Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen's wife of 33 years and bandmate for over 40, has revealed that she's had a rare form of blood cancer know as multiple myeloma since 2018.
The news came out during the premiere showing of the film Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sunday. Scialfa finally talks about her diagnosis and how its affected her ability to tour with the band in the documentary.
People magazine reports that Scialfa explains in the film that her cancer affects her immune system and that she "has to be careful what [she] choose[s] to do and where [she] choose[s] to go." She adds: “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 okay with that.”
She also speaks about the band's current tour in the film, explaining that she's "been performing with this band for 40 years. With those first performances, it felt so good to be back onstage. Touring has become a challenge for me.” She says she particularly enjoys when she and Bruce sing “Fire” together.
Springsteen himself has recently been battling peptic ulcer disease, which has caused him to postpone a tour and a number of individual shows the past couple of years.
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will begin streaming on Hulu and Disney+ on October 25th.