For the past 2 years a small group rode in the Ride for Melanoma in Richmond. We formed a team called Chain Breakers, as this blood plasma cancer is detected with a test of light chains in the blood (along with other blood tests and scans). In 2023 and 2024 we rode a route in Richmond with others supporting the Myeloma cause.

For those that may be unaware, my wife Glenda was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2022. The diagnosis of MM for her started after I gave her a hug and broke a rib in April of 2022. Her doctor did an x-ray that was followed up by a CT scan and multiple blood tests that came back with the “C” diagnosis. It was on our 32nd anniversary that she got the news and started he on a path that no one wants … but it was needed.

Seven months of weekly chemo treatment followed by a stem cell transplant and now daily oral chemo pills. It’s been quite the ride over the past 3 years, but for a cancer with no cure, just treatment, we are taking things in stride.

In 2023, Glenda was recovering from an infection post stem cell transplant and in hospital as we rode. In 2024 she was assisting with the registration for the ride, and in 2025 she is hoping to be able to be back on her bike to ride a portion of the ride.

Richmond’s ride is set for June 1st and creates a calendar conflict for us, so it has been decided that we will do a virtual ride this year. As there is no registration fee for a virtual ride, we will put that amount directly towards a charitable donation to Multiple Myeloma, an organization that is driven to improve the lives and empower all Canadians affected by Myeloma, accelerate access to the best care, while supporting the pursuit of its cure and prevention. 

I plan on doing a couple of virtual rides - one in the Okanagan with family that will go for about 65 kms … that’s the one that Glenda will ride part of, and one in the Lower Mainland that our supporters from the past 2 years can take part in if they choose.

If you would like to join the Virtual Chain Breakers team and ride, either in the Okanagan or in the Lower Mainland, visit the Myeloma Ride website for registration https://support.myeloma.ca/site/TRR/MCRide/General/327214433?pg=utype&fr_id=1818 and look for the Virtual Chain Breakers team.

We expect to ride in late May in the Lower Mainland and possibly May 31st in Vernon - along the Okanagan Rail Trail along Kalamalka Lake and around Wood Lake - returning to our starting point in Coldstream.

If you can’t ride with us, but would like to support us financially … please visit https://support.myeloma.ca/site/Donation2?idb=542635090&df_id=3264&FR_ID=1818&mfc_pref=T&PROXY_ID=7244&PROXY_TYPE=22&3264.donation=form1 

          By making a donation to our team you are supporting the pursuit of curing and preventing the disease, accelerating access to the best care, while empowering and improving the lives of all Canadians affected by myeloma.