Gulf War veteran cycles Iceland for myeloma research

Eric Blackburn, a former U.S. soldier who fought in the Gulf War, is currently cycling across Iceland, a journey undertaken with a personal mission. Two years ago, Blackburn was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma, an early stage of blood cancer, but he faces his health challenges with a smile.

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I was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma two years ago and then threw myself into promotional work and research related to the disease and this project in Iceland is a product of that.

Blackburn, originally from Portland, Oregon, is advocating for a group of fourteen patients and their supporters who are cycling around Iceland for the third consecutive year. This initiative aims to raise awareness and collect funds for myeloma research. While Blackburn has visited Iceland before, this is his first time participating in the cycling tour.

He views his diagnosis as an opportunity to engage with this project. Iceland was chosen as the venue due to extensive research on myeloma precursors and the disease itself, notably the "Blood Screening for Salvation" initiative led by Dr. Sigurður Yngvi Kristinsson. Blackburn highlighted Iceland's unique position, with its national genome recorded, making it an ideal location for such research.

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Iceland is the only country that has undertaken a national study on the precursor to the disease and the disease itself and is the perfect place for it, as I understand that the genome of the entire nation has been recorded in Iceland.

Reflecting on his military service, Blackburn noted that many U.S. soldiers in the Gulf War were exposed to toxins. He has battled several related illnesses and knows other veterans with similar stories. This experience fuels his belief that the United States should invest more in research to understand why people develop myeloma, how the disease progresses, and how to intervene earlier in the process. He criticizes the current approach in his home country, where treatment often begins only after symptoms appear.

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I served in the U.S. Army and fought in the Gulf War, and many of us, at least us U.S. soldiers, were exposed to toxins there. I have struggled with several illnesses related to this, and I know other soldiers who have the same story to tell. That's why I think we here in the United States should put more emphasis on research like you have done in Iceland regarding why people get myeloma, how the disease progresses, and how we can address it earlier in the process.