Myeloma Canadaâs Multiple Myeloma March is back nationwide and Âé¶čAV is taking part for the seventh time.
In Âé¶čAV, the five-kilometre walk to help raise money for myeloma research. The event hits home for Joyce Hannett and her daughter, Susan Schmalz, who take part in the event every year.
Hannett was diagnosed with multiple myeloma back in Aug. 2009.
âIt was nerve-wracking and scary,â said Schmalz. âI have to say that my mother started to figure out something wasnât right by the types of tests her doctor was having her do, but we were all still in denial. And, to make matters worse, myeloma was a cancer that none of us had ever heard of or knew anything about.â
Myeloma is the second most common type of blood cancer in Canada. While Hannett, whoâs now 82, has never reached remission, sheâs hopeful that events like this help raise awareness and makes strides to get closer to a cure.
âIâm one of the lucky ones,â said Hannett. âIâm grateful to be alive and to be a part of my children, Susan and Kevin, and my two grandchildren, Christopher and Josieâs lives.â
While helping her mother along her journey, Schmalz became the leader of the Âé¶čAV Myeloma Support Group and the Âé¶čAV Multiple Myeloma March.
âWhen you have a loved one who has an incurable cancer like myeloma, youâll do anything to help them,â said Schmalz. âYou hope that there will be treatment options available when needed, and that researchers will find a cure. Iâm so proud of the work we do with the Support Group and the March. Weâve built momentum over the years as a community and are thankful for the unwavering support of Myeloma Canada.â
This year, the Âé¶čAV march is just one of 34 happening nationwide on Sunday, Sept 17. Myeloma Canada has set the goal of $750,000 raised across the country with $20,000 coming from the Âé¶čAV event. As of Sept. 1, more than $225,000 have been raised.
Across the province, the walk is also taking place in Kamloops, Prince George, Vancouver, Vancouver Island (unspecified), and White Rock.
âEvery year, weâre getting closer to finding a cure,â says Martine Elias, Executive Director of Myeloma Canada. âThatâs why the funds raised at the Âé¶čAV Multiple Myeloma March are so critical. Theyâll help to keep myeloma research moving forward and to improve the lives of Canadians impacted by this devastating disease.â
Âé¶čAVâs event will start at 10 a.m. at Kerry Park.
To register, donate, or more general information, visit .
READ MORE: Lake Country nurse suspended for three years after taking money from widower
READ MORE: Mother who lost son to drug poisoning speaks out at OD Awareness Day in Âé¶čAV
jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
