Husband joins march to help fight wife’s cancer
Kelowna Multiple Myeloma March starts at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 14 in Kerry Park
In 2012, Ray Pilloud was growing extremely concerned about his wife, Dianne’s, health.
She started to experience severe, unexplainable back and neck pain. The pain became so intense, that it prevented the former Whitehorse Hydro Plant employee from doing what she loved most — painting and travelling.
The couple of 51 years decided to consult a doctor. After an X-ray, Dianne was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a littleknown and incurable blood cancer of the plasma cells.
“Everything was fine until Dianne started getting mysterious back and neck pains.
“At first, we thought they were part of the normal aging process,” said Ray. “It was such a shock when we found out that she had myeloma. Most people have never heard of it. I want to change that.”
Dianne responded well to her initial treatments, and by 2014 she was in remission.
Unfortunately, that period of stability ended when Dianne relapsed in 2018.
Dianne is currently undergoing chemotherapy and is hopeful her new treatment regime will allow her to resume her passion for travelling and painting soon.
Ray feels lucky that Dianne has access to new breakthrough treatment options. “If it wasn’t for all the amazing advances in research, Dianne wouldn’t be alive today,” he said.
Ray is determined to do his part to help create awareness and raise funds for myeloma so that research continues to stay one step ahead of the disease and new drug therapies continue to be developed until a cure is found.
As such, he will be walking in the fourth annual Kelowna Multiple Myeloma March, taking place on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 10:30 a.m., starting at Kerry Park.
“Myeloma patients have seen their treatment options increase exponentially over the past decade.
“Thanks to major strides in research, not only has quality of life improved, but we’re encouraged to say that life expectancies have more than doubled in the past 15 years and this is continuing on an upward trend,” said Dr. Greg Dueck, principal investigator at the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the Southern Interior.
“We’re now seeing incredibly promising treatment options that are helping us to stay ahead of the disease, such as CAR T-Cell therapy, Bi-specific T-cell engagers (BiTEs), immunotherapies, and many more advances that are in development.
“For the first time, we can actually say that we’re getting closer to finding a cure. Investing in research is critical, which is why raising funds is more important than ever.”
The Multiple Myeloma March is Myeloma Canada’s flagship fundraiser.
In its 11th year, the five-kilometre walk/run is one of 28 across Canada.
Kelowna's fundraising objective is $10,000.
“The annual Multiple Myeloma March is not just a fun, but essential, community-building and fundraising event.
“Through the march, those whose lives have been touched by myeloma get to meet and connect with one another while raising funds for advancing critical clinical research.
“Each step taken is one that brings us closer to finding a cure,” said Martine Elias, executive director of Myeloma Canada.
For a complete list of communities hosting a Multiple Myeloma March, or to donate, visit myelomamarch.ca.