February, 2025

I am Francine Ducas, an active woman with a passion for life. I had a job I loved and activities that brought me joy, when I started to feel very tired and experienced pain that I thought was muscular. I consulted the doctor who, following a blood test, referred me to the hematology department.  

It was on February 14, 2007, Valentine's Day 18 years ago, that I received the GIFT of my cancer diagnosis...multiple myeloma.

At the time, I was given between 3 and 5 years to live. 

The first meeting with the oncologist was a shock, as much for me as it was for him! I saw the worry in his eyes because myeloma is a fairly rare and incurable disease. The average age of those diagnosed at the time was 65 and over. I was only 43.

I now faced a major challenge, the greatest of challenges: SURVIVAL. 

After several years of various treatments – including chemotherapy like VAD (vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone), stem cell transplants and other myeloma therapies (thalidomide, dexamethasone, and bisphosphonates) – along with their many severe side effects, I finally managed to achieve stable blood levels. A stay of execution. 

However, my body could no longer handle the stress. Because I was also living in constant fear of a relapse, I suffered from post-traumatic stress and required psychological therapy to help me cope. What's more, being single, I felt very lonely and had a great need to express myself. 

Through family, friends and Myeloma Canada, I found the support I needed. That's why organizations and associations are so important to me. It was in the support group meetings with Myeloma Canada that I met people I could talk to about the disease. 

That's when I heard about complementary and/or alternative therapy medicine. I joined the choir at the Hope & Cope Wellness Centre to help me express myself, took yoga and meditation classes to calm my mind, and started adapted physical exercise to give me a sense of well-being. 

In addition, I was filled with the desire to help the myeloma community. So, for more than 6 years, I took on various volunteer roles with Myeloma Canada. This was beneficial for my concentration and my morale since I was trying to learn more about the disease. It also gave me the chance to meet some wonderful people living with myeloma. In 2009, my path crossed with that of Maryse Bouchard. 

My name is Maryse Bouchard, and I just turned 67 years old. I met the intruder who turned my life upside down in 2008, just before my 50th birthday.

Its name was myeloma, and it was discovered during a routine blood test, thanks to the vigilance of my family doctor. My doctor suggested I see a hematologist because there were some anomalies in my blood results, like a monoclonal gammopathy.

The symptom I felt at the time was mainly extreme fatigue, but I didn't pay much attention to it because I had just moved into a new house.

Following the meeting with the hematologist, I underwent a series of tests such as head-to-toe x-rays, a bone marrow aspiration, extensive blood tests and a 24-hour urine test. In January 2008, just before my birthday, the diagnosis of myeloma fell on me like a ton of bricks. But I was going to FIGHT, no matter what.

I didn't know what multiple myeloma was, and the idea of having an incurable cancer terrified me. Breaking the news to my family was not easy. My two children were in their early twenties and my partner was not yet fifty. However, we were all ready to fight, no matter what lay ahead of us.

The type of myeloma I was diagnosed with required two procedures: an autologous stem cell transplant followed by an allogeneic stem cell transplant with stem cells from a related donor. I was incredibly lucky because I only have one brother, and he was 100% compatible! Even though the related-donor transplant represented a mortal danger for me, the fact that I had a compatible brother was a positive sign and I really BUCKLED DOWN! I CLUNG to the idea of one day seeing my grandchildren. I had my autologous transplant at the Jewish General Hospital (Montreal) in December 2008 and my allogeneic transplant in March 2009 at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital (Montreal). I have been in remission ever since. 

My journey has not been easy. The chemotherapy treatments and side effects caused by the allogeneic transplant have changed me. I’ve had to redefine myself. On my partner’s suggestion, I joined a support group in my region; I made quilts for my children and grandchildren. It was my way of dealing with cancer.  

In 2008, while participating in a breast cancer walk in my community, the idea of organizing a walk for multiple myeloma came to me.

We asked the then director of Myeloma Canada, Mr Aldo Del Col, if there was yet a walk in Montreal.

As there wasn't, in October 2009, with my great friend Sylvie-Chantale, my partner Marcel, and limited resources, we organized the first myeloma walk along the Lachine Canal.

The main goal of the walk was to create a large gathering place for all those who felt alone with myeloma. More than 200 people joined! It was at this walk that I met Francine Ducas.

Together, we helped organize what is now called the Multiple Myeloma March with Myeloma Canada.

In 2012, we had the idea of walking to Quebec City to raise awareness of myeloma, but our oncologists were against it. With great determination and courage, we convinced our entourage that we could organize a cycling challenge.

The Défi Cyclo-myélome began in May 2013. Thanks to the original 12 participants, we cycled 280 km in four days, from Montreal to Quebec City.

Every year since, the Défi Cyclo-myélome has been bringing cyclists and volunteers together to promote awareness of myeloma and raise funds for the Myeloma Canada Chair at the Université de Montréal, Chaired by

Dr Richard Leblanc. 

We even had the opportunity to go to the National Assembly with the objective of meeting ministers and to talk about myeloma. 

Thank you,

Francine and Maryse

Co-founders of the Défi Cyclo-myélome

Myeloma Canada charitable number: 862533296RR0001