2025 Iceland Cycling Expedition: Riding to End Multiple Myeloma

From August 27 – September 2, a team of 20 iron-willed individuals — myeloma patients, care partners, doctors, researchers, and industry partners alike — embarked on another unforgettable 150-mile cycling expedition of Iceland’s breathtaking but arduous landscape. Their unfaltering quest to end myeloma continues — raising awareness of the disease and research funding to find a cure.

“Myeloma is a relentless disease, but our cyclists are resilient. And every mile takes us closer to the cure. The terrain is really rugged, but it’s no more rugged than what they face every day. So here we are — patients, care partners, clinicians, researchers, and our sponsors and supporters. We are here with a shared mission to take us to the cure,” said International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) Interim CEO and Senior VP of Strategic Planning Diane Moran, RN, MA, EdM.

“We are here with 20 participants and have raised almost $1.1 million in the race to find a cure for multiple myeloma. The time has never been better. We are here for a purpose mixed with passion,” said former IMF VP of Development Sylvia Dsouza, who spearheaded the annual event.

“The IMF’s annual Iceland Cycling Expedition is nothing short of extraordinary – it is a journey of hope, determination, resilience, and sheer willpower to conquer odds, whether fighting myeloma or withstanding the treacherous terrain of Iceland,” added Sylvia.

IMF Scientific Advisory Member and the 2025 Iceland Cycling Expedition’s Fundraising Chair Saad Zafar Usmani, MD, MBA, FACP, FASCO (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — New York, NY) believes that “the key message is that the organization is committed to finding the cure and finding ways in which we can get grassroot efforts, fundraising efforts to raise money for cancer research.”

Here are some snapshots from this challenging but inspiring journey:

Patients: Thriving in their myeloma journey

Diagnosed with myeloma in May 2022 at age 36, Ashley Dieks has been a lifelong cyclist and a natural fit for the expedition. Because of her myeloma journey, “cycling became more than just a form of exercise—it became a symbol of resilience.”

“I just want to show that despite a diagnosis with myeloma, we still can accomplish great things,” she added.

Benjamin Freund’s myeloma journey began in 2019. He said that by doing this ride, “I’m showing the disease that I will continue to enjoy life and thrive despite it.”

Katherine Podgorski has been fighting the disease for decades—first, as a caregiver to her mother, Irene, who passed away from myeloma. Now, Katherine has been diagnosed with smoldering myeloma herself. “This journey is dedicated to my mother, and most importantly, to my children. It is a reminder that we can do anything, and that we can make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer,” she said.

“To be here, raising funds to help understand what causes myeloma, the genetics of myeloma, is, you know, exactly what I think will help make a difference for future generations,” Katherine said further.

Jered Haddad, who participated in last year’s inaugural Iceland Cycling Expedition said, “Participating [again this year] provided me with a platform to share my personal journey in fighting myeloma and to show fellow patients that it is possible to return to a normal life.”

In the midst of cycling, Jered said: "This is the life. I feel I'm going to tap into a level of perseverance that I haven't hit in quite a while. I think we're going to go big today."

Richard Pampe, an avid cyclist and adventure enthusiast, said, “Facing myeloma inspires me to stay strong and healthy. The opportunity to participate is an honor. I am eager to learn from others, inspire others, and to raise funding for future research.”

Care partners: Going above and beyond

Caring for his wife Carol, who was diagnosed in 2020, Troy Fischer is both passionate about his role as a care partner as well as cycling for a cause. “Through this ride, I’m not only raising funds, but I’m also sharing our story to give a face to this disease and inspire hope,” he said.

Tatum Byhre is a care partner to her mother, who was diagnosed with myeloma in January 2024. “As both a caregiver and healthcare professional, I am deeply committed to supporting efforts that prioritize early intervention and work toward improving the lives of those affected by this devastating disease,” she said.

Clinicians and researchers: Committed to finding a cure

A myeloma clinician and researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, Dr. Saad Usmani returned to the Iceland Cycling Expedition for the second time whilst also serving as the fundraising chair. “The Iceland Cycling Expedition has motivated me to be a positive force of change for our myeloma community,” he said.

Duke Cancer Institute myeloma clinician and researcher Dr. Cristina Gasparetto also joined the expedition for the second time, as this year’s lead cyclist. “It takes a village to fight cancer. I was here last year. It's even more exciting this year. I think this group is fantastic, and I just can't believe I'm here again, riding with these people,” said the North Carolina-based myeloma expert.

A physician at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit and a cancer survivor, Dr. Jeffrey Zonder said: “As a cancer survivor, my personal experience adds a unique and deeply motivating perspective to my work. It strengthens my commitment to continue supporting myeloma research, with the ultimate goal of finding a cure for myeloma patients.”

As director of the Hematology Disease Center and the Plasma Cell Dyscrasias Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Dr. Douglas Sborov is adamant about finding a cure. “My unwavering dedication to patient care, combined with my enthusiasm for advancing medical research, drives my participation,” he said.

Industry partners: Making the impossible possible

Johnson & Johnson representatives Tracy Ely and June Lanoue experienced the challenging journey firsthand. They were especially moved to take part in the expedition “to honor the strength of those living with multiple myeloma.”

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. These are patients who are fighting for their lives, but living their dream today," said June.

GSK representatives Zeyad Khalaf and Alejandro Rodriguez shared: “This, to us, is a metaphor for what myeloma patients go through in their design journey. Thinking about myeloma patients as we train, and taking on this challenge motivates and drives us.”

Alejandro added: "We are together to end multiple myeloma, and I truly believe in that."

Sanofi brought in Tara Nazarenko and Christina Tankle as representatives, while Bristol Myers Squibb had Keri Nelson, Doug Bailey, and Chris Smith. All expressed that they were compelled to take part because they felt that the expedition’s demanding course mirrors the trajectory faced by myeloma patients — with all its ups and downs, and unexpected twists and turns.

"I won't lie, I'm a little nervous, but I think after [the first day’s] warm-up ride and seeing how we all really banded together and got through it, I'm excited to see what’s in store," said Keri.

"These are individuals that are struggling and are really out here, riding faster than I am on a bicycle, which is amazing,” said Doug.

The IMF is truly grateful for the kind generosity of the 2025 Iceland Cycling Expedition sponsors: Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson (flagship sponsors), Sanofi, GSK (Myeloma Warrior sponsors), Arcellx and Kite Pharma (Myeloma Resilient sponsors).

Stopping myeloma in its tracks

The Iceland Cycling Expedition is a signature marquee IMF Myeloma Cures fundraiser, with these goals: highlighting the IMF’s diverse and robust research portfolio; deepening and strengthening communities’ relationship to the IMF mission; and raising critical funds to help advance the IMF’s research initiatives — with the iStopMM Project benefiting from the fundraiser as a major initiative of the IMF’s research portfolio.  

The iStopMM Project is an ongoing and ambitious research project at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik, with Dr. Kristinsson as principal investigator. The goal is to screen Iceland’s population for the presence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) — the precursor state to smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) — or for the presence of smoldering myeloma (SMM) or active myeloma.  

Partnering with iStopMM is deCODE Genetics — the company responsible for performing whole-genome sequencing for the entire population of Iceland.  

See and experience it for yourself

Watch this video coverage of the 2025 Iceland Cycling Expedition (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANqjrjGWLm4) and witness for yourself why it is one of the most remarkable, inspiring journeys of all time.  

We hope you can join us next year, so you too can experience this exciting yet purposeful expedition toward a cure!  

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Iceland Cycling Expedition. To register, visit the IMF Iceland Cycling Expedition page (https://www.myeloma.org/ways-give/other-ways-give/iceland-cycling-expedition).