SOB Dick Roth is Riding for a Cure

Me and My Cancer
For the last 20 years, I have been doing research, bill drafting, speaking, and lobbying to reduce DWI in the US (www.RothInterlock.org). Now I have multiple myeloma, a rare incurable blood cancer and I am asking for your support for myeloma research and patient care. Researchers are making great strides in increasing the life expectancy and quality of life of myeloma patients like me. After 24 chemotherapy treatments, I am healthy enough to participate in a 200 mile bicycling event called “Miles for Myeloma”, M4M. This fundraising event will start in Columbus, OH on September 30 and end in Indianapolis, IN on October 1.

Although myeloma is rare, about 25,000 Americans are diagnosed each year, and more than 11,000 die of the disease annually. As my family now knows, rare diseases are just as devastating as common ones.  If you choose to make a gift, cancer patients like me will ultimately benefit in life-expectancy and quality-of-life from your generosity.

Go to www.cancer.iu.edu/m4m and click on “Give Now’ button at the very bottom of the page. Select  “Multiple Myeloma Research Fund”. Click on “next” and complete the contribution information. If you put my name in the “In honor of” box, I will be able to send you a thank you note. If you prefer to contribute by check, make check payable to IUF/Miles for Myeloma and send it to:
Miles for Myeloma, c/o IU Foundation, PO Box 7072, Indianapolis, IN 46207-7072

For the last 11 years, the myeloma team at the IU Health Simon Cancer Center has hosted this m4m fundraising event, which is really going the extra mile for patients like me. Since 2005, Dr. Rafat Abonour and several members of his IU research and care team have run and cycled between Indianapolis and many cities in the Midwest. The goal is to raise awareness about this rare cancer and generate funding for research and enhanced patient care. This work is incredibly important to my family and me.
Miles for Myeloma has raised more than $3 million for IU multiple myeloma research since 2005. The work funded by these dollars is helping us better understand the disease and conduct clinical trials to explore new treatment options. To help support patients affected by the disease today, Miles for Myeloma is broadening its scope and, starting this year, the effort will also support enhanced patient care at the IU Health Simon Cancer Center via the Methodist Health Foundation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at RichardRoth2300@msn.com or 505-471-4764 or contact Amber Kleopfer Senseny, our IU liaison, at akleopfe@iu.edu or 317-278-4510.

Sincerely,

Richard (Dick) Roth

P.S. – No gift is too small, and all gifts are appreciated. I sincerely thank you!