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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
B.C. theatre to pay $55K to neurodivergent actor in discrimination case
British Columbia's human rights tribunal has awarded a neurodigergent actor, who was diagnosed with sensory and learning disorders, more than $55,000 after finding that a Kelowna theatre company discriminated against him because of his disabilities.
Who's responsible for regulating cannabis stores operating under the sovereignty banner?
It's not quite clear who is supposed to be regulating so-called sovereign cannabis stores or even ensure they're benefiting Indigenous communities.