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Myeloma Canada hopes to find cure with Niagara bike ride

Sunday's inaugural Myeloma Canada Ride will take off from the Port Robinson Community Centre; 'We’re grateful for how welcoming the community in Thorold has been'

On Sunday, 75 cyclists will take off from the Port Robinson Community Centre in an effort to beat multiple myeloma. It’s the first year Myeloma Canada is organizing a bike ride to raise funds to find a cure for the rare blood cancer.

“The Welland Canal seemed like a beautiful location to host a first event,” says the ride’s project manager, Victoria Pickering, in an interview with ThoroldToday. “Thorold was the perfect midpoint to take the ride down to Port Colborne and then back up through Welland. It was just an ideal setting. It’s beautiful, it’s safe, and they are used to cyclists.”

Myeloma Canada is a non-profit that was founded back in 2005 to make more people aware about the blood cancer of the plasma cells.

“Few people know about it and a lot of people get this type of cancer,” says Pickering. “The more that people know about this disease, the faster they can be diagnosed and treated. In the last ten years research has come up with wonderful treatments that are helping patients live longer and better lives but it’s not a cure.”

Ever year Myeloma Canada holds a march, but this is the first time that they’re organizing a bike ride, which will take place in BC, Alberta, and Niagara.

“A lot of the people that live with Myeloma are over 50 and their family members wanted something more challenging to do,” Pickering says. “They wanted something that pushed their limits, so we launched this cycling event and we’re all astounded how well it’s picked up.”

The response to the bike ride in Niagara has been phenomenal, according to Pickering.

“We have spoken to cycling clubs in the area and they’ve sent riders out,” she says. “We have firefighters from the local community fire halls who are actually volunteering. We’re grateful for how welcoming the community in Thorold has been. It’s a lot of work putting on these rides. It’s nice to be able to work with people who are so generous and helpful.”

Several politicians will be present on Sunday to see the cyclists off, including Mayor Terry Ugulini, for whom this is a very special cause.

“When I’d seen the letter come in I couldn’t believe it because that’s what my brother Michael had,” the mayor said at a council meeting April 19. “This is near and dear to my heart, to see that they’re going to be starting a ride out of Thorold.”

The Niagara Myeloma Canada Ride will take off from the Port Robinson Community Centre at 9:30am on Sunday, May 15. Head over to the website to register or donate.


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Bernard Lansbergen

About the Author: Bernard Lansbergen

Bernard was born and raised in Belgium but moved to Canada in 2012 and has lived in Niagara since 2020. Bernard loves telling people’s stories and wants to get to know those that make Thorold into the great place it is
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