The seventh annual Greg Roberts Memorial Myeloma Walk/Run will be raising awareness and funds to support research to help cure the potentially deadly blood cancer on Sept. 25 in Airdrie’s East Lake Regional Park.
According to Myeloma Canada, about 11 Canadians are diagnosed with myeloma – one of the most common blood cancers – every day in this country, and that number has been rising every year. Myeloma Canada facilitates the Multiple Mylemoa March every year, with walks taking place around the country.
Rocky View County resident Trish Murray is organizing Airdrie local march on behalf of Myeloma Canada this Sunday.
It’s a cause that is highly personal for Murray, who was diagnosed with an even rarer and more aggressive form of the disease called multiple myeloma two years ago. The disease caused painful outbreaks in both her spine and her jaw.
After aggressive radiation treatment and a stem cell transplant, Murray is grateful the disease is now in remission. However, Murray admitted the long-term prognosis for the disease is still not very good, with a high chance of recurrence. It is a reality she has learned to accept over the past two years.
“I still take immuno-therapy drugs to keep the myeloma away, and there is no cure at the moment for myeloma,” Murray said. “So, as much as I try to stay positive about it, there is always the chance it will relapse some time in the future.
“Nobody knows what tomorrow holds. It’s an unknown for everyone; so I try not to dwell on it. I try to live every day as healthy as possible, and do whatever I can to do what the doctors say to do – and hope.”
Murray said when she went into remission, she vowed to live every day to the fullest, and to do whatever she can to help others living with the disease.
“I am at a point in my treatment where I am feeling good and have lots of energy,” she explained. “So, I did want to do something for the myeloma community, and I contacted Myeloma Canada.”
According to Murray, it just so happened the national organization didn’t have anyone to organize the Airdrie version of the Multiple Myeloma March this year.
“That is why I took it on, but, ultimately, it is raising awareness about what multiple myeloma is,” she said.
The Airdrie march – named after resident Greg Roberts, who passed away from multiple myeloma in 2014 – benefits those suffering in three different ways, according to Murray. First and foremost, she said, it helps raise awareness of what is a misunderstood and relatively unknown form of blood cancer.
“Because (myeloma) doesn’t get the publicity the other (blood) diseases do, (the Airdrie march) is relatively small,” she said. “My goal is to get more people out … to raise awareness by talking about it and to increase understanding of what it actually is.”
The second benefit of the Greg Roberts Memorial Myeloma Walk/Run, explained Murray, is the funds it raises to help fund myeloma research in Canada.
“In the last 15 years, there have been so many advances in treatment,” she said. “It’s amazing. The life expectancy of a myeloma patient has tripled now compared to what it was in the early 2000s. Any money that is going toward research, clinical trials, will hopefully one day lead to a cure.”
And the third, more personal, reason, said Murray, is the spiritual and emotional boost it gives to those suffering in the community with myeloma, as well as their families and caregivers.
“It makes me very emotional, because it is overwhelming the support (the march receives) from family, friends and community,” she explained. “They want to do everything they can to help.”
For local residents coming out on Sept. 25 for the five-kilometre walk/run in Airdrie’s East Lake Regional Park, Murray promises a family- and pet-friendly event focused on fun and community. The walking part is optional, she stressed, as the most important thing is just being present.
“Chances are (the readers) will know somebody who has myeloma one day, if they don’t already,” she said. “Not to sound too dismal about it, but it is starting to become more common. Any way they could help the (myeloma) community would be really appreciated.”
For more information on the seventh annual Greg Roberts Memorial Myeloma Walk/Run, visit myelomamarch.ca. Registration takes place on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
