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

This year's 2018 MM4MM 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

I was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma several years ago. I have been a runner for a number of years, doing 10K and half marathon events. After my diagnosis, I ran in an event where there was a fundraising team for MMRF. I was interested in what they were doing and spoke with one of the members who told me about the endurance events through MMRF. I signed up for one of the half marathons for fundraising and have been following what they do for a while. Last year, I saw the hiking fundraisers, and I knew that was something I wanted to be involved in. I joined the Mt. Fuji team, and it was such an incredible experience for so many reasons. Getting to know the other patients, caregivers and family members, as well as the medical professionals was amazing. Working together to raise funds and to make it through the difficult hike really formed a team and friendship. It was really special - so special I wanted to do it again. Only I guess this time it's in reverse! Down instead of up, up instead of down. And what an amazing place to go!

Having smoldering myeloma, I am luckier than most patients. I currently have no symptoms impacting my day-to-day life, but I also know that this can change rapidly. I no longer take "someday" for granted. Helping to find treatments and hopefully a cure are so important to my future. Anything I can do to help, I will.

I live in Colorado, and mountain hiking is very accessible. However, I am so thrilled to be going to one of the most incredible places in our country. I've never hiked down the Grand Canyon, and the steepness will certainly challenge me. But the reward will be worth the journey - both the beauty of the place and the research into finding a cure. It is great to have this as a motivation.

I am utterly thrilled to be a part of this team!

Patti Bivona

I work for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), as the Director of Partnerships and Business Development. I have been with the MMRF for over 10 years, having come to start and oversee the MMRF Endurance Program for several years prior to my current position.

I’ve run 10 marathons, several of them side by side with myeloma patients, caregivers and myeloma medical professionals. I was not a hiker until we started the Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma program, beginning in 2016, with an eight-day hike up and down Mount Kilimanjaro. Since that time, we have been on six other epic treks (seven, including this one), and have raised over $1.5 million – 90% of which goes directly to research to find a cure for this difficult disease.

I have had the honor of taking part in five Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma treks (most recently to Everest Base Camp in March, 2018!) and am so inspired to walk alongside patients, caregivers, family members, doctors and nurses — a microcosm of the myeloma community — as we take on these awesome climbs.

I'm so proud to be a part of this program, which is demonstrating that patients are not only living longer, but are able to take on incredible experiences that they never dreamed possible when they were newly diagnosed. I'm so honored to be a part of the action, alongside myeloma loved ones, that is making a huge difference in terms of awareness and funds raised and the life expectancy and quality of life for myeloma patients.

Let the adventure continue! Next up: Havasu Falls/Grand Canyon!

Yes, we are indeed moving mountains, but those of you who have experienced a Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma climb know how much the mountains move us, especially when we climb them together with others that are so passionate about and who take an active role in finding a cure!

Alicia O'neill

Hello, my name is Sarah Daw and my sister Jessie was diagnosed with multiple myeloma a little more than a year ago. Jessie asked if I wanted to get involved with MMRF and the Havasu Falls Trek to raise awareness, and I said YES!

I am honored MMRF accepted me on their trek and am looking forward to learning more from others about the disease and how I can better support my sister and other patients.

Living in Minnesota and preparing for this trek has been challenging due to multiple snow storms or adverse weather on the weekends, so I did move some longer walks within the Mall of America. (yes, seriously). Otherwise, I have been found at a local Fitness Center on the treadmill, spinning, TRX or yoga classes.

My biggest source of inspiration is completely supportive. I will love the scenery and opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon and Havasu Falls, but being there supporting Jessie is priceless.

Sarah Daw

As a multiple myeloma clinical research nurse, I see how important this foundation is to the field of myeloma. The MMRF has been served to benefit patients with a magnitude of resources in a disease considered ‘rare,’ where people may otherwise feel isolated without a network. This hike is just one example of the different aspects of wellness and positivity that the foundation promotes. To me, the hike is a reminder of the power that comes with bringing people to work together on a common goal.

I have been working as an oncology nurse for seven years, and particularly with multiple myeloma patients for over four years. Last year, I found out about Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma at a hematology conference and I was already convinced that I would join the force! I am very excited to work at raising money to keep benefitting the MMRF and community of people affected by this disease.

Donna Mastey, BSN, RN

I am participating on this hike as someone with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). I was diagnosed in late 2016 after several unexplainable bouts of illness over the previous couple years. While I certainly would rather not have SMM, I do think that my life is richer since my diagnosis. I was prompted to engage in some significant re-evaluations of my life, and while certainly a work-in-progress, I see life differently now, and in a way that allows me to be maybe more true to my soul (I hope, anyway).

I found out about the Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma program online, coming across their events often as I sought out more information about SMM. I wanted to get involved because, as my myeloma specialist has told me, I need time on my side and for research to advance. Also, I need to be as fit as I can be, as fitness during any treatments, should I progress to active myeloma, will only help me. Training for this hike seemed to be a meaningful “kick start” to a more involved fitness plan. To that end, I’ve met with a conditioning specialist to train for the hike, and have been lifting, do core and mobility exercises, as well as cardio training.

Despite my training, which has taken place pretty much at sea level or slightly above, I think I’ll be challenged by the elevation on this hike. The canyon top is about 5200 feet elevation, and we’ll go down about 2800 feet. And we all know, what goes down must come up! I’m hoping my training will have served me well.

This MM4MM trip has significant meaning to me as it will give me a chance to connect and network with others who have a connection to this disease. I don’t really know anyone else with SMM, beyond people I’ve met online. So, to be in a challenging environment and be a part of a team brought together by challenging conditions, will be really rewarding, I think. I hope to meet people that I’ll be in contact with long beyond our uphill canyon climb ends.

I’ve followed a few other MM4MM trips online, and so many of the people participating are inspirational. Probably the trip I followed the most is the Mount Everest base camp trip. Also, Sally Kalksma, who started running staircases competitively after she was diagnosed…wow, pretty impressive! And last but not least, my sister Sarah, who is training with me for this hike, has been an inspiration. We’ve shared our personal training challenges and I’m amazed at her perseverance and commitment to the training! I think this will be an unforgettable trip for us!

Jessie Daw

Saturday mornings when I was growing up always started off the same. I would stagger downstairs still half asleep in my PJs, and my mom and dad would be sitting in the family room reading the newspapers. The place would smell like coffee and on really good days, donuts.

I would come in rubbing my eyes and scouting out which breakfast item I could grab before my sister woke up. My mom would turn to me and say, “Are you ready to go on a big adventure?” To which I would reply, “What’s the plan mom?” That’s how we started our weekends.

Now you must understand that our “big adventures” were not always that big. Maybe a trip to a new store, trying some new food or a visit with a friend, but we always called them “big adventures” and, automatically, they became more fun. It was like a secret code word for an activity with mom.

My mom passed away from multiple myeloma in 2010. In memory of my mom and for the many people still fighting, the MMRF has taken me on a number of adventures. Together with my family and friends, we have raised more than $100,000 through many marathons and team races. Each adventure has been an amazing experience. I know the Grand Canyon will be no different.

I hope you take a moment to plan your own adventure. Mom wouldn’t want it any other way.

Megan Newhouse

I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in June 2012. It rocked my world, but at the same time the diagnosis taught me so much in giving back; random acts of kindness has shown me the inner strength that I didn’t know I had.

I began treatment and ramped up my workouts at the same time, and my doctors say that is why with every change in chemotherapy I never had side effects. Running was my saving grace because that’s when I did my best crying and praying! Six months after my stem cell transplant, I ran in the MMRF 5K with friends and family, then I decided to run my first half marathon. I ran a Ragnar race (that was an absolute blast) and am constantly looking for the next challenge. I was so excited to get selected for the Moving Mountains for Myeloma Havasu Trek as hiking in the Grand Canyon has always been a dream of mine and now I get to do it and raise money for such a fantastic cause! It’s going to be a quite a challenge, but I’m up for it and will push though the tough parts as I have so many times before.

Jamie Tinschert

 twice at sunrise, climbing to the bottom of the Grand Canyon two times and trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Now, I will embark on my sixth adventure with the Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma team. I am honored to have taken on these challenges alongside many patients with multiple myeloma. My life will be forever changed by the strength and determination of those patients. We do this to raise money through the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation to help accelerate research in an effort to help find a CURE for this intolerable disease.

My entire life I have been surrounded by cancer from my family members to working in cancer publishing, and now as the Director Cancer Patient Education at CURE Magazine.

Marty Murphy

I joined the MMRF endurance events team as an events manager in January 2018 however; my involvement with the MMRF began a few years prior.

My mom is a multiple myeloma patient and my dad and I signed up to run the 2016 NYC Marathon in her name for the MMRF a year after she began treatment. The MMRF pushed us out of my comfort zone, forced us to share what our family was going through with friends, family, and co-workers, something that had been kept private previously. Being on a team and working with an organization that inspires true hope gave my family and I a new outlook on my mom’s treatment.

The following January we heard the good news that my mom was in remission, we found this out just a few days before I was accepted on the 2017 MM4MM Mt. Fuji hike. I truly believe the awareness we stirred up for my mom’s condition, and the prayers that followed helped her to respond positively to treatment and continue to do so, along with thanks to the clinical trial she is in at Dana Farber proudly funded by the MMRF.

In a family where there is a daunting diagnosis, an elephant in the room so to speak, I know first-hand how important the MMRF is, the work they do, the hope they inspire, not just for patients but for the caregivers as well.

I have found my life’s calling and am proud and honored to be working for the MMRF, an organization that has already given me so much. To say I am excited to lead my first Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma hike is an understatement. I could not be more honored to hike alongside the team we have put together; I know they will walk away from this experience changed for the better, as I have been.

Lauren Charamut

Severe back pain. Doctor visits. Uncertainty. Multiple Myeloma? Cancer?!?!?

So began the process, in early 2016, of finding the right doctor, then radiation, drug therapy, and a bone marrow transplant. It was a swift life change, leading to uncertainty and confusion.

Now, after receiving great care and continuing to receive great medicine, with development facilitated through The MMRF, it is time to give back. I am hiking to raise money for research and to inspire those newly diagnosed. You can and will get better! You can and will thrive again!

Brian Keller

It’s been just over 5 years since my wife, Jamie, was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Jamie’s the true definition of a fighter. To know her, you can’t help but be inspired by her courage and determination. Like the pending hike itself, the fight and struggles she and others face with Multiple Myeloma have their ups and downs. As is the case with many cancer patients, no doubt there are moments where she/they feel alone in their fights. I am so grateful that we have been given this opportunity to tackle this adventure TOGETHER.

Knowing all the positive strides that the MMRF has made and continues to make in the fight against MM is also a real inspiration. The cause is REAL, the research is REAL, the positive results are also REAL. The MMRF is not only helping move the needle towards a cure, it’s moving mountains! We are so excited to be part of this event!

Ron Tinschert

I was diagnosed with IGA Lambda light chain Smoldering Myeloma in early 2017. It was after about 8 years of searching for answers to why my body was struggling to keep up and constantly sick. I was also diagnosed with Common Variable Immune deficiency at the same time. It was a relief to finally get answers and start to fight the new dragon instead of a shadow. On the flip side it was also a struggle to accept the mortality that was thrown at me. I joined online forums on Facebook that connected me to other patients. It was comforting to hear about new advancements in medicine and my hope was restored when I was able to see how quickly research is catching up with this deadly cancer. I noticed a post about a hike to Mt Everest. I have always loved hiking as a hobby, having spent some of my childhood in Oregon. I followed Gary Rudman's posts on his Base Camp trek and it hit me that I don't just have to watch someone else climb mountains. I can too! My biggest challenge was to fund raise. I have always been independent, so asking for help hurt to my core. To acknowledge that I can't save myself alone was a very humbling thing. I need researchers to find a cure, I need assistance on my bad days. I had to let go of my pride and ask for help.

I started training as soon as I was accepted. I do have catch up to play, but I feel my muscles awakening from the short slumber they were in this last year. My lifetime of being active is paying off. Each day for decades I exercised, not thinking I was doing enough. But it is finally paying off. I was enough and I am still enough. I'm grateful that even at my lowest points I tried to preserve my health. I know I need doctors and medicine to save my life, but I am going to prepare myself for that challenge when it comes. This hike started my body moving, that was the first mountain. Now I'm going to climb. I am proving to myself that life does not end with a diagnosis. It's the birth of a more pure existence. The small things fall away and you take the chance and climb the mountain.

Havasu Falls/Grand Canyon Trek2018

TEAM MEMBERS