‘Bike to Beat Myeloma’ returns to Red Deer County this Saturday

As of Monday, 22 participants are already registered with 76 donors having raised $8,545 out of a $30,000 goal.

One cyclist for the County will be Calgarian Bev Dunn, who says she was blindsided when she received her life-changing diagnosis.

Bev Dunn (Supplied)

In 2018, the paralegal for over 40 years says she began experiencing unusual symptoms like extreme fatigue and excessive thirst that lasted for months. While doctors treated her for anemia, she says she still didn’t feel right. On a cruise in April of that same year, Dunn says she spent most of the trip in bed from exhaustion.

Upon her return, Dunn’s condition worsened, causing her to nearly fall in the shower. After numerous tests at the hospital’s emergency department, she received the multiple myeloma diagnosis, an incurable blood cancer that 11 Canadians are diagnosed with every day.

“It was mind-blowing. I never expected to hear the words ‘you have cancer’. I remember my heart and mind racing. It was scary – especially because none of us had ever heard of myeloma,” she said. “I’m very in tune with my body. Looking back, I’m thankful that I trusted my gut and pushed hard for an answer. I am extremely lucky that the disease was detected early.”

Shortly after, Dunn underwent extensive chemotherapy in preparation for her stem cell transplant in November 2018, later discovering the procedure was a success and that she was in remission. Since then, Dunn has been receiving maintenance therapy to help keep the cancer at bay.

Today, at age 65, Dunn says she’s ecstatic to be feeling back to her regular energetic self and continue her favorite activities like spending time outdoors cycling and walking her beloved Maltese, baking, reading, and crocheting.

“I choose to focus on the positive. I know several myeloma patients that have lived with the disease for over 20 years. That gives me a lot of hope for the future,” she said. “I know that I will eventually relapse, but I am confident that there will be treatment options available to me when that time comes.”

Grateful for the medical advancements that have given her a second lease on life, Dunn says this is her inspiration to gear up for the County’s Bike to Beat Myeloma event.

“For countless Canadians, the diagnosis of myeloma is often long and difficult, often taking months, even years,” said Martine Elias, Executive Director of Myeloma Canada. “Events like the Red Deer County Myeloma Canada Ride are key for raising both, awareness for the disease and critical funds that enable us to keep investing in life-saving research so that a cure may be found. We need to do all that we can to stop this complicated disease from cutting short the lives of those we love.”

A virtual option is available for those who are unable to participate in-person or who wish to create their own cycling challenge. The collective national fundraising goal is $300,000, with the current funds accumulated at over $102,000.

Myeloma Canada is the only national charitable organization created by, and for, Canadians impacted by multiple myeloma.

To donate or register for the County’s ride, visit the Myeloma Canada Ride website.

READ: Inaugural Myeloma Canada Ride in Red Deer County, exceeds fundraising goal

by rdnewsNOW Staff

‘Bike to Beat Myeloma’ returns to Red Deer County this Saturday

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