Residents of Airdrie will take part in the 8th annual Greg Roberts Memorial Myeloma March on September 9, at 9:00 a.m. at Airdrie East Lake Park to help find a cure for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer. 

In honour of the national event's 15th anniversary, Airdrie is one of six communities taking part in a special Multiple Myeloma March Research Fund-sharing Partnership Program this year.

Hematologist Dr. Victor H. Jimenez Zepeda, Principal Investigator at the University of Alberta's Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, will collaborate with Airdrie's Greg Robert's Memorial Multiple Myeloma March for Myeloma Canada and be awarded a research grant of up to 50 per cent of the March's net proceeds.

The money will be used by Dr. Zepeda and his team at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre to investigate the effects of sarcopenia (skeletal muscle loss) treatments and outcomes on patients with newly diagnosed myeloma and AL amyloidosis.

myelma

Myeloma is the second most prevalent and currently incurable kind of blood cancer. Because the disease's indications and symptoms are frequently ambiguous and as diverse as the persons who have it, the sickness frequently goes unnoticed. Sadly, delays in diagnosis can result in a worse prognosis and more complications, which have an adverse effect on survival and quality of life. It could take months or years to diagnose myeloma.

“Countless Canadians may not receive their myeloma diagnosis for months or sometimes years. This has to change,” saic Martine Elias, Executive Director of Myeloma Canada. “That’s why events like the Greg Roberts Memorial Myeloma March are so crucial. The more people who know about this complicated disease, the earlier they may be diagnosed and treated, for better outcomes. The March raises awareness and vital funds to improve the lives of Canadians impacted by myeloma and move us closer to a cure.”

The Airdrie event has set its financial goal at $30,000. Myeloma Canada’s national Multiple Myeloma March objective is to raise $750,000. 

If you are looking to make a donation, click HERE.

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