Summer has a way of bringing people together. We gather around backyard barbecues, enjoy time with family and friends, and make memories that remind us what really matters. Before we know it, fall will be here and with it, one of my favourite times of the year: the Multiple Myeloma March season. 

Across the country, our incredible volunteers are already beginning to plan this year’s events. It may seem early, but these Marches don’t happen by accident. They happen because of a remarkable community of people who believe that together, we can make a difference. 

What I love most about the marches isn’t just the kilometres we walk it’s the connections we make along the way. 

Families walk together. Friends reunite. New friendships are formed. Patients, care partners, healthcare professionals, researchers, and supporters all come together with a shared purpose. Whether you’re pushing a stroller, walking with your grandchildren, bringing your dog, or cheering from the sidelines, everyone has a place in our community. 

2026 is a special March season for me 

This year, I have an extra reason to look forward to walking with you. In May, I underwent my second knee replacement surgery. I’m happy to say the recovery has been remarkably smoother and much faster than my first. The biggest difference? I was far better informed and prepared for what lay ahead. It struck me that this is exactly what we encourage every day at Myeloma Canada: learn, ask questions, prepare, and become an active partner in your care. Sometimes we’re very good at giving that advice, but not quite as good at following it ourselves! It is a lesson I had to relearn and am happy to have done so. 

I have no excuses this year and I fully intend to be marching right alongside you. 

Why I march… 

Of course, every dollar raised has a purpose. The funds generated through our Marches help Myeloma Canada continue to advocate for better access to treatments, provide trusted education and support programs, and invest in research that brings us closer to our vision of a life uninterrupted by myeloma. 

But perhaps just as important is what cannot be measured. 

The Marches remind every person living with myeloma that they are not alone. They remind us that hope grows stronger when it is shared. And they remind us that while myeloma affects individuals, it is our community that drives change. 

Join us at the 2026 Multiple Myeloma March 

As you enjoy the summer months, keep an eye out for your local Multiple Myeloma March. Invite your family. Rally your friends. Form a team. Wear your favourite walking shoes…and maybe even your funniest hat! Together, we’ll take thousands of steps, share countless smiles, and continue building a stronger myeloma community, one stride at a time. 

March with me this season. Sign up today. I look forward to seeing many of you this fall, meanwhile have a great summer! 

Martine Elias