Jersey City Woman Hikes Through Alaska For Multiple Myeloma

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A Jersey City woman is making her through Alaska alongside a team of 12 people in an effort to raise awareness for multiple myeloma and raise money for research into the cancer.

Multiple Myeloma is a blood cancer that targets the bod's plasma cells and can cause tumors, kidney damage, bone destruction and impaired immune function. According to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, the hallmark characteristic of multiple myeloma is a high level of M protein in the blood.

The climb through the Alaska-Kenai Peninsula is a joint initiative between the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and CURE Media Group and is sponsored by Sanofi Genzyme. The climb includes multiple myeloma patients, caregivers, friends, and family members.

Donna Catamero of Jersey City has been working with multiple myeloma patients for over 2 decades and her patients have always been her inspiration. She is hiking to bring awareness to all the work the foundation has done to help patients and treat myeloma. She is hiking in honor of the patients she lost and the patients she is still fighting for. With the help of the MMRF, she believes she will see a cure in her lifetime. She currently works as a nurse practitioner, focusing of clinical research, at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Catamero is hiking from August 16-21.

Since MM4MM began with its first climb in 2016, the program has raised over $3 million. All proceeds raised go directly to the MMRF. Each hiker, including Catamero, is fundraising during their climb.

"This program is truly such a powerful and life-changing experience for every hiker, and we look forward to continuing our support to help raise awareness and critical funds for multiple myeloma research," said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences, parent company of CURE Media Group.