Pedaling for Prevention: Myeloma Warriors Tackle Iceland's Terrain

STUDIO CITY, Calif. – April 16, 2026 – This August, a group of multiple myeloma patients, their doctors, and supporters will trade hospital corridors for Iceland's volcanic highlands. They are embarking on the International Myeloma Foundation's (IMF) 3rd annual Iceland Cycling Expedition, a grueling six-day journey designed to raise funds and awareness for the world’s second most common blood cancer. From August 18-24, this team will traverse the rugged landscapes of Reykjavík and the Icelandic highlands in an endurance challenge that powerfully reflects the daily struggles of those living with cancer.

“Every mile of this expedition tells a powerful story — of resilience, of community, and of an unwavering commitment to change what it means to live with multiple myeloma,” said IMF President & CEO Heather Cooper Ortner. The event aims not only to generate critical funding for research but to forge deeper connections among those on the front lines of the disease, moving closer to a future where myeloma is preventable and curable.

A Journey of Resilience and Shared Purpose

At the heart of this year’s expedition is a trio that embodies its collaborative spirit: Dr. Douglas Sborov, a myeloma specialist from the University of Utah's Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), who will not only lead the ride but will pedal alongside two of his own patients, Ruth Centurier-Harris and Denise Josse.

For Centurier-Harris, diagnosed at 39, the ride is a celebration of life and a testament to endurance. “About 17 bone marrow biopsies, 9 months walking with a cane, 2 stem cell transplants, 1 bout with life-threatening pneumonia, 1 relapse, and 9 years of treatment later, I join this team, because I know we can do hard things and that we are definitely stronger together,” she stated. Her journey is a profound reminder of the physical and emotional gauntlet of myeloma. “I ride to embrace LIFE, to remind myself that so much is possible, and that beauty and struggle go hand in hand.”

Denise Josse’s path to the expedition was shaped by both personal diagnosis and family loss. Initially diagnosed with MGUS, a precursor to myeloma, she later received a revised diagnosis of high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (HRSMM) from Dr. Sborov. Her commitment was galvanized by her father’s battle with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which he lost in 2023. Josse now rides to honor his memory through advocacy, stating that her participation would have made her parents proud. “It is an honor to join fellow patients, caregivers, and myeloma providers on this expedition, and I participate in recognition of all myeloma warriors: past, present, and future,” she said.

Their shared journey across Iceland with their physician symbolizes the partnership essential to navigating a complex disease, turning a doctor-patient relationship into a team united against a common foe. They will be joined by fellow patient-cyclists Eric Blackburn, John Bush Jr., Andrew Gordon, Katherine Podgorski Ulak, Mimi Quinn, and Khatchig Tchapadarian.

Iceland: The Unlikely Epicenter of Myeloma Research

The choice of Iceland as the backdrop for this grueling ride is no coincidence. The nation is home to one of the most significant cancer prevention studies in the world: the IMF-led iStopMM project (Iceland Screens, Treats, or Prevents Multiple Myeloma). Before their ride begins, participants will tour the deCODE Genetics facility in Reykjavík, the hub of this groundbreaking research.

Launched in 2017, the iStopMM study invited all Icelanders over 40 to be screened for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a benign precursor condition that can progress to multiple myeloma. With over 80,000 participants—more than half the eligible population—the project is the largest cancer screening study of its kind. Its goal is to determine whether population-wide screening and early intervention can improve patient outcomes and potentially prevent the disease altogether.

Dr. Sigurdur Y. Kristinsson, the project's principal investigator, will present the latest findings to the cyclists. Early results have already shown that individuals identified through screening have fewer myeloma-related complications like bone lesions and kidney damage compared to those diagnosed after symptoms appear. The unique genetic data from Iceland’s population, housed at the deCODE DNA Biobank, offers researchers an unparalleled opportunity to identify risk factors and understand the triggers that cause the disease to progress. This research is not just academic; for patients like Denise Josse with HRSMM, it represents the frontline of a strategy that could keep their disease from ever becoming active.

Fueling Progress: A Blueprint for Impactful Advocacy

The Iceland Cycling Expedition has rapidly become a powerful engine for both fundraising and community building. The 2025 expedition, with just 20 riders, raised nearly $1.1 million for the IMF’s research portfolio. This year's event aims to build on that success, channeling funds directly into pioneering projects like iStopMM.

Dr. Saad Usmani, Chief of the Myeloma Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the expedition’s Fundraising Chair, has been involved since its inception. “What began as a pilot effort for the IMF, has grown into something far greater than we imagined — expanding both in community spirit and the funds raised to support the research mission,” said Dr. Usmani, who returns for his third ride. “Every mile pedaled and every dollar raised reflects our collective commitment and hope towards curing multiple myeloma.”

The event’s success is amplified by significant corporate support. Flagship sponsor Johnson & Johnson, a major developer of myeloma therapies, is joined by Myeloma Warrior sponsors Arcellx, Inc./Kite Pharma, Inc., and Pfizer, Inc., as well as Myeloma Resilient sponsor Sanofi. Their involvement underscores a shared commitment within the healthcare industry to advance the science and support the patient community that depends on it. This synergy between patient advocacy, clinical leadership, and industry partnership has created a potent model for accelerating progress against complex diseases.

The Race Against a Relentless Disease

The urgency fueling these efforts is rooted in the formidable nature of multiple myeloma. The disease, a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow, remains largely incurable despite incredible therapeutic advances over the past two decades. Breakthroughs like CAR T-cell therapies and bispecific antibodies have transformed treatment, extending survival from a few years to over a decade for many. Yet, the cancer inevitably finds ways to resist treatment and recur.

Furthermore, the burden of myeloma is not shared equally. In the United States, the disease is twice as common and diagnosed at a younger age in African Americans, who also face significantly worse survival outcomes. This disparity is driven less by biology and more by systemic factors, including delayed diagnosis and unequal access to cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials. The IMF’s fundraising and awareness efforts, including its M-Power Project, aim to tackle these inequities head-on, ensuring that scientific progress benefits all patients.

As the cyclists prepare to clip into their pedals, they carry with them the weight of these challenges and the hope of overcoming them. Their journey across the land of fire and ice is more than an athletic feat; it is a rolling, breathing testament to a community’s refusal to be defined by a diagnosis. Each turn of the wheel is a push forward, not just over a mountain pass, but toward a future where no one has to suffer from multiple myeloma.