Mt. Fuji Here We Come!

Once again I have been delinquent in keeping up to date with posts. So many positive things have happened with regard to Deana's treatment. I must do a better job sharing these with the larger MM community.

The most interesting development is that Deana and I will be joining a team of MM warriors, caregivers, doctors and other supporters as part of Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma, a collaborative initiative of The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Takeda Oncology and Cure magazine. We are very excited about taking this journey and have gathered the names of many cancer warriors to add to our team's banner. This adventure serves as a fitting metaphor for life after a cancer diagnosis -- although the trip up the mountain has clear parameters and will only last two days!

Most members of the team were able to participate in a training hike the first weekend in June. It was fun to meet the group and learn more about each person's reason for participating. Deana and I were pleased to not be last up the mountain! (The photo at left is Deana on the training hike, which took place at Mt. Monadnock, NH.)

We've been working hard to surpass every goal that has been set for us -- including the fundraising minimums. We are so thankful for all who have contributed to the life-saving work being done by the MMRF. The trip is generously underwritten by Takeda so all the funds donated are going directly to funding the kind of research that is keeping Deana with us.

If you are able to help us -- we'd be grateful. Our Team BTHOMM is up and running. It is very easy (and safe) to contribute online. We also welcome sharing of our information in the event you are comfortable sharing our site within your networks. It has been through our openness about life with MM that so many wonderful people have come into our world. We are always looking to expand that circle.

With regard to Deana's treatment, she continues to be one of the rock stars of the Ventoclax trial and we continue to hear wonderful stories from the doctors as to how they have been able to save lives based on what they have learned from treating Deana and her success. If you ever doubted the need for research funding, my sister is living proof of its importance.

Mt. Fuji -- Here we come!