Susan McLean, second from the left, attending a prior multiple myeloma walk event in Nanaimo. (Submitted photo)

By Jordan Davidson

march for a cause

‘There are younger people getting it too:’ Nanaimo myeloma marcher advocates for early testing

Sep 5, 2022 | 5:19 AM

NANAIMO — Spreading awareness and fundraising for a cure are the main goals of an annual community march.

The Nanaimo Multiple Myeloma March returns Monday, Sep. 5 beginning at 10 a.m. from Maffeo Sutton Park. It raises money for treatments and awareness of the cancerous disease which forms in blood cells and limits immune response.

Susan McLean, a retired local English teacher, will be among those walking and is now in remission and off all medications after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Originally she was told she may only survive a few more years after her 2016 diagnosis.

“I work out a lot, like on a daily basis, but other people who don’t, don’t seem to cope as well afterwards, and it could be because they can’t or because they just don’t want to. But I think for me, doing yoga, working out, and being fit, has really helped. So my back is quite strong, so I can deal with the back pain.”

Following intense treatments where her stem cells were harvested, followed by what she called an “atom bomb of chemo”, the stem cells are then replaced, but it leaves the person in a very weak and immunocompromised state.

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This is considered the standard treatment for myeloma, with new drugs and treatments costing upwards of $1 million or more.

A community volunteer all of her life, McLean said she wants the myeloma community to know they have plenty of support, as she attends events put on by Myeloma Canada across the country whenever she can.

“The myeloma community is quite a vibrant community, it’s like I have this whole brand new group of friends…it just seemed like a really interesting group of people who were very knowledgeable about their disease and yet very positive at the same time.”

She said along with a healthy lifestyle, early detection is a big factor in treating myeloma.

It’s something she has advocated for healthcare professionals to be more aware of.

“It’s actually a very simple blood test which could be added to your routine blood tests. I also know a lot of people in their 40’s who have myeloma, but it tends to be a disease you get in your 60’s on average, but there are younger people getting it too.”

She said if you’re experiencing back pain or are constantly exhausted yet you haven’t been able to find a reason, you should ask for a blood test for myeloma.

“It’s really important to keep pushing. Like, I knew something was wrong, so I kept pushing and I kept going back to the doctor, and not everybody would do that…but I just knew something was wrong. I had excellent medical care all the way through, but I think you have to be proactive and just advocate for yourself.”

McLean founded the myeloma support group in Nanaimo and said there are now additional support groups located in Comox and Victoria.

For more information on how to participate or donate to the march, or for information on support groups, you can head to Myeloma Canada’s website.

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