The Danube Boys

Meet John Gremillion and Joe White, also known as the Danube Boys! They are biking the entire length of the Danube River, a journey that will take them 1850 miles from Germany’s Black Forest to the Black Sea in Romania! They are a long way off from their home state of Texas, to say the least. Joe’s mother, Norma White, would have met them in Vienna, but this past November she lost her battle with multiple myeloma. They are raising money for multiple myeloma in her honor, and already their efforts have garnered a great deal of support; they raised nearly $3,500 in the first week of their trip! The Danube Boys have been keeping us posted on their whereabouts, chronicling the ups and downs along the way in their blog. Check out their BLOG and their Facebook page and keep up with them on their journey!

Running Through Hometown Philly

A strong sense of accomplishment and hometown pride fill Karen Rosenfeld each year as she races through the heart of Philadelphia on the Philadelphia Broad Street 10 miler. She only began running four years ago, and each year she has completed the 10 miler. Her mom, who passed away from multiple myeloma in 2000, never knew her as a runner, but as Karen raises money for the MMRF and runs the race in her honor, she hopes her mom is proud of her and all she has accomplished. Karen has achieved a lot as an athlete, but what brings the greatest satisfaction is “knowing each step [she takes] is representative of the steps taken to find a cure for this horrible disease.” She knows her mom is with her “every step of the way,” watching over her as she completes her fourth consecutive 10-miler in her honor.

Make Like A Mountain Goat!

Kaitlin and her dad

This summer, Kaitlin “The Goat” Bridgers is taking on the Mt. St. Evans Ascent- the highest road race in America- for myeloma research! She calls this event “her biggest athletic test” yet, and with good reason; it starts at 10,066 feet, and it takes runners up 3,600 feet up through thin mountain air, variable weather conditions and difficult terrain. Kaitlin is a seasoned athlete, having previously completed a marathon and several half marathons, and she wanted “an event that would be a new challenge.”  She’s ready to make like a mountain goat and tackle the Rockies for her dad, who was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She wanted to do something to contribute to research for a cure, and now her commitment to supporting her dad and other myeloma patients is taking her to all new heights- 14,264 feet above sea level to be exact!  

Bob's Tacoma Bike Tour.. To Albertson's!

Age is just a number to Bob Stidwell, who, at 80 years old, is biking from his home to every Albertsons grocery store in Tacoma, WA and 3 stores in Olympia, WA to raise money for myeloma research! In 2007, his wife Pat was stricken with multiple myeloma, and as he cared for her, he came up with a plan to raise awareness for the disease and funds to help find a cure. A self-proclaimed “bike nut since 1953,” Bob has ridden thousands of miles through North America. For four years his bike remained unused as he cared for Pat, and when she passed away in 2011, he donned his helmet once again to help find a cure for the disease she battled for so long. Every Sunday, he sets out to a different Albertsons store to set up donation sites; some are as far as 35 miles away from his house! To add some excitement, he has created a competition among the stores to see which would raise the most money, and after visiting only two stores, he raised $1200! After completing his Albertsons bike tour, Bob will have ridden 328 miles, a number he finds no more intimidating than his age. “I wanted to face this challenge,” he says, “ and I believe there is much more work to be done to make this dream a reality…and ultimately find a cure for Multiple Myeloma.” Bob’s determination and courage are truly inspiring, and every Sunday at Albertsons, he shows what it means to pursue a dream.

Marty's Bike Tour- Up the East Coast!

When Marty Perlmutter’s best friend Roy Gross was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, he started planning an epic, 1,400 mile bike ride that would take him all the way from Jacksonville Florida to Kittery, Maine. At that point, Marty “had no clue there was even a disease called multiple myeloma,” but he promised Roy that, though he couldn’t cure his cancer, he would ride 1,400 miles along the east coast of the United States to raise money for the MMRF. This summer he is making good on that promise to Roy, who lost his battle with this devastating disease this past March. Before he passed, Roy requested that his friends and relatives donate to his “best friend Marty Perlmutter” and his ride rather than sending flowers to his funeral. Marty aims to raise $20,000 this summer so that he might make a difference in another patient’s life in the future. “I lost my best friend to MM,” he says, “and I have to do something for him…this ride is in his memory.”

Check out Marty’s blog and his Facebook page to keep up with him on his journey!

A Cure for Clara

Heather Head and her dedicated team have run the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincy, Ohio three times in the past with the MMRF, and this year they are doing it again! Over the years Heather has raised more than $6,000 for the MMRF, and for her mother, Clara Urban, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2009. Clara has recently gone through intense chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, and we are happy to report that she is currently in remission. Heather is thankful that the average remission time for myeloma patients has increased over the last several years, but she isn’t running for longer remissions- she is running for a cure!