Family plans cancer fundraiser

An event this Wednesday in Saskatoon will aim to raise funds for research into the cause of a little-known cancer known as multiple myeloma.

The fundraiser, which takes place Wednesday at the Odeon Events Centre, is being organized by the family of George Ferguson, a Saskatoon man diagnosed with the disease in May.

Ferguson’s wife, Charlene, said they’ve already done some low-key fundraising and are more than halfway to their goal of $11,000.

"This community is amazing. They’ve been so generous," she said.

All of the funds will be forwarded to Myeloma Canada to fund research into the disease, which afflicts an estimated 6,000 Canadians.

She said their four adult children came up with the idea for a fundraiser and thought initially they’d just have a barbecue in the backyard. It’s now grown into a full dinner in a much larger venue.

The guest speaker will be Dr. Ahmed Galal of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.

"There isn’t a lot of awareness of (multiple myeloma)," Charlene Ferguson said.

"This is personal to us. We want to find a cure."

Multiple myeloma constitutes just one per cent of all new cancers, but finding a cure would save thousands of lives, she said.

As for George Ferguson, a retired manager of an asphalt company, he is hoping to be ready for a stem cell transplant before Christmas in the new unit at Royal University Hospital.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that attacks certain types of the body’s white blood cells, which carry antibodies. It’s also known as plasma cell myeloma.