When I was diagnosed with myeloma, as I wasn’t familiar with this disease, I asked Dr. Google for help. The MMRF popped up, and its comprehensive website immediately struck me—in particular, with its movement program to help give back and support my new myeloma community. I opted to start my “Gotta Run with Will” team for the 2022 NYC MMRF Walk/Run event. My team name comes from my cable TV program on the running culture that I have been hosting since 2010 on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network.
I wanted to meet others with myeloma, and the walk/run could easily accommodate loads of folks, including those with strollers or dogs. I knew this would appeal to my friends and community.
A diagnosis of myeloma not only affects me but my family and loved ones as well. Naturally, they want to display support in their way. So the MMRF does me a great honor with this award, which I can happily share with my spouse and community.
Knowledge is power. Fortunately, there are excellent videos where specialists share new treatments and their challenges. For example, a doctor said that, at times, researchers need diagnostic blood data and bone marrow samples more than the money that funds research. Because I’m tested multiple times a year, I opted to share my test results with the Myeloma researchers. I turned my worry about blood tests into valuable information to help Myeloma centers accelerate a cure.
“The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.” – Abraham Lincoln. I keep busy most days as I’ve gotten very good at producing my cable shows that showcase personalities running the world and bettering the lives of others.
Having a myeloma specialist on your wellness team can make all the difference in calming your worrisome days, which for some are those upcoming days in taking blood samples. Also, patients should have their support teams meet the doctors. I was fortunate to have my two doctors, Dr. Faith Davies and Dr. Gareth Morgan from the Perlmutter Cancer Center, at the MMRF Walk/Run, where Dr. Davies reassured my wife that our quality of life could be as good as needed.
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation is delighted to recognize Will Sanchez as the MMRF Spirit of Hope Honoree at the 2023 MMRF Team for Cures: New York City Walk/Run. Donate to his team “Gotta Run with Will” to accelerate a cure!
This award is presented at every Walk/Run to a patient, caregiver, or family who inspires hope through their resilience, perseverance, and dedication to the MMRF and its mission.
