Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, is a hematologic cancer, or cancer of the blood. It is the second most common blood cancer, after non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and represents approximately 1% of all cancers in white individuals and 2% of all cancers in black individuals.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 21,700 new cases of multiple myeloma will be diagnosed in 2012. The number of cases of myeloma reported at a particular time (the prevalence) varies according to gender, age, and race/ethnicity. Multiple myeloma is more common among men than women and occurs more frequently with increasing age.
As with any cancer diagnosis, hearing that you have myeloma can be overwhelming. But new treatments continue to be evaluated in research studies, and substantial improvements in treatment have been made over the past few years. Multiple myeloma cannot be cured, but it can be treated, allowing many individuals to live longer, healthier lives with the disease.
This is a group that I will be riding my bicycle down to Orlando from my house here in Carmel, Indiana. The person I am riding for is Pat Williams--SR VP of the Orlando Magic. Pat was diagnosed in 2011 with this cancer, but because of his determination, willpower and sheer strength, Pat was able to get it into remission. This is an incurable cancer--but that has not stopped Pat--he is on a mission before and after he was diagnosed. He is the author of over 70 books, father to 19 children, motivational speaker and educator. Pat is passionate about life, friends, hard work and theme of LEADERSHIP and TEAMWORK. Both of which he displays every day since taking on this cancer--
It is my HONOR to be riding down in his name--he has taught me the value of reading, writing, vision,people skills, communication, teamwork and leadership-but most of all he has taught me the value of SERVANT HOOD.
8 days or so depending on the weather--is but a small blip on my radar of life--this will not be an easy task. I have been training for 3 months and have logged 1141 miles since taking this challenge on June 19th. My neighbor Scott Golden, will be going with me as well as a team member--for nothing in life is done on our own, and it takes people, doctors, nurses, staff, family to achieve dreams. That is what this mission is about--it is about helping others--who have helped so many.
Please click on the above tab and donate anything you can--for many people need our help to find a cure.
Thanks Jim Serger Jr.
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