Name: Bruce Springsteen's Wife Opens Up About Her Battle With Blood Cancer
Genre: Documentary
Rating: 9.0

In a deeply personal moment, Bruce Springsteen’s wife, Patti Scialfa, has shared her journey with blood cancer in the new documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. This film dives into the challenges and triumphs of one of rock music’s most beloved figures, offering fans an intimate look at what it’s like to be part of the Springsteen family.

Patti Scialfa Takes the Spotlight in New Documentary

The film made its debut on Sunday, September 8, at the prestigious Toronto Film Festival. In it, Patti, who has been a cherished member of the E Street Band since 1984, opens up about her battle with early-stage multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. She explains how this diagnosis has changed her approach to touring and performing, as well as her overall lifestyle.

Patti’s New Normal: Balancing Health and Music

At 71 years old, Patti is candid about the adjustments she’s had to make since her diagnosis in 2018. "This affects my immune system, so I have to be careful about where I go and what I do," she said. Despite these limitations, she finds joy in her occasional appearances with the band. "Every once in a while, I come to a show or two and sing a few songs on stage. That’s been a real treat for me. This is the new normal, and I’m okay with it," she added with a sense of acceptance and grace.

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Patti’s journey with multiple myeloma began in 2018, right around the time she and Bruce were performing their Broadway play. She explains, "I’ve been performing with this band for 40 years. Those first performances after my diagnosis felt so good to be back onstage. But touring has become a challenge for me. It’s just not as easy as it used to be."

A New Chapter for the E Street Band

The E Street Band’s latest tour kicked off in February 2023 and is set to conclude in July 2025. Though Patti’s appearances on the tour are limited, she sees them as special opportunities to connect with fans. "Performing on stage with Bruce allows people to see a side of our relationship that they usually don’t get to witness," she said. "It’s a unique experience, and I’m grateful for it."

Bruce Springsteen’s Wife Patti Scialfa Has Blood Cancer — Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Prioritizing Family and Music

Over the past year, Patti has chosen to focus her energy on her solo album and spending quality time with her grandchildren. "I didn’t feel as needed in the way because there were a lot of musicians on stage," she explained to Asbury Park Press in October 2023. "I thought, 'This is good. This is completely intact. There’s not much room for me to add anything special.' So, I took the opportunity to work on my record."

Patti and Bruce, who have been married since 1991, share three children: Evan, Jessica, and Sam. Their first grandchild was born to Sam and his partner in July 2022. "Bruce is always in the studio when he’s home, so it was the perfect time for me to finish my record," she added.

Bruce’s Health Challenges

Bruce, now 74, has also faced his share of health hurdles since the tour began, including peptic ulcer disease and vocal issues, which led to the postponement of several tour dates. "He’s 74 and still performing to packed crowds and getting great reviews for the show," an insider revealed to Closer in August. "But not too long ago, he was too sick to even sing. His stomach hurt too much from the peptic ulcer. Since then, he’s adjusted his routine and tries not to stress about the little things because stress is a killer."

"The biggest issue is that his ulcer pain can flare up at any time, and he has to pull back and address it," the source added. "It breaks his heart to have to disappoint a stadium full of fans by canceling a show. Bruce grew up in a working-class family, and he knows how much effort fans put into coming to see him perform. They take time off work, hire babysitters, and book hotels."