Healthcare professionals and researchers play a vital role every day in helping change the lives of people affected by myeloma. We caught up with two dedicated professionals just before they stepped beyond their clinical roles to support Myeloma UK by cycling 450km over four days in our London Paris Ride 2024.
Myeloma Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Sue Robb, and Consultant Haematologist and Myeloma UK Chief Clinical and Scientific Officer, Professor Graham Jackson, regularly witness the challenges faced by patients and their loved ones. In this Q&A, they tell us about their motivations for supporting Myeloma UK and how, together, we create change.
If you’d like to support Sue and Graham with their fundraising, you can donate through the links below:
Tell us about why you are taking part in the London Paris Ride.
Sue: I completed the ride five years ago in 2019 and still remember how much fun it was, chatting along the way and the buzz upon reaching Paris! It is an opportunity to undertake a real personal challenge whilst raising significant funds to support Myeloma UK’s work. I really appreciate the difference Myeloma UK makes to my patients and so it’s logical that I support the charity in any way I can.
Graham: I have done triathlons and other fundraising events but for me the London Paris Ride is the best. Not only do we get to cycle through beautiful northern France on closed roads, but it is also a fantastic, warm friendly four days where you are looked after from start to finish. Of course, the ride itself is a challenge but the support throughout is fantastic. You meet patients, relatives, fellow healthcare professionals and people from the pharmaceutical community all coming together with one purpose. I have met so many lovely people on the four rides I have done to date. Last time I took part in the ride there were six riders with myeloma who completed it, some of whom were on treatment so this illustrates how the ride is possible for many.
Why is it important to support Myeloma UK?
Sue: Patients and families face an uncertain future with myeloma. It can be difficult for others around them to understand so this can mean those living with myeloma have limited support. Over my 12 years as a haematology CNS, I have observed Myeloma UK working to address the challenges patients face whilst striving to keep the patient central.
The written patient information, online resources and Infodays Myeloma UK provide help to support patients and loved ones in understanding their situation better and live well with myeloma. When it comes to involvement with clinical trials, I know the charity prioritises tolerability of treatments alongside efficacy.
I feel like Myeloma UK work alongside us, to help provide the best care for this patient group. Without Myeloma UK, patients would miss out on so much support and care.
Graham: If you look after patients with multiple myeloma you will be aware of how much Myeloma UK does to provide information and support for our patients and their relatives. I love that the patient is at the heart of everything Myeloma UK does so when it comes to fundraising there is, for me, only one charity to support.
What is your favorite thing about the ride?
Sue: I love the instant connection the riders have and the interesting discussions along the way. The social aspect during our breaks and in the evenings is great too. Hearing people’s reasons for undertaking the ride is often very humbling. I think you learn something about yourself when you stop the chaos of ‘normal life’ and get on your bike.
Graham: My favourite part of the ride, of course, is finishing. We get to see loved ones greeting their relatives who have faced many challenges and completed the ride. It is a time of laughter and tears. Tears of happiness and, often, tears of remembrance. I am not afraid to say that on every occasion I have taken part in the ride, I’ve had tears in my eyes watching these reunions.
What would you say to other healthcare professionals considering fundraising for Myeloma UK?
Sue: Get planning! Patients will love the opportunity to get involved and it helps bring them together as a community. Myeloma UK have a fundraising team that will support you and you can start with simple fundraisers. What better way to let your patients know you care but to fundraise for their charity.
Graham: I would thoroughly recommend taking part in a fundraising event like the ride. A challenge for sure, but one that is worth all the effort and all whilst supporting a fantastic charity.
Do you prefer to lace up your trainers or experience the rush of a skydive? The Myeloma UK fundraising team are here to support you all the way, whatever your event. Find out more >
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