CLIMB CONTINUES
Woman raising money for multiple myeloma in honor of sister
ASHBY » Longtime town resident Pam Kelsea is forging ahead with fundraising for multiple myeloma in honor of her sister despite the scheduled Sept. 15-18 Mount Washington climb being postponed due to the pandemic.
A team of nine hikers consisting of patients with multiple myeloma, caregivers, friends and family members were set to embark on a hike up the mountain for Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma, a program with the mission of raising funds and awareness for multiple myeloma research that is a joint initiative between CURE Media Group and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) with sponsorship from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
Instead, they are each continuing their fundraising efforts and hoping that the hike will be rescheduled at some point.
Kelsea’s sister Deb Kleeman was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer which currently has no cure, in February 2015. After a long road watching her sister battle this disease, Kelsea was inspired by her resilience, grace, strength, and courage and wanted to do the hike after finding information on multiple myeloma fundraisers through an internet search.
“It means so much to me to be able to help my sister by do
ing this fundraiser,” Kelsea said. “I know she truly appreciates the work MMRF is doing to find a cure. I admire her strength in fighting this disease and am so happy to have this opportunity to support her in this way.”
According to a press release, Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma has been taking part in challenging climbs since 2016 and in the process has raised over $3 million for multiple myeloma research. All proceeds from hikes go directly to MMRF, the largest multiple myeloma nonprofit in the world.
“As a patient focused organization, the MMRF stands together with those who are battling multiple myeloma — patients, families, physicians, researchers and our partners,” said Michael Andreini, president and CEO of MMRF “This team represents a microcosm of our community and demonstrates that together, we can move mountains in our shared pursuit of a cure for each patient. This effort sponsored by GSK helps us work toward our mission of a world without multiple myeloma.”
Kelsea, who has lived in Ashby since 1993, said she added to the length of her daily walks with her dog Kipper to train for the hike and hiked local mountains as frequently as she could, including Mount Watatic in her hometown, Mount Wachusett in Princeton, and Mount Monadnock, Pack Monadnock, and Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire.
“Mount Monadnock is a great training hike as it has similar terrain to Mount Washington with some steep, rocky sections,” she said.
The plan was to hike the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail up Mount Washington to the AMC Lakes of the Clouds hut, drop off their gear, hike to the summit, then stay overnight at the hut and hike the Jewell trail down the next day. Kelsea said she expected it would be five or six hours or so of hiking each day, maybe longer, and that she planned “to take it slow.”
While the Mount Washington hike has been postponed, she said she has enjoyed the hikes leading up to it, especially the ones with her friend Trich McPherson, who has been a big source of support for Kelsea and the cause and trained with her. Kelsea said she is grateful for her friend being there with her and to those who have donated, helping her raise over $4,100 so far toward her $4,500 goal.
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of family and friends, especially during these difficult times with this pandemic,” Kelsea said. “My family so appreciates every cent people can donate and the kind words of support have been such an inspiration. We are so thankful.”
For more information and to donate, visit https:/ /give.themmrf. org/fundraiser/2882400.