BIKE RIDE FROM THOROLD TO PORT COLBORNE FIGHT RARE CANCER

RIDE IS TAKING PLACE ON SUNDAY, MAY 15 STARTING AT PORT ROBINSON COMMUNITY CENTRE

Cyclists gathered in Thorold this past weekend for a 70-kilometre bike ride to raise money to fight a rare and incurable form of cancer.

The Myeloma Canada Ride took place on Sunday, May 15, in which 50 cyclists rode from the Port Robinson Community Centre (Darlene Ryan Centre) in Thorold to the H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park in Port Colborne.

David Boughner is part of the planning committee with Myeloma Canada, which organized the country's first-ever ride for myeloma. Boughner was diagnosed with myeloma in June 2016 at 49 years old.

Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is the second-most common form of blood cancer, and affects the body's plasma cells, found in the bone marrow. According to Myeloma Canada, 10 Canadians are diagnosed with myeloma every day.

The problem, Boughner said, is not all doctors are even aware this type of cancer exists, meaning it can go undiagnosed for a long time, leaving patients in the lurch as the disease develops.

"Getting ahead of it, like any cancer, is important, but the entire medical community is not all aware of it," he said.

Boughner experienced this himself: in April 2016, he went to his doctor with back and rib pain issues, which the doctor attributed to a fall Boughner experienced last fall. However, when Boughner went back to the doctor in June, the pain was so difficult, he could hardly walk. He was diagnosed afterwards.

Since then, Boughner has received two stem cell transplants, and today, his condition remains stable.

"I think when you have such a disease, participating in ways to help progress research is beneficial to you as a patient," he said. "Engaging in that process makes you feel more in control of your situation."

Myeloma Canada aimed to fundraise $100,00, which will support research initiatives and scientific advancements to help people living with myeloma and to help find a cure.

Common symptoms of the disease to look out for include bone and back pain, an unexplained lack of energy, rapid and unexpected weight loss and abnormal blood test results.

"Past research studies have more than doubled the quality of life (for patients) and life expectancy has more than doubled in the past few years," Boughner said.

The ride in Niagara had two courses: a 70-kilometre route and a shorter 45-kilometre route. Cyclists went down to Port Colborne from Thorold in the morning, leaving after 9:00 a.m.

Thorold and Pelham's mayors, Terry Ugulini and Marvin Junkin, officiated the start of the ride, and Port Colborne's mayor Bill Steele welcomed cyclists at the H.H. Knoll park for lunch at 11:30 a.m.

The ride in Niagara was accompanied by two other rides that happened on the west coast, in Red Deer County, Alta., and Richmond, B.C.

"The thing that most people want is hope, and something they can sort of get behind," he said. "Hope gives you energy."