Our hundreds of amazing, dedicated and passionate volunteers from all over Canada are hard at work organizing, promoting, and fundraising for their local (and virtual) marches, celebrating with their family and friends, and bonding with their community. 

With 30 marches down, and more than10 to go, our 16th annual Multiple Myeloma March season is still very much in full gear.

As such, I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some background on this inspiring event and its history. The march is not only important to and for Myeloma Canada, but to and for the thousands of Canadians across the country whose lives have been affected by this disease in one way or another. 

The Multiple Myeloma March was created in Montreal (QC) in 2009 by Maryse Bouchard, a person living with multiple myeloma, and her close friend, Sylvie-Chantale Duquette. The two were on a mission to drive change and raise awareness and funds for myeloma.

So, together with 300 marchers, the first Multiple Myeloma March was officially born, raising an impressive $34,000 and paving the way for a tremendous annual and national movement.

In 2011, the march raised close to $400,000 and grew to six communities: Halifax, Montreal, Saskatoon, Sault Ste Marie, Windsor and Winnipeg. In 2012, Ottawa, Mississauga, St John’s, NL and Quebec City joined in, bringing the number of participating Canadian communities to 11, with more than 2,000 participants. In 2016, five more communities came on board, and a fundraising record of $512,363 was reached, surpassing the ambitious goal of $500,000. From there, the momentum was unstoppable. 

The Multiple Myeloma March is much more than fundraising; it was born from a need and desire to connect – and create – community and spread awareness for myeloma. This annual national event empowers and celebrates life, hope and resilience.

Year after year, seasoned and veteran marchers gather together and share a unique and powerful experience that unites, inspires, supports and comforts. Witnessing and sharing hugs, laughter, smiles and tears is a moving reminder of how important and meaningful these marches are. Not only are the marches deeply personal, they’re often life-changing.

The credit for the growth of the Multiple Myeloma March goes to the tens of thousands of volunteers, donors, sponsors, partners, allies, and marchers who, over the years, continue to make myeloma matter.

While guided by Myeloma Canada, the marches are community-driven and almost exclusively volunteer run.

This year, the season is poised to be another resounding success with over

42 local marches as well as virtual events.

The marches have been Myeloma Canada’s annual flagship fundraising and community-building event for 16 years. Every year, the number of participating local communities grows, the marches become stronger, and the personal ties that keep them going, stronger still. 

The impact of the annual marches hits far and wide. These 5km family-oriented events reinforce a sense of togetherness, camaraderie, shared understandings, and optimism.

When Myeloma Canada was founded in 2005, one of our organization’s main goals was to ensure that no one felt – or went through – their experience alone. When I have the privilege of attending any of the marches, I am consistently overwhelmed by the strength and love within our local and national myeloma community. I’m moved by the number of friends and family members supporting one another and the cause.

There is no doubt: we are there for each other…no one is alone.

We still have much work to do to reach every Canadian impacted by myeloma and let them know we are here. That Myeloma Canada is the national myeloma organization to which to turn with the resources and programs needed to better understand how to navigate life with the disease. That we have a network of 50+ support groups across the country, six Facebook/virtual groups to join, peer support programs, and MC Lounge, a unique and secure online platform through which they can connect to others within our national Myeloma Canada community. And of course, there are our community-building events like the march, the Myeloma Canada Ride, and the Grand Rappel to bring everyone together and celebrate life while raising funds and awareness for the disease.

Events like the march are living proof of how a few can make a tremendous impact and difference in the lives of so many.

I would hope and imagine that Maryse and Sylvie-Chantal are beyond proud of the movement they initiated. We certainly are.

There's still time to sign up for a march near you. Take the opportunity to connect with others, share your story or find out why someone else is participating. Either way, know that by joining in, you’re fostering an ever-growing grassroot movement that embraces human connections, supports shared lived experiences, represents hope and contributes to improving the lives of thousands. 

Whether you're celebrating, honouring or supporting someone whose life has been impacted by myeloma, your participation is everything...energizing, meaningful, heartwarming, and appreciated. 

With heart-felt thanks and gratitude,

Martine

www.myelomamarch.ca