Iceland's Role in Myeloma Research Highlighted During US Veterans' Cycling Tour
Translated from Icelandic and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
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- A group of US veterans, including former soldier Eric Blackburn, are cycling across Iceland to raise awareness and funds for multiple myeloma research.
- Blackburn, who suffers from smoldering myeloma, met with Icelandic researchers at deCODE Genetics.
- The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) supports the initiative, which aims to shed light on the disease, particularly among veterans exposed to hazardous materials.
A group of US veterans, including former Gulf War soldier Eric Blackburn, are undertaking a cycling journey across Iceland to raise global awareness and funds for multiple myeloma research. Blackburn, who has smoldering myeloma, a precursor to the blood cancer, is participating in this awareness and fundraising tour.
The group met with Icelandic researchers at deCODE Genetics, including Professor Sigurður Yngvi Kristinsson, a leading expert in blood disorders and the primary driver of the "Blood Screening for Survival" research in Iceland. This collaboration underscores the international effort to understand and combat the disease.
I am not very happy, I don't know what happened to my luggage, it didn't come with my flight.
The initiative is supported by the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), which runs programs for US service members with precursor conditions or multiple myeloma. The disease has been notably prevalent among US soldiers exposed to hazardous substances in various conflict zones. Heather Cooper Ortner, the president of the IMF, is accompanying the group.
Blackburn described the trip as a "symbolic journey for all of us." The cyclists' efforts aim to draw attention to the disease and its impact, fostering a greater understanding and encouraging support for ongoing research. The Icelandic leg of their tour included meetings with local medical experts and discussions on the latest developments in myeloma research.
It is a symbolic journey for all of us.
About this summary
Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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