How did you get involved in with the MMRF?

I found the MMRF on the suggestion of my Oncology team when I was diagnosed on my 50th birthday. They immediately became my beacon of hope. I did my first event with the MMRF in September, three months after I was diagnosed with MM, and ran a 5K event and raised $2,500. I’ve since gone on to do the following fundraising events for the MMRF:

2011 – Chicago Marathon

2012 – Chicago Marathon

2013 – New York Marathon

2014 – Lake Placid Ironman support team

2015 – Big Sur Half-Marathon

2016 – Climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro

2017 – Boston Marathon

2018 – Mt. Everest Base Camp

2019 – Vermont – Quebec cycling trip

2020 – Hilliard, Ohio Outlaw Ride

2022 – Acadia National Park/Maine cycling trip

2023 – Columbia River Gorge cycling trip

Our total money raised by team GoJeffGo exceeds $175,000 and counting.

What do you want people to know about multiple myeloma?

I want people to know that now more than ever, people with MM are living quality lives for much longer. We’ve gone from four drugs to 15 drugs developed in the past 13 years.

Why is participating in the MMRF Road to Victories ride important to you?

Participating in the Road to Victories ride truly recharges my “faith battery” and restores my sense of camaraderie with fellow MM warriors and my extended MM family.

What are you looking most forward to/excited about in regard to the ride?

I’m excited to visit this special area in the Columbia River Gorge that I’ve visited before when we climbed Mt. Saint Helen and trekked Mt. Hood wilderness. It’s such a scenic and visual area to experience.

What does your training regimen for this event look like?

My training has consisted of ever-increasing training rides starting in the spring after recovering from my CarT procedure in January—lots of cross-training in my very active outdoor pursuits. Watching the Tour de France in July helped me shape my mental preparation, which is equally important in any epic adventure you’re preparing for.

Who/what inspires you?

I’m inspired by my brothers who cycle and train and participate in lots of cycling adventures. I’m inspired by friends and strangers who consistently step up and donate to our wonderful cause. I’m inspired by the incredible people working so diligently in the labs and hospitals to fine-tune and even perfect the existing treatments for myeloma patients! I’m inspired by the MM patients that I mentor during various parts of their MM journey. Their strength and determination to overcome is inspiring.

Anything additional to add?

Caregivers are the unsung heroes, like my wife Ramona, who has done so much to support my/our journey with MM. None of our accomplishments would have been possible without her. Love you Babe!