future grandchildren. 

Raising $12,000 for Myeloma Research 

This year Michael, his wife Monique, and their two adult children, Christina and Theodore, hosted a fundraising campaign, the M&M Sluggers, where all proceeds went to fund myeloma research at The HealthTree Foundation. 

The passion and commitment Michael has for this campaign are evident when you look at all of the hard work he put into promoting it. He sent over 300 emails on three separate occasions, posted on his different social media platforms seven times, and talked with his neighbors, and members of his community. 

Michael chose to fundraise for The HealthTree Foundation because he believes “Jenny has the right approach to finding a [myeloma] cure, and [they] are family to me”. 

The M&M Sluggers campaign raised over $12,000! I know I speak for all of us at The HealthTree Foundation by offering our sincerest gratitude for all of the time and hard work Michael and Monique put into their campaign. 

This money raised will directly fund myeloma studies that are being done with top researchers and HealthTree Cure Hub, a patient-data platform where people can anonymously upload their information for the benefit of research. 

“I want a cure for me and for my myeloma friends,” Michael says, “It is time and HealthTree is ready.”

You can join Michael and many other myeloma research supporters:

1. Participate in research by creating an account and joining HealthTree Cure Hub, where you can view personalized, recommended treatment options, track your myeloma, and participate in myeloma research by completing patient surveys. 
2. Join us to donate or Fundraise to support 50 days to $500K for myeloma research our end-of-year campaign. You can also donate by texting CURE to 24365, calling 800-709-1113, emailing donations@healthtree.org, or by visiting our website https://healthtree.org/myeloma

Thank you, Michael, and your team of supporters. None of our success would be possible without generous supporters like you. Your commitment and kindness are inspirational.