Bruce Springsteen Reveals Patti Scialfa's Blood Cancer in Remission

JAKARTA - Bruce Springsteen shared good news about his wife, Patti Scialfa. The musician said that Scialfa's blood cancer is now in remission after more than eight years.

USA Today, quoted Tuesday, August 4, reported that Springsteen delivered the news while appearing virtually at the Pan-Mass Challenge cycling fundraiser rally in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Friday, July 31.

"As you know, Patti has been living with multiple myeloma for more than eight years, but now, thankfully, she is in remission," Springsteen said.

Remission is a condition when signs and symptoms of a disease, including cancer, are reduced or undetectable after treatment. This condition still needs to be monitored by a doctor.

After delivering the news, Springsteen performed an acoustic solo version of Born to Run. He was seen performing from his home studio in Colts Neck.

Springsteen also touched on his family's journey with cancer. According to Springsteen, hope for patients often comes from the people who accompany them.

"Like millions of families facing cancer, we learned what every patient learns. Hope has a face," Springsteen said.

"It was the doctors who never stopped searching and caring. It was our nurses who sat by our side when we were scared, who always made our journey a little easier," he said.

Springsteen said Dr. Paul Richardson and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute team in Boston accompanied Patti's treatment journey. He said the medical team gave hope, treatment, and cutting-edge research for patients and families.

Scialfa has been a member of the E Street Band since 1984. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2018.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells. These cells are in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system, according to the American Cancer Society.

On that occasion, Springsteen also emphasized the importance of medical research. He said Patti's experience made his family see firsthand the meaning of research for cancer patients.

"Medical research is not just an idea. It's not politics. It's not a number in the budget. It's the reason families find hope when hope feels the hardest to find," Springsteen said.

The Pan-Mass Challenge was held on August 1 and 2. The cycling event raises funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

According to organizers, the Pan-Mass Challenge has raised $1.125 billion for Dana-Farber since 1980.

At the beginning of his message, Springsteen said Billy Starr from the Pan-Mass Challenge once sent him a letter in 1984 to invite him to attend.

"Well, we're a little late, but we're finally here, and happy to be with you," Springsteen said.

Scialfa has previously spoken about his illness in the documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. He said the rare blood cancer affected his immune system.

"It affects my immune system, so I have to be careful about what I do and where I go," Scialfa said in the documentary.

He said he still comes to one or two shows occasionally and sings a few songs on stage.

"That's the new normal for me now, and I'm okay with it," he said.

Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa have three children, Evan, 35, Jessica, 34, and Sam, 32. Sam is the father of Lily.

Jessica once won a silver medal in the women's team road race with the United States equestrian team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was held in 2021.

On June 6, Springsteen also expressed his love for Scialfa during the inauguration of the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Monmouth University, Long Branch.

"Without him, so much of this would not have happened," Springsteen said, wiping away tears.

"His love, talent, patience, and support are the center of everything I do. He is my heart, my soul. He has fought and he is my hero and my favorite E Street Band member," he said.