Myeloma Canada害羞草研究所檚 Multiple Myeloma March is back nationwide and Kelowna is taking part for the seventh time.

In Kelowna, the five-kilometre walk to help raise money for myeloma research. The event hits home for Joyce Hannett and her daughter, Susan Schmalz, who take part in the event every year.

Hannett was diagnosed with multiple myeloma back in Aug. 2009.

害羞草研究所淚t was nerve-wracking and scary,害羞草研究所� said Schmalz. 害羞草研究所淚 have to say that my mother started to figure out something wasn害羞草研究所檛 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.害羞草研究所�

Myeloma is the second most common type of blood cancer in Canada. While Hannett, who害羞草研究所檚 now 82, has never reached remission, she害羞草研究所檚 hopeful that events like this help raise awareness and makes strides to get closer to a cure.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 one of the lucky ones,害羞草研究所� said Hannett. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 grateful to be alive and to be a part of my children, Susan and Kevin, and my two grandchildren, Christopher and Josie害羞草研究所檚 lives.害羞草研究所�

While helping her mother along her journey, Schmalz became the leader of the Kelowna Myeloma Support Group and the Kelowna Multiple Myeloma March.

害羞草研究所淲hen you have a loved one who has an incurable cancer like myeloma, you害羞草研究所檒l do anything to help them,害羞草研究所� said Schmalz. 害羞草研究所淵ou hope that there will be treatment options available when needed, and that researchers will find a cure. I害羞草研究所檓 so proud of the work we do with the Support Group and the March. We害羞草研究所檝e built momentum over the years as a community and are thankful for the unwavering support of Myeloma Canada.害羞草研究所�

This year, the Kelowna march is just one of 34 happening nationwide on Sunday, Sept 17. Myeloma Canada has set the goal of $750,000 raised across the country with $20,000 coming from the Kelowna event. As of Sept. 1, more than $225,000 have been raised.

Across the province, the walk is also taking place in Kamloops, Prince George, Vancouver, Vancouver Island (unspecified), and White Rock.

害羞草研究所淓very year, we害羞草研究所檙e getting closer to finding a cure,害羞草研究所� says Martine Elias, Executive Director of Myeloma Canada. 害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 why the funds raised at the Kelowna Multiple Myeloma March are so critical. They害羞草研究所檒l help to keep myeloma research moving forward and to improve the lives of Canadians impacted by this devastating disease.害羞草研究所�

Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 event will start at 10 a.m. at Kerry Park.

To register, donate, or more general information, visit .

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jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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