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Move Mmore Walk/5K for Multiple Myeloma Research

Multiple Myeloma Research Walk/5K at Wolfe Park in Columbus, Ohio

Mmore Walk - Wolfe Park, Columbus, Ohio

Mmore Walk – Wolfe Park, Columbus, Ohio (click image to see full size)

Multiple Myeloma is a cancer of the blood. This cancer occurs in the bone marrow. The marrow is found in the center bones. This is where red and white blood cells and platelets grow. Multiple myeloma occurs when a plasma cell, a type of white blood cell, doesn’t stop replicating and clogs up the areas that are used to create a wide variety of antibodies to support our immune system. These abnormal plasma cells take up more and more room inside the marrow cavity. This leads to less and less area for normal blood cells to exist. The most common symptoms are bone pain, fatigue, and loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, restlessness, difficulty in thinking or confusion, nausea and vomiting.

My mother-in-law was diagnosed with Multiple Myleloma on August 16, 2012. She is now in remission.

This 5K/1 Mile walk/run was hosted by Mmore (@beMmmore on twitter). Some of the sponsors for the event were Kroger’s, Jason’s Deli, Body-Mind Connections Massage Therapy, YOR Health, Takeda Millennium, 102.5FM, ClearChannel Outdoor, Celgene, Genentech, Ron Lykins Inc., Graeter’s, healthspot, plante moran, Plot Media, Forts Studios, Root Beer Float Productions, and Murray Video.

Krogers Move Mmore Walk Columbus, Ohio

Krogers Move Mmore Walk Columbus, Ohio (click image to see full size)

Jason's Deli Move Mmore Walk, Columbus, Ohio

Jason’s Deli Move Mmore Walk, Columbus, Ohio (click image to see full size)

YORHealth Move Mmore Walk. Columbus, Ohio

YORHealth Move Mmore Walk. Columbus, Ohio (click image to see full size)

Jean Ann Smith, the Survivor

Jean Ann Smith, a Multiple Myeloma Survivor

Jean Ann Smith (left), a Multiple Myeloma Survivor (click image to see full size)

If someone walked up to me a year ago and asked me about Multiple Myeloma, I would have nothing to offer them. Today, I could offer an insight into the disease also known as Kahler’s disease, after Otto Kahler. My Mother-in-Law, Jean Ann Smith, was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in August of 2012, and was walking for the disease on June 1st of 2013 in full remission.

Jean Ann was seen by Dr. Don Benson at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center – James Cancer Institute (@TheJamesOSU on twitter). Lucky for us, we live within an hour of one of the best treatment centers for Multiple Myleoma.

Move Mmore 5k & 1 Mile Run/Walk to benefit Multiple Myeloma Opportunities for Research & Education

Move Mmore 5k & 1 Mile Run/Walk to benefit Multiple Myeloma Opportunities for Research & Education (click image to see full size)

Jean Ann began chemotherapy treatment soon after being diagnosed with Multiple Myelona. Once she was in remission after months of chemo, she was admitted to the James Cancer Center on February 7, 2013 to receive a stem-cell transplant. The stem-cell transplant is also called a hematopoietic cell transplant. The stem cells are removed from the patient before the high-dose chemotherapy and stored until they can be reinfused into the body in the transplant.

The high-dose chemotherapy Jean Ann had, is designed to kill as many myeloma cells in the body as possible. It destroys the patient’s own bone marrow and immune system. Bone marrow that is damaged by high-dose chemotherapy can no longer produce new stem cells on its own. Stem cells are primitive cells that develop into important blood cells—including white blood cells to fight disease, red blood cells to carry oxygen and platelets to help blood clot. Jean Ann’s stem-cell transplant was successful and she was released from the James on February 24th, 2013.

How you can help

There are many ways individuals and business entities can help. You can help by spreading the word about the disease to educate others about it. Other’s may choose to help by being a volunteer at events like the Move Mmore 5k & 1 Mile Run/Walk to benefit Multiple Myeloma Opportunities for Research & Education. If individuals and business entities have the means, some choose to donate funds. These are just a few ways to help battle this rare disease and hopefully find a cure one day. Below are some links to help you be an active player in the cure for Multiple Myeloma.

Spread the Word

Volunteer

Donate

Move Mmore Walk

Move Mmore Walk (click image to see full size)

Team One More Time

Team One More Time (click image to see full size)

Move Mmore Walk, Wolfe Park, Columbus, Ohio

Move Mmore Walk, Wolfe Park, Columbus, Ohio (click image to see full size)

Wolfe Park, Columbus, Ohio

Wolfe Park, Columbus, Ohio (click image to see full size)

Move Mmore Walk Columbus, Ohio

Move Mmore Walk Columbus, Ohio (click image to see full size)

Lifestyle Photography by Alex Sablan (AlexSablan.com)

Lifestyle Photography by Alex Sablan (AlexSablan.com) at the Move Mmore Walk (click image to see full size)

Event Photographers Columbus, Ohio

Event Photographers Columbus, Ohio – by Dayton Photographer Alex Sablan (click image to see full size)

Charlie Smith from Tipp City, Ohio at the Move Mmore Walk

Charlie Smith from Tipp City, Ohio at the Move Mmore Walk (click image to see full size)

Crossing the Finish Line

Crossing the Finish Line (click image to see full size)

Jean Ann Smith of One More Time Swing Band

Jean Ann Smith of One More Time Swing Band (click image to see full size)

Walkers at the Move Mmore Walk in Columbus, Ohio

Walkers at the Move Mmore Walk in Columbus, Ohio (click image to see full size)

Steve Fink, one of the co-founders of MMORE Multiple Myeloma Opportunities for Research & Education

Steve Fink, one of the co-founders of MMORE Multiple Myeloma Opportunities for Research & Education (click image to see full size)

This Post Has 7 Comments

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