Patti Scialfa From E Street Band Announces Blood Cancer Diagnosis

Patti Scialfa, a longtime member of the E Street Band and Bruce Springsteen’s wife has shared her ongoing struggle with blood cancer.

In the new documentary, Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Scialfa speaks publicly about her diagnosis for the first time. “In 2018, well, Bruce and I were doing a play on Broadway. I was diagnosed with early-stage multiple myeloma,” she revealed, as reported by People. Scialfa added that “touring has become a challenge for me” due to her condition.

Multiple myeloma is a rare type of cancer that forms in plasma cells within the bone marrow. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Multiple myeloma treatment isn’t always needed right away. If the multiple myeloma is slow growing and isn’t causing symptoms, close watching might be the first step.” The American Cancer Society states that less than 1% of women in the United States are diagnosed with this condition.

In Road Diary, Scialfa discusses how her life has changed since her diagnosis and how she has adapted to her “new normal.” Having been a part of the E Street Band since 1984 and married to Springsteen since 1991, Scialfa has faced adjustments in her career and personal life. She explained:

“This affects my immune system, so I just have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go.
“Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs onstage, and that’s been a treat. That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m OK with that.”

Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8 and will be available on Hulu and Disney+ on October 25. Meanwhile, Springsteen and the E Street Band continue their 2024 tour, with concerts planned through November and more shows scheduled in Europe for 2025.