Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma (MM4MM) is a collaboration between CURE Media Group and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation to raise awareness

Patients, caregivers, myeloma doctors and nurses and myeloma loved ones took on challenging mountains - 

 and other epic peaks - to demonstrate that the advancements being made in recent years, helping patients live longer with a higher quality of life than ever before.

This epic 4-day trekking adventure takes you through a truly spectacular part of Sweden, hiking the Scandinavian mountain range, or the “Scandes." We will stay in picturesque mountain huts, boat in and out of our destinations and summit the breath-taking Skierfe cliff, certainly this will be an endeavor of such magnitude that your memories will stay with you forever. Here the peaks are higher and the valleys steeper, with summits more than 6,500 feet and over one hundred glaciers.

This area is home to the native Sami people, an indigenous group of northern Scandinavia. We will encounter off-grid Sami settlements, and most likely meet herds of reindeer, which belong to the Sami people. These formerly nomadic people view the reindeer as a sacred animal, vital for their survival and way of life. Many Sami people, to this day, fight to keep their old traditions and ways of life and cultural guiding will be part of our tour.

The trail we follow is part of the famous King's Trail, a 275 mile trail that stretches through the northern part of the Swedish mountain range, from Abisko in the north to Hemavan in the south. Our hike takes us along a small but very beautiful section of the trail along the border of one of Sweden's most famous national parks - Sarek National Park- often called “Europe's last wilderness." In Sarek there are no marked trails, no signs, and only a few bridges. It is the real deal.

Experience the true meaning of remote wilderness as you pack your belongings into our cozy back country cabins. This being far from any established 'civilization' we will each play a role in our daily routine, involving light meal preparation, fetching water or cutting wood for our wood stoves. Your time with your team in these remote shelters will leave you feeling complete and accomplished!

Sweden Trek

Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeastern United States and the most prominent peak east of the Mississippi at 6,288 feet above sea level. Known for its extreme weather and popularity in the hiking world, this was a very exclusive opportunity to climb as a team.

The team took to the Tuckerman’s Ravine trail, which offered expansive and breathtaking views while trekking upwards on an exhilarating hike. The team gained over 4,000 feet in elevation to reach the summit, then spent the night in the picturesque Lakes of the Clouds hut. The next morning they found themselves on the winding ascent down, where they celebrated their epic hike!

Mt. Washington

Greenland Arctic Circle

This team took on the continental divide as they conquered 7 peaks over 13,000 feet in 6 days. Their time on the famed Continental Divide did not disappoint as they embarked on 6 days exploring the deep valleys and soaring peaks of the Colorado backcountry from Argentine to Loveland Pass. The team summited 7 peaks, all above 13,000 feet, on this 26-mile mountain marathon trek. Two of those peaks are the highest points of the Continental Divide; the sister summits of Grays Peak (14,278) and Torrey's Peak (14,275).

Colorado

This challenging and awe-inspiring six-day trek took hikers on a journey through the rugged and spectacular landscape of Alaska. This Alaskan trek on the Kenai Peninsula began in Homer, Alaska, known as “The End of the Road”. We hiked into wilderness that felt like the ends of the Earth, through temperate rain forests, alongside glaciers that plunge down mountains and we got a glimpse at local wildlife while taking on challenging terrain.

Alaska Trek

On November 8-19, 13 hikers, all with a connection to Multiple Myeloma embarked on the trek of a lifetime. This team traversed Patagonia crossing over glaciers, through deep valleys, and ascending challenging peaks.

This rewarding and awe-inspiring five-day trek took even novice climbers on a journey through the incredible landscape of Patagonia. The team trekked through Chalten, and acclimatized while they experienced the mighty range of peaks dominated by Monte Fitz Roy, an 11,020-foot tower with a sheer face of more than 6,000 feet. Next trekkers reached Lago San Martin, where they ranged widely over the terrain in daily treks exploring a 10-mile long peninsula, climbing to a condor rookery, and reaching remote Andean lakes.

Patagonia

On June 28-30, a team of 22 took on Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeastern United States and the most prominent peak east of the Mississippi at 6,288 feet above sea level. Known for its extreme weather and popularity in the hiking world, this was a very exclusive opportunity to climb as a team. The team covered over 4,000 feet of elevation gain on this full day hike. After stopping to enjoy the view and revel in their accomplishment, the team continued their trek to the Lake of the Clouds hut nestled in the side of the mountain where they enjoyed a celebration dinner and spent the night. Day 3 was a quick hike down the mountain retracing their steps from their ascent.

On August 7-11, our team ventured to Iceland. This group took on Iceland's otherworldly, challenging landscape. These two-and-a-half days of challenging and spectacular hiking included an assortment of geological marvels, including volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, hot springs, gorges, lava beds, waterfalls and, of course, mountains. Geothermal activity in the form of steam and green and yellow sulfur coming from the rocks we passed, coupled with the topography, made this mountainous hike otherworldly. After 7-8 hours of rigorous hiking, the team slept in mountain huts situated in an incredible setting. This hike is sometimes called "Fire and Ice" because on any given day you hike up lava fields and volcanoes, and then alongside stunning glaciers.

Iceland Trek

On October 26, 16 hikers, including three patients, embarked on the trip of a lifetime: A trek to Everest Base Camp. The team hiked the Himalayan highlands (home of 16 of 20 of the world's tallest mountains), winding their way through small Nepalese villages on their way to "EBC" (18,300' ft elevation).

This challenging and awe-inspiring 9-day trek took our climbers on a strenuous, but friendly, journey through Nepal's magical Khumbu region, allowing for close-up views of dozens of Himalayan Giants without the dangers of a technical summit. Hikers crossed several dramatic suspension bridges and at night slept in primitive Nepalese teahouses. The team eased into the Sherpa culture, assisted by friendly herds of yaks that carried much of the team's gear.

Everest Base Camp/Kalapathhar Trek

On March 3-16, 18 hikers, including seven patients and two multiple myeloma doctors embarked on the trip of a lifetime. This special team trekked the Himalayan highlands to the doorstep of the world's tallest mountain, Mount Everest. A short three-hour hike beyond Base Camp provided the team members with an ascent of Kalapathhar, where they were rewarded with one of the region's most accessible views of Mount Everest.

This challenging and awe-inspiring nine-day trek (12 days including travel) took even novice climbers on a strenuous, but friendly, journey through Nepal's magical Khumbu region, allowing for close-up views of dozens of Himalayan Giants without the dangers of a technical summit. Hikers slept primarily in Nepalese teahouses, easing into the Sherpa culture, assisted by friendly herds of yaks that carried much of the team's gear. The summit of Kalapathhar, the highest point on the climb, reaches an altitude of 18,519 feet above sea level.

Mount Everest Base Camp Climb

The domestic hike explored a spectacular section of the Grand Canyon, the majestic Havasupai region. This 5-day trip, which took our team of 20 on one of the most beautiful hikes in the world, included 3 days of challenging hiking and stunning views inside the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

Our team's six to eight hours of hiking each day was rewarded with some of the most spectacular waterfalls on the planet with drops ranging from 75-200 feet: Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls. The team was in awe of the vivid blue-green pools, which are the result of high calcium carbonate concentration in the water. (In fact, Havasupai means people of the blue-green waters in the local Native American language)

This was a challenging trek which required fitness and endurance: The first hiking day saw the team hike down into the Grand Canyon over 2,000 feet, taking approximately 7 hours. Day 2 was another long one, though less strenuous, and included navigating via rope chains and ladders to reach the pools below. On the final day of hiking, Day 3, we climbed UP the 2000+ feet we came down the first day. We earned our bragging rights on this demanding trail!

Havasu Falls/Grand Canyon Trek

On August 8-12, our team ventured to Iceland, and thus our fifth continent: Europe. The team of 15 was made up of five patients, a myeloma doctor, and seven caregivers. This group took on Iceland‘s otherworldly, challenging landscape These two-and-a-half days of challenging and spectacular hiking included an assortment of geologic marvels, including volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, hot springs, gorges, lava beds, waterfalls and, of course, mountains. Geothermal activity in the form of steam and green and yellow sulfur coming from the rocks we passed, coupled with the topography, made this mountainous hike otherworldly. It included 7-8 hours of rigorous hiking, daily, with our end-of-day destination being mountain huts situated in incredible settings. This hike is sometimes called “Fire and Ice” because on any given day you hike up lava fields and volcanoes, and then alongside stunning glaciers.

Fire and Ice Iceland Trek

At 12,388 feet, Mount Fuji is the highest and most celebrated mountain in all of Japan. On a clear day, Mount Fuji, a dormant volcano, is visible from the city of Tokyo, 60 miles away, and the headquarters for Takeda Pharmaceuticals. In July 2017, six patients living with multiple myeloma, along with caregivers, a doctor and advocates took on the challenge of summiting this epic mountain. The hikers expected hot, humid weather at the base of the mountain, and temperatures in the teens (Fahrenheit) at the summit. The final hours of the summit took place at night, allowing the team to reach the peak in time to experience a Japanese sunrise.

Mount Fuji

On February 17, people from all over the nation who are bound together by the common bond of wanting to save lives and support critical cancer research embarked on an 11-day journey to Uhuru Peak in Tanzania, the highest peak in Africa and the world‘s tallest freestanding mountain.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania


Hiking the Bright Angel Trail in the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon is one of the most challenging and iconic hikes in the US. While over 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon every year, less than 1% step foot on a trail, and a small fraction of those take on this difficult hike. With over 3,100 feet of vertical hiking down, and then back up for a total of 6,200 feet completed in one day, this trek also added the obstacle of temperature change. While it might be a comfortable 75 degrees up top, hikers encountered heat reaching 110 and above in the depths of the canyon.


Grand Canyon

Hiking the Bright Angel Trail in the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon is one of the most challenging and iconic hikes in the US. While over 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon every year, less than 1% step foot on a trail, and a small fraction of those take on this difficult hike. With over 4300 of vertical hiking down, and then up, completed in one day, this trek also added the obstacle of temperature change. While it might be a comfortable 75 degrees up top, hikers encountered heat reaching 110 and above in the depths of the canyon.

From August 9-14, a team of 20, including four multiple myeloma patients, a myeloma doctor and four myeloma nurses took on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in Peru.

The route began at the Chachabamba Entrance on the Urubamba river and led the team along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu after a full, seven- to nine-hour day of hiking.

As popular as visiting Peru's Machu Picchu is, hiking the Inca Trail to enter through the Sun Gate (Intipunku) is rare. Only 1% of all visitors get to enter the Citadel on this historical pathway.

Machu Picchu

A 15-person team of multiple myeloma patients, doctors, family members, and supporters climbed the renowned 19,341-foot Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, to raise awareness and funds for critical multiple myeloma research.

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