Three years ago, a multiple myeloma diagnosis blindsided Mike Cullen Johnson. Now in remission, he cycles to raise funds for the MMRF.

When it came to his health, Mike Cullen Johnson had done everything right. He ate well, he took care of himself, he lived a full life with his wife, Alicia, and their children. So when Mike went in for his annual physical and his bloodwork came back with an abnormal result, he wasn’t worried—least of all about a multiple myeloma diagnosis.

Mike still remembers the shock he felt the moment his oncologist told him he likely had myeloma. Alicia hadn’t come to the appointment, so Mike drove himself home.

“That was the longest drive ever,” he said. “I think I slept for two or three days just hoping I would wake up and discover that this was a dream. I was in denial, because I’ve pretty much lived my life in a way to safeguard myself from a diagnosis like this—doing all of the things you’re supposed to do.”

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a dream, and his diagnosis sent him into a very dark place.

“I immediately started to think: How long do I have to live? Is it a year? Is it two years?” he said. “Mentally, I had become very broken.”

A deeply spiritual person, Mike turned to prayer, journaling, and meditation to heal as he prepared for treatment: induction chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. Today, he is in remission on maintenance therapy and “pretty much doing everything I did before the diagnosis,” he said.

That includes pursuing one of his biggest passions: cycling.

“When I was diagnosed, I really didn’t see myself getting on a bike again,” he said. “When I told my doctor I was planning a six-day, hundred-plus-mile ride, he told me, “You look good. Your numbers look good. Live your life.’ That’s the mindset I’ve carried ever since.”

Cycling is also what brought Mike to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). He found the Foundation’s Road to Victories cycling program while researching charity rides for myeloma and has since completed two events for the MMRF.

“With myeloma, or any disease, you can feel isolated. When I found the MMRF, I immediately thought: This is my community. This is the group of people that I need to be around,” he said.

Mike is keenly aware that outcomes like his aren’t always possible for every myeloma patient—and of how far myeloma research has come because of the MMRF’s groundbreaking research.

“I’m encouraged more than anything because the MMRF is working on patients’ behalf, advancing treatments,” he said. “They’re going to help someone’s kid, someone’s dad, someone’s mom. That’s what I’m really fighting for and why I give.”