Help us honor our loved one while making a difference in myeloma research.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James Kevin Drury, M.D., known to everyone as Kevin, on Friday, September 7, 2018, at the age of 68 after a 9 year battle with Multiple Myeloma. He died peacefully at his home in Encino after a lengthy stay in the hospital. We are grateful that he was able to enjoy being with family and friends for a time.

A native of Montreal, Quebec, Kevin received his Medical degree from McGill University, where he met his best friend of 50 years, Joanna. He completed his medical training in Internal Medicine and Cardiology at the Toronto General and Sunnybrooke Hospitals, where he was Chief Resident. In 1981 he came to Los Angeles for a two-year research fellowship at Cedars. Two years became 37. He joined a cardiology group at Cedars in 1983 and in 1986 started his own practice. He taught at UCLA for a time and mentored residents throughout his career. The outpouring of love from patients over the years is a testament to the caring, compassionate and capable physician he was. His car was often the last one in the Cedars doctor’s parking lot.

Kevin very much enjoyed being with his close-knit family. They enjoyed ski vacations, traveling, watching Trojan football, listening to his extensive jazz collection, cooking, and being at their 2nd home in Mammoth where he would ski and hike. He was a certified scuba diver and introduced his son to the sport so they could dive together. In spite of his declining health, through sheer force of will, Kevin was able to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding on June 1st and give an eloquent speech at the reception.

After their births in 2013 and 2015, his granddaughters took center stage. His greatest pleasure was being with the “the girls” and he couldn’t wait to take them hiking in the Eastern Sierras. But his biggest dream was to take them to Disneyland, something he talked about from the moment the oldest was born.

Kevin will be missed terribly by his wife of 45 years, Joanna (nee Langemeyer), his children Paul (Elizabeth) and Emily (Oliver), his beloved granddaughters Madeline and Lillian, brother Craig (Patty), and sister-in-law Emily (Doug). He will be lovingly remembered by his extended family, friends, patients, fellow physicians at Cedars and all the doctors, nurses and clinical partners involved in his care. They were very fond of him.

We can’t thank Dr. Robert Vescio and his outstanding team enough for their care and attention all these years. We also thank he nurses and staff at the Infusion Center and on 4 South East who could not have been more competent and compassionate

A memorial service will be held at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church, 15520 Ventura Blvd., on October 20 at 1:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will follow at his home.


The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), along with its research and medical industry partners, has fueled more studies, initiated more trials, developed more treatments, introduced more medicines, and have had a far greater impact than any other organization on myeloma. While the MMRF has made enormous progress, they still have much to do and cannot continue to do great research without your support.

Please consider joining me to fight multiple myeloma. Together we can make a difference.


About the MMRF:
The mission of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is to find a cure for multiple myeloma by relentlessly pursuing innovation that accelerates the development of next-generation treatments to extend the lives of patients. Founded in 1998 by Kathy Giusti, a multiple myeloma patient, and her twin sister Karen Andrews as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, the MMRF is a world-recognized leader in cancer research. The MMRF continues to disrupt the industry today, as a pioneer and leader at the helm of new research efforts.  Since its inception, the organization has raised over $330 million and directs nearly 90% of the total funds to research and related programs. To learn more, visit themmrf.org


Matching Gifts
Did you know you can double your impact in seconds? Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees.  Find out if your employer offers this benefit! Visit the MMRF Matching Gifts website (themmrf.org/matchinggifts) or ask your Human Resources Department!