2023 Miracles for Myeloma 5K Run/Walk
For 11 years, Sheree & Ron Pask have been raising funds to benefit the global myeloma community
By Sylvia Dsouza, IMF Vice President, Development
In October 2023, the Miracles for Myeloma 5K Run/Walk annual event celebrated its 11th anniversary. Founded in 2013, the Miracles for Myeloma 5K event has raised more than $830,000 to date. It has made a significant impact on myeloma research by funding 10 Brian D. Novis Research Grants (7 grants to Senior investigators plus 3 grants to Junior investigators). In 2023, the Miracles for Myeloma 5K funded a Senior research project by Boaz Tirosh, PhD (Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH).
The Brian D. Novis Research Grant program was established by the IMF in 1995 in memory of its co-founder. The grants are awarded annually to promote research into finding a cure for patients with myeloma. To date, the IMF has awarded more than 150 grants to researchers working on some of the most promising projects in the field of myeloma.
The Miracles for Myeloma 5K was co-founded by Sheree & Ron Pask and Gina Klemm, individuals who had no prior fundraising experience. Sheree was diagnosed with myeloma in 2007, and Gina’s brother Frank Guarino passed away from myeloma in 2012. Sheree, Ron, and Gina felt deeply about the effect of myeloma on the lives of both patients and care partners, and they wanted to make a difference. Sheree, Ron, and Gina made a commitment to raising awareness of myeloma and raising funds for myeloma research. Together with a hard-working organizing committee and the unwavering support of their families, their very first event was an impressive success.
The Pasks’ relationship with the IMF started with their call to request patient-education publications after Sheree was diagnosed. They also joined two different myeloma support groups years before they launched the Miracles for Myeloma 5K, and were very familiar with the IMF’s programs and services. Over the years, their engagement with the IMF and its mission have strengthened and deepened, and their commitment has been evident in their hard work and dedication to making the Miracles for Myeloma 5K event a success year after year.
Originating in the small community of Clark, NJ, the impact of the Miracles for Myeloma 5K event continued to grow over the years, and it is now making a global impact. The sense of community and camaraderie has been a common thread throughout the event’s growth and evolution. When Ron and Sheree were asked about their favorite part of race day, they said: “It is looking around and seeing people from all walks of life and stages of the myeloma journey coming together with their friends and family to participate in this event. We are all united in a common goal of making a difference in the myeloma community by spreading awareness and by raising funds towards a cure! It’s an amazing feeling. The smiles on the faces of the participants and the sense of fulfillment at the end of the day are simply unparalleled. We know that we are making a difference!”
To showcase the impact of member fundraising efforts, the IMF hosts an annual Brian D. Novis Grant Reception that brings together beneficiaries and benefactors to share their collective vision for a better world for all myeloma patients. Sheree and Ron recall attending one such reception, “It was a milestone. We had the opportunity to meet and shake hands with a researcher working on a project funded by a grant supported by our fundraising efforts. It felt so empowering and fulfilling to do something of such enormous importance for the myeloma community.”
When asked to share a piece of advice with other peer-to-peer fundraisers, Sheree and Ron enthusiastically stated, “While it takes a tremendous amount of work and dedication to make a fundraising event successful, it is very rewarding and fulfilling!”
“One person can make a difference, two people can make a miracle,” said Brian D. Novis. We would like to thank the Miracles for Myeloma organizers and supporters for continuing to make miracles happen for our myeloma community. If you would like to show your support for the Miracles for Myeloma 5K, please visit fundraise.myeloma.org/event/e479669. Donations will be accepted until December 15, 2023.
YOU can play an integral part in the fight against myeloma by becoming our philanthropic partner and supporting the IMF’s four founding pillars: Research, Education, Support, and Advocacy. Contact Sylvia Dsouza at [email protected]. If you’re interested in discussing major gifts, planned giving, stocks, IRAs, or bequests.
(This article was published in the 2023 Fall Edition of the IMF's quarterly publication, Myeloma Today. Read the full publication here.)