Sharing the Experience!

Harold (with bib) and Jim (with white hat) at Chicago 2010

After my diagnosis in February 2009 with this incurable cancer, followed by a stem cell transplant in August of that same year, I have since remained in stable condition. But I still struggle from the lingering effects associated with multiple myeloma and the treatment.

My cousin, Harold Porcher, who ran the 2010 Chicago Marathon for the MMRF, will be once again supplying his talent in his second attempt at Boston and his 13th overall full marathon. Both our mothers were born in the Boston area on 16^th of March 1926 and 1925, exactly one year apart, so we are looking forward to a family reunion where we can cheer, and help bring Harold some moral support.

Harold has now participated in twelve marathons, including three of the Masters, in Chicago, New York and Boston. He and I teamed up in fund raising efforts for his 2010 running of the Chicago race. We raised almost $9000 for the MMRF placing us in the lead for contributions and with his 2:59:49 time, Harold was the fastest of the participants running for the MMRF. There is nothing like family, and a shared cause to inspire! This year, we want to step up our goal, and raise a total of $15,000 by race day on April 16. Harold too, is pushing the envelope and is training for a 2:55:00 finish time!!

I Am Running For A Cure!

As a Millennium employee, the MMRF cause is close to my heart, because my company is so instrumental in developing drug treatments for multiple myeloma.  But I also have a few friends whose parents either have MM, or have passed due to the cancer.

Running the Boston Marathon is a dream of mine.  Four years ago, I watched the Boston Marathon for the very first time.  I was planted about ½ mile from the Finish Line and watched the runners come up to the last turn in one of the greatest races in the world.  It was amazing to watch the strength and dedication of these individuals.  Running 26.2 miles and pushing through that last ½ mile with all of their might.  Watching a 7 year old jump on to the course to run the last leg with his father, the military men in full gear, and the thousands of tired legs chugging along to cross that finish line…it brought tears to my eyes!  I realized that day that I was going to run the Boston Marathon someday.

So about 3.5 years ago, I quit smoking and now, 4 years after seeing this marathon for the first time, I am running it…the Boston Marathon!!  That day is here!!!

Melissa-ready to run!

Going the distance...and then some!



John (center), Norma his sister-in-law (in peach shirt), John's wife-Barbara (to the right of John),and supportive family!



Runners will go great distances to run legendary races, but no race will be as inspiring as the Boston Marathon will be for John Pleasants this weekend.  John is a biology professor at Iowa State University, and will be travelling all the way from Iowa to run on Marathon Monday.  John has been running for 34 years and yet has never run the Boston Marathon.  On Monday, he will be running to support his sister-in-law, who has Multiple Myeloma.  He and his wife often travel with her to Arkansas where she receives her treatments. 

John will be running with some of his running friends, who are also running this historic race, and they will take with them the experience of a lifetime, made all the more precious by knowing he is tapping into his Power to make a difference in MM patients, like his sister-in-law.   

Running a marathon at the last minute?

Not many people can join the MMRF Powerteam to run a marathon at the last-minute, but Andy McVey is an eleventh-hour addition to the team, replacing Eileen Cronin, who gave Andy the opportunity to run, by giving up her spot after she became injured.  

Andy says, "As thrilled as I am to be running Boston (and I am beyond thrilled), I'm equally blown away that I'm going to get be on a team of myeloma survivors and supporters.  My dad succumbed to the disease in 2005, after 10 years of living with (and not dying from) it.  He went through it all-- more rounds of chemo than I can count, chemo with velcade, thalidomide, stem cell treatments, etc.  If it weren't for the advances made by MMRF, I know Dad would not have enjoyed such success with his treatment.  I'm forever grateful to everyone associated with MMRF, and I look forward to thanking you in person!"

And we look forward to meeting you too, Andy!!

A great shot of Andy running!

Running for Mom!

Training for the Boston Marathon has definitely been challenging for Geoff Dilly.  


Despite changing jobs, moving across the country from Boston, MA to Santa Barbara, CA, and spending 3 months travelling (including spending one month in Antarctica!), Geoff is running the legendary Boston Marathon to honor his Mom's fight against MM. Geoff's mom was diagnosed with MM last summer (2011) and is actively undergoing treatments.  


Geoff has previously run 1 other Marathon and 2 Half-Marathons, but this marathon will definitely be one of the most memorable!!!

Bob, Kay, and Powerteam member Geoff Dilly

Jeanie Dreyer - Running Because She Can!

BFF Suzi Larson and Jeanie Dreyer - Ready to run Boston !

Two years ago, at the age of 39, Jeanie, the mother of TWO sets of twins, made a decision to get into the best shape of her life.  On that path, she had just finished her first triathlon.  A trip to the doctor to inquire about a cyst on her chest turned out to be very bad news, and in June, 2010 her life came to a complete halt when she found out that she had multiple myeloma.

"I went from being in the best shape of my life to being a cancer patient supported 24 hours a day on morphine.  My body appeared to be weakening by the day, along with my spirit and my hope.  My children saw me go from "superwoman" to a tired, weak, depressed soul."

An autologous stem cell transplant in September saved her life, but recovery was slow.  By the next March (2011) Jeanie found herself ready to regain her strength and soon returned to her first love, running.  In October, 2011, less than 11 months after the transplant, Jeanie completed the Bay State Marathon.  It was a tough race to be sure, but great prep for her BIG goal:  to run the Boston Marathon again in 2012, after 20 years.   Running along side of her will be her closest friend, Suzi Larson, who was not only with her at Bay State, but through all of the cancer treatments as well.

"I am blessed to be running each and every of the 26.2 miles of the challenging Boston course with my MMRF PowerTeam shirt.  However long it takes to finish (I've had to adjust my goals, for sure)  will be enough of a reward for me.  I am proud to be running and raising money to support the MMRF and their goal to cure myeloma, a disease that has taken the lives of so many.", shares Jeanie.

"It has challenged me in more ways than I ever thought possible.  It has changed the priorities in my life completely.  Although the future may be unknown, today I am strong in mind, body and spirit.  Running has renewed my broken spirit.  I run today, because I can."