Myeloma Canada鈥檚 Multiple Myeloma March is back nationwide and 91大黄鸭 is taking part for the seventh time.

In 91大黄鸭, 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.

鈥淚t was nerve-wracking and scary,鈥� said Schmalz. 鈥淚 have to say that my mother started to figure out something wasn鈥檛 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.鈥�

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

鈥淚鈥檓 one of the lucky ones,鈥� said Hannett. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to be alive and to be a part of my children, Susan and Kevin, and my two grandchildren, Christopher and Josie鈥檚 lives.鈥�

While helping her mother along her journey, Schmalz became the leader of the 91大黄鸭 Myeloma Support Group and the 91大黄鸭 Multiple Myeloma March.

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

This year, the 91大黄鸭 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 91大黄鸭 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.

鈥淓very year, we鈥檙e getting closer to finding a cure,鈥� says Martine Elias, Executive Director of Myeloma Canada. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why the funds raised at the 91大黄鸭 Multiple Myeloma March are so critical. They鈥檒l help to keep myeloma research moving forward and to improve the lives of Canadians impacted by this devastating disease.鈥�

91大黄鸭鈥檚 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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