Multiple Myeloma March participants encouraged to walk their neighbourhoods

NEWS RELEASE
MYELOMA CANADA
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When Craig Morrison was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a little-known and incurable cancer of the plasma cells, it didn’t come as a complete surprise. Craig, a retired Canadian Border Services employee, had known for over 20 years that there was a possibility he would develop the disease. In 1993, during a routine physical, Craig’s doctor noticed an unusual protein in his blood and began monitoring him closely. Twenty-three years later, in the fall of 2016, Craig’s doctor referred him to a specialist after discovering a change in his blood work. After undergoing a series of tests, including a bone marrow biopsy, Craig was diagnosed with myeloma at 59 years old.
 
“After reading about the symptoms some myeloma patients experience, I consider myself lucky that I didn’t endure nearly as much pain and suffering as others,” says Craig, who continues to focus on the positive.
 
Shortly after his diagnosis, Craig underwent extensive chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant in August 2017. Despite a long and challenging recovery, Craig’s cancer was declared in remission in December of the same year.  He is currently receiving maintenance treatment to keep the cancer at bay.
 
“I feel so grateful to be alive…so lucky to have access to different drugs which wouldn’t have been possible a few years ago,” says Craig. “I want to do my part in the fight against myeloma. The best way I know how, is to help fund research that will, I hope, find a cure sooner than later.”
 
Now that his condition is stable, Craig has been able to resume his favourite pastimes – 3/4 golf, exercise, and daily walks with his wife. He is also eager to do what he can to help others living with myeloma, having seen, first-hand, the life-changing impact advances in myeloma research are having on the lives of people living with this incurable cancer.
 
That’s why Craig and his family are more intent than ever to raise as much awareness and funds for myeloma as they can, and will be participating in Myeloma Canada’s 10th annual Sault Ste. Marie Multiple Myeloma March on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m.
 
This year’s Sault Ste. Marie Multiple Myeloma March has been modified to help stop the spread of COVID-19. In compliance with physical distancing measures, participants are encouraged to hold their own walk in their neighbourhood at the same time as the regularly scheduled March on Sunday, Sept. 13. Craig and his fellow marchers have set their goal to raise $20,000 to help further crucial research for this deadly blood cancer that affects nine new Canadians every day.
 
“Myeloma research has produced extremely promising results over the past two decades.  In fact, for the first time, there’s a cure in sight,” says Dr Silvana Spadafora, Principal Investigator at the Algoma District Cancer Program. “That being said, we can’t afford to let the current situation stop the progress we’ve made and put vulnerable people living with myeloma at risk, which is why it’s more crucial than ever to invest in research and find a cure.”
 
The Multiple Myeloma March, Myeloma Canada’s flagship fundraiser is now in its 12th year. The annual five-kilometer event brings Canadian communities together to raise essential funds for research and to help improve the lives of all Canadians impacted by myeloma. Sault Ste. Marie is one of a record 33 communities across the country to be included in this year’s Multiple Myeloma March. The national fundraising goal is set at $650,000. To learn more about how this event will be working, please click here.
 
“While this year’s March will undoubtedly be different because of the pandemic, it’s crucial to stay positive,” says Martine Elias, executive director of Myeloma Canada. “Fundraising has taken a huge hit for many organizations. We need to do all we can to increase awareness and raise essential funds for research that will improve the lives of Canadians impacted by myeloma, and bring us closer to a cure,” Martine added. “As we mark Myeloma Canada’s 15th anniversary, we celebrate the strength of our incredible community.  More than ever, we’re counting on our supporters to help us achieve our goal of $650,000. Canadians impacted by this incurable cancer are depending on us.”
 
This year, a minimum of 50% of funds raised by the Multiple Myeloma March will go directly to support Myeloma Canada’s Myeloma Research Priority Setting Partnership (PSP), the first program of its kind in myeloma. The PSP will use input provided by the Canadian myeloma community to identify and define investments in myeloma research over the next 18 months. The balance raised will go toward supporting various myeloma research projects and initiatives that are pivotal for improving quality of life and moving the needle toward a cure.

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