My Greatest Walk takes place on Sunday, March 29, with local community radio station EMFM hosting the Echuca event.
Participants will walk around the scenic Echuca East Reserve for one or two laps, helping to raise vital awareness of the blood cancer myeloma.
Myeloma attacks healthy blood cells, gradually weakening bones and leaving patients vulnerable to fractures and mobility issues. Currently, there is no cure.
Each year, about 2000 Australians are diagnosed with myeloma, with 22,000 people nationwide currently living with this challenging cancer.
The word ‘myeloma’ is familiar to the members of EMFM, with several volunteers living with the disease and others having been lost to it.
It hits even closer to home for station manager John Vincent, whose wife has myeloma.
He described it as a silent disease that could develop undetected for months or even years.
“I think more people have got myeloma than they know. It’s not until there is a real issue with their health and they start digging deeper and go to an oncologist and realise your blood count isn’t right,” Mr Vincent said.
He said this event would be a success if it informed people about myeloma and raised awareness of its dangers.
The group has already attracted supporters travelling from Shepparton, Nanneella and Nathalia, but its members are hoping their own local community — the people they serve on air every day — will rally behind this meaningful cause.
“We’ve got to find a cure,” Mr Vincent said.
“It’s something we can do for the community other than being a radio station that’s a little bit different.”
For just $30, participants receive registration, contribute to vital research, receive insurance coverage and become part of a nationwide effort to beat myeloma.
As a bonus, walkers can enjoy a complimentary sausage sizzle thanks to Echuca Rotary and take an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the EMFM studios.
To register, visit radioemfm.org.au, and to learn more about myeloma, visit myeloma.org.au
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