Waterloo region residents call for more research on treatments at annual Multiple Myeloma March
An incurable disease brought people together in Kitchener on Sunday to spread awareness, raise money, and promote hope.
Dozens of people with red shirts and flowers pinned to their chest marched around Steckle Heritage Farm in the annual Multiple Myeloma March.
Multiple myeloma is the second most common form of blood cancer. Stem cell surgery is the standard treatment for the disease, along with chemotherapy, which can last from four to six months. The number of Canadians living with myeloma is on the rise, and advocates are calling for more research and better access to life-saving treatments and care.
“Every year, we’re getting closer to finding a cure,” says Martine Elias, executive director of Myeloma Canada. “That’s why the funds raised at the Kitchener-Waterloo Multiple Myeloma March are so critical. They help to keep myeloma research moving forward and to improve the lives of Canadians impacted by this devastating disease.”
Some participants know first hand what it’s like to live with the blood cancer.
“I was definitely shocked and surprised because no one in my family has myeloma. We have other cancers, but this is the first I ever heard what that cancer was and what it could even possibly be,” said Janene Sarabura, who is currently in full remission.
Support group organizer and myeloma patient Susan McDowell says she’s glad to be out and about with others instead of Zoom calls.
“Everybody’s had the same challenges with COVID because myeloma patients are typically immunocompromised. We’ve really struggled with that but I think the community has been able to connect strongly.”
McDowell was diagnosed in 2016 and after getting stem cell surgery, she relapsed in 2019. She is now in full remission.
“We know we’re going to relapse and that’s one of the things. The research is looking for longer remission periods and moving towards a cure,” explained McDowell.
Organizers were hoping to raise $20,000 and shining a spotlight on other advancements.
Rapid Novor, a local bio-tech company and top fundraiser for the event, was on hand to share their work on the medical front.
Rapid Novor, a bio-tech company, is the top fundraiser for this event. “Essentially, we’re developing a test called Easy-M that is not invasive and very sensitive,” said Mingjie Xie, co-founder of Rapid Novor.
Their diagnostic blood test is currently in a pre-trial stage and they’re hoping to get it to market in a few years.
The co-founder says bringing out company employees helps them see who they are trying to help.
“I feel just talking with people in the community, so that we have a sense of how important our work is and how we can help patients, is very important.”
Kitchener-Waterloo is one of more than 34+ communities across Canada participating in the event. Nationally, Myeloma Canada’s March aims to raise $750,000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Attempt to have murder charge quashed against alleged serial killer dismissed by judge
A motion filed by the man accused of killing four Indigenous women in Winnipeg to have one of those murder charges quashed has been dismissed by the judge – weeks before the start of his trial.
Government proposes new policy for federally regulated employees to disconnect from work
In their 2024 budget, the federal government wants to amend the Canada Labour Code, so employers in federally regulated sectors will eliminate work-related communication with employees outside of scheduled hours. If implemented, this would affect roughly 500,000 employees across the country.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.