Name: Nancy Dziedzic

Age: 51

Hometown: Sacramento, CA

Link: http://support.themmrf.org/goto/nancydziedzic

I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in Sept of 2014. It has been my dream since I was a teen to go to Africa and experience a Safari. I had hoped to finally do it for my 50th Birthday in 2015, but instead I was fighting for my life battling Multiple Myeloma and going through a stem cell transplant. I am now in Complete Response which is similar to remission but there is NO CURE for this cancer so it could come back at any time.

I have decided that I will get to Africa finally in 2017! But not only will I do that Safari, I have challenged myself to climb the highest freestanding mountain in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft) , and raise $10,000 to fund research for Multiple Myeloma as part of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Team For Cures. The team consists of 6 MM patients and 10 others that are connected to Myeloma in some way. We will be climbing through 5 different ecosystems, potentially harsh weather conditions, altitude sickness and unforgiving terrain. I hope to inspire other patients that life goes on after diagnosis and goals can be achieved. I also want to bring awareness to this disease.

Multiple Myeloma is the second most common form of blood cancer and, sadly has the lowest five-year survival rates of all cancers. But while there is no cure, great progress is being made. In fact thanks to the work of the MMRF, the world's leading private funder of myeloma research , the FDA has approved 10 new treatments in the last 12 years, 3 of them in November of 2015, a track record that's unparalleled in the world of oncology. These treatments have tripled the life span of Myeloma patients. There are currently 21 additional treatments in various stages of development, giving hope to me and thousands of other patients and families.

The MMRF was started by a patient just like me and is one of the most highly regarded cancer foundations in the world. An outstanding 90% of the total MMRF budget goes directly towards research and related programming. The MMRF is in the top 1% of all charities, having earned Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating for the past eleven years in a row.

Please support my participation in the Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek benefiting the MMRF. I have made a commitment to raise at least $10,000, and I need your help to get there. Please contribute whatever you can. It all adds up!

Thank you so much for your support!