Myeloma Canadasa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淚t was nerve-wracking and scary,sa国际传媒� said Schmalz. sa国际传媒淚 have to say that my mother started to figure out something wasnsa国际传媒檛 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.sa国际传媒�

Myeloma is the second most common type of blood cancer in Canada. While Hannett, whosa国际传媒檚 now 82, has never reached remission, shesa国际传媒檚 hopeful that events like this help raise awareness and makes strides to get closer to a cure.

sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 one of the lucky ones,sa国际传媒� said Hannett. sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 grateful to be alive and to be a part of my children, Susan and Kevin, and my two grandchildren, Christopher and Josiesa国际传媒檚 lives.sa国际传媒�

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

sa国际传媒淲hen you have a loved one who has an incurable cancer like myeloma, yousa国际传媒檒l do anything to help them,sa国际传媒� said Schmalz. sa国际传媒淵ou hope that there will be treatment options available when needed, and that researchers will find a cure. Isa国际传媒檓 so proud of the work we do with the Support Group and the March. Wesa国际传媒檝e built momentum over the years as a community and are thankful for the unwavering support of Myeloma Canada.sa国际传媒�

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.

sa国际传媒淓very year, wesa国际传媒檙e getting closer to finding a cure,sa国际传媒� says Martine Elias, Executive Director of Myeloma Canada. sa国际传媒淭hatsa国际传媒檚 why the funds raised at the Kelowna Multiple Myeloma March are so critical. Theysa国际传媒檒l help to keep myeloma research moving forward and to improve the lives of Canadians impacted by this devastating disease.sa国际传媒�

Kelownasa国际传媒檚 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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