In February 2012, my life changed forever.  I was diagnosed with two blood cancers – a very aggressive Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Stage 3 Multiple Myeloma.  With God’s grace, my Lymphoma is now in remission and my Myeloma is under control – – for now.  Myeloma is a pesky disease.  It is a cancer of the plasma cells in the blood and bone marrow, and constitutes 1% of all cancers.  There is currently no cure for it.  Approximately 7,000 Canadians suffer from it, and 2,300 new cases are diagnosed every year, with about 1,350 dying from this disease each year.

One of the treatments for Myeloma is a stem cell transplant.  I was fortunate to qualify for a transplant and successfully went through the process in February 2013.  The transplant keeps the cancer away for an average of two years.  Some patients get a second transplant when the cancer returns.  After that, the treatment options are limited.  The truth is that everyone with Myeloma is living on borrowed time.

On Sunday, June 23rd, I will be walking in the Journey to Conquer Cancer.  The purpose of the walk is to bring awareness about Multiple Myeloma and other cancers, and to raise funds for the Molly and David Bloom Chair in Multiple Myeloma Research at The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.  The Princess Margaret is one of the Top 5 Cancer Research Centres worldwide. The goal of this year’s walk is to raise $350,000 for Myeloma Research, and a total of $1 million for The Princess Margaret.  My personal goal is to raise $5,000 and our team goal is $25,000.

I ask for your support in raising funds for Multiple Myeloma.  To sponsor me, please click on this link:

Support Munira – Journey to Conquer Cancer.

Your love, encouragement and support have been instrumental in helping me through this difficult journey.  And while I’ve experienced many losses along the way, I have learnt not only to accept – – but to embrace – – my cancers.  Today, as I reflect upon the past 16 months, it is interesting that I don’t remember the pain as much as I remember the love, support and blessings that have come my way during this time.  I live each day fully knowing that life is a gift.  I find joy in little things.  I look for opportunities to make a difference.

I hope you will take this opportunity to make a difference too, by supporting me to raise funds for Multiple Myeloma research.

In gratitude,
Munira.