Marching for a cure to blood cancer
Okanagan family raises awareness for myeloma
When Joyce Hannett was diagnosed with a little-known and incurable blood cancer in 2009, it was scary on multiple levels.
No mother ever wants to not see her children and grandchildren grow up. But when the Kelowna resident was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma at the age of 69, Hannett was discouraged to learn that because of her age, she wasn’t eligible to receive a stem cell transplant, a procedure often effective in controlling it.
However, thanks to recent advances in myeloma research, she is grateful for having options in dealing with the second most common form of blood cancer. She has tried several treatment regimens, taken part in two clinical trials and is currently on maintenance chemotherapy. While she is not in remission, she is thankful that her condition is considered stable.
Harnett remains hopeful that continued research developments will provide others living with myeloma a new lease on life and, ultimately, that a cure will be found.
“I’m one of the lucky ones. I’m grateful to be alive and to be a part of my children, Susan and Kevin, and my two grandchildren, Christopher and Josie’s lives,” said Joyce who is now 82.
Hannett and her daughter, Susan Schmalz, will participate in the seventh edition of the Kelowna Multiple Myeloma March at 10 a.m. on Sept. 17 at Kerry Park in downtown Kelowna.
“Every year, we’re getting closer to finding a cure,” said Martine Elias, executive director of Myeloma Canada. “That’s why the funds raised at the Kelowna Multiple Myeloma March are so critical. They’ll help to keep myeloma research moving forward and to improve the lives of Canadians impacted by this devastating disease.”
Hannett, Schmalz and other marchers have set a $20,000 fundraising goal to help further critical research for this deadly blood cancer and provide better access to life-saving treatments.
Every day, 11 Canadians are diagnosed with myeloma. Despite its growing prevalence, it remains largely unknown, said Elias.
“The reality is that the number of Canadians living with myeloma is on the rise, increasing the urgent need for greater investment in and access to life-saving treatments and care,” said Elias.
In August 2009, what started out as a routine checkup for Hannett’s high cholesterol soon turned into a life-changing diagnosis. During her visit, Joyce’s doctor discovered an unusual protein in her bloodwork and sent her for more tests. It wasn’t until she was sent for a third round of blood tests that she suspected something was seriously wrong.
Hannett and her family were blindsided by the diagnosis.
“It was nerve-wracking and scary,” recalled her daughter and caregiver, Susan Schmalz. “I have to say that my mother started to figure out something wasn’t 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.”
Keen to help her mother and others living with myeloma live a longer and better life, Schmalz is determined to create awareness and raise funds for this disease.
“When you have a loved one who has an incurable cancer like myeloma, you’ll do anything to help them. You hope that there will be treatment options available when needed, and that researchers will find a cure,” said Schmalz who leads the Kelowna Myeloma Support Group and the Kelowna Multiple Myeloma March.
“I’m so proud of the work we do with the support group and the march. We’ve built momentum over the years as a community and are thankful for the unwavering support of Myeloma Canada. We’ve really seen, first-hand, the good that’s being done,” added Schmalz.
Myeloma Canada’s Multiple Myeloma March is a vital nationwide event that raises money and awareness for the disease while bringing local communities closer together in support of one another. Without the funds raised at each of these essential Marches, important investments in myeloma research and drug access would be compromised, said Elias.
The Kelowna Multiple Myeloma March is one of more than 34 community events participating in Myeloma Canada’s nation-wide effort. For Canadians who aren’t located near a physical march or who wish to participate on their own, there is also a virtual march option. Nationally, Myeloma Canada’s March aims to raise $750,000. For more information, go to myelomamarch.ca.