the annual Champions Walk for Myeloma Research returns for its thirteenth year on Sunday.
Like last year, the walk will take place virtually this year due to COVID-19.
Participants will complete the walk in their own neighborhoods after an online opening ceremony.
The annual walk is the London and District Myeloma Support Group’s main annual fundraiser and raises money for myeloma clinical trials at the London Regional Cancer Program.
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“Cure would be the end goal, but it’s amazing what has been added in recent years,” said Lisa Bowden, a multiple myeloma patient. “People live longer lives (and) feel good.”
Multiple myeloma is the most common type of plasma cell cancer in which abnormal plasma cells can form tumors in the bones and bone marrow, the spongy tissue found within the bones.
There is no known cure. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and put it into remission.
“We have seen a wide range of drugs that have been approved (to) treat myeloma patients,” Bowden continued. “It was through many clinical trials over the years that we got these amazing drugs that are now available.”
Londoner Heather Appleton and her family will take part in Sunday’s walk.
Appleton was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the summer of 2016.
“I was playing baseball and I thought I had tore a muscle … I was in a lot of pain for a couple of months,” he explained. “It was a tumor in my spine … I had surgery for the tumor along with chemotherapy, stem cell transplant followed by radiation, and I have been on chemotherapy ever since.”
Appleton says advances in treatment and medications have given him the opportunity to live the healthiest life possible.
“I don’t feel like a cancer patient … Life is good,” he smiled.
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The Walk of Champions was started in 2009 by myeloma patients Dan Childerhose and the late Keith Fleming.
To date, the walk has raised more than $ 750,000 for myeloma research.
Those interested in donating can do so at the Walk of Champions website.
–With files from Devon Peacock of The Canadian Press and Global News
© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Reference-globalnews.ca