Défi Cyclo-myélome
Quebec comedian and actress, Marie-lyne Joncas lends her support to raise awareness about a little-known and incurable cancer
This year, organizers of the Défi Cyclo-myélome have teamed-up with well-known Quebec comedian and actress Marie-lyne Joncas who will lend her voice to the cause. The event, held on May 25, involves over 110 cyclists and will take place in the region of Brome-missisquoi. For the seventh consecutive year, the cyclists will be raising awareness and funds for research on multiple myeloma, a little-known and incurable cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow.
“When the founders of the Défi Cyclomyélome, Maryse Bouchard and Francine Ducas, asked me if I wanted to be their spokesperson, I agreed immediately. To be perfectly honest, I was hoping they would,” explained Marie-lyne, whose family has been directly affected by the disease.
Marie-lyne got involved with the Défi Cyclo-myélome after her step-father, Guy Ménard, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2016. Thanks to a bone marrow transplant and new treatments, Guy is currently stable.
“There is a community of researchers, medical staff and experienced volunteers who work very hard to help myeloma patients and their loved ones improve their quality of life. I am proud to be able to contribute in the fight against myeloma in my own way,” added Marie-lyne.
Guy, who has been an avid cyclist for more than 20 years, will ride alongside his wife, Denise de Launière. Together, they will defy myeloma, one kilometre at a time.
“It warms my heart to see Marie-lyne getting involved,” confessed Guy. “With a disease like myeloma, which is incurable,
but manageable, research is of the utmost importance. The best way to support research is to raise money.”
Funds raised through the Défi Cyclomyélome will benefit the Myeloma Canada Chair on multiple myeloma of Université de Montréal at Hôpital Maisonneuve-rosemont led by Dr. Richard Leblanc. Dr. Leblanc is a hematologist and medical oncologist at Hôpital Maisonneuve-rosemont. He is also a clinical professor at the Université de Montréal.
“Clinical research, which is impossible without funding, allows us to improve treatments for patients with multiple myeloma, and to provide access to promising new drugs that are not otherwise accessible,” explained Dr. Leblanc who will also participate in the cyclothon.
The Défi Cyclo-myélome will be held May 25, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Érablière Domaine de l’artisan (396 Hallé Street West, Brigham). Participants can choose between a 90 km or 60 km loop. Cyclists will travel through the towns of Brigham, Farnham, Bedford and Saintarmand. The fundraising goal is $75,000. To date, organizers have already reached 95% of their goal with over $70,000 having been raised.
Défi Cyclo-myélome is an annual cycling event that creates awareness about multiple myeloma and raises funds for research on this incurable and littleknown cancer.
Défi Cyclo-myélome was funded in 2013 by multiple myeloma survivors Maryse Bouchard and Francine Ducas. The event has raised over $350,000 for multiple myeloma research. Every day, eight Canadians are diagnosed with myeloma.