Our Founding Story Of How We Began Our Journey Of Making Miracles For Myeloma

Sheree’s Story

It’s hard to believe that this will be our 14th year for Miracles for Myeloma 5K Race\Walk, and we have funded a total of 13 research grants and raised over $900,000! This year we will continue taking the hybrid route, where we will combine virtual as well as in person
participation. The choice is up to you. My needs are just as strong as ever, to help raise awareness for multiple myeloma, and this year to reach our one million mark for myeloma research!

My personal story began almost 19 years ago in 2007, when I went to my primary care physician for my annual routine physical. This appointment turned out to be anything but routine! Imagine my surprise, confusion, and fear, when I was diagnosed with a disease that I never knew existed! This disease, multiple myeloma, is defined as an incurable cancer of the plasma cells. After going through chemotherapy treatments and two stem cell transplants, I am currently in remission. However, my personal battle with myeloma is far from over, as there is no cure available yet! Of course, my goal is for a cure to be found, and this is why I was and will always
be so passionate about reestablishing this annual race in conjunction with the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) to help fund much needed research.

We are definitely helping to make Miracles for Myeloma. So with this in mind, let’s all try to help accelerate the cures, and give hope to myeloma survivors and their families. The Miracles for Myeloma committee invites you to join us along with the IMF to fight this deadly disease and to help us reach our milestone of raising a million dollars as we cross that finish line… the cure for multiple myeloma.

Gina’s Story

My brother, Frank Guarino, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in June of 2011. He passed away just 18 months later, on December 31, 2012, at the age of 51. When Frank was diagnosed, we had never heard of this disease but that changed after
countless trips to Hackensack University Medical Center, two stem cell transplants and several chemotherapy treatments. Frank was an avid runner since high school and he discussed wanting to raise money for multiple myeloma research by hosting a 5K race. His life was cut short prior to seeing this goal emerge as a miracle.

Multiple myeloma is not a widely known cancer, but as fate would have it I met a wonderful person who was unfortunately dealing with the same disease as my brother. Within the hallways of my daughter’s preschool, Sheree Pask and I became instant friends while
discussing our circumstances surrounding this rare form of cancer.

As a tribute to my brother Frank, during his funeral services, we included several of his racing numbers along with many photos of him running throughout his life. Sheree and Ron Pask saw these tributes and asked if I would join them in creating a fundraising 5K race. To our amazement, with the support of family, friends, sponsors and dedicated runners throughout New Jersey, thirteen 5K races successfully took place. Together, we made a miracle happen!

If the Miracles for Myeloma Annual 5K would help save one family from enduring the heartache this disease has caused my own family, this would be the biggest tribute I could give to my brother Frank. Please join the Miracles for Myeloma 5K Committee in making our 14th year a success by contributing toward our combined goal of reaching $1 million.