From Diagnosis to Determination: A Cyclist's Journey with Myeloma

Jered Haddad, a former competitive cyclist and active athlete, was used to pushing his body to its limits. But in 2021, a new challenge emerged that would test his resilience in ways he never imagined. After experiencing persistent pain and a series of misdiagnoses, Jered was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Now, he’s channeling his lifelong passion for cycling into a powerful mission: participating in the International Myeloma Foundation's (IMF) Iceland Cycling Expedition to raise funds and awareness for the disease.

An Unexpected Diagnosis

Haddad’s journey began with a setback. "I was diagnosed in 2021 at the time," he recalls. "I was a pretty active athlete, racing mountain bikes, going to the gym... I didn’t realize that I had the disease when it came time to go see my doctors at the time." He initially thought his symptoms were related to a hard crash he had during a mountain bike race. When the pain persisted, he sought medical advice, leading to a shocking discovery. An X-ray revealed a tumor in his lower back, which was later identified as multiple myeloma.

His diagnosis was a "wake-up call," as he had never heard of the disease before. Haddad immediately dedicated himself to learning everything he could. "I was a made a leap of faith in like every cancer patient and trying to determine the course of action for going through treatments then hoping to make the right decisions," he explains. He found comfort and guidance in his wife and entered a clinical trial for ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel; Carvykti).

The Road to Recovery and a New Purpose

Haddad’s treatment journey has been a testament to his strength and determination.

“One of the big takeaways from my experience, is, first and foremost, [cilta-cel] did work for me. I have been extremely pleased with the outcome and how quickly I bounced back to normal quality of life,” Haddad notes. “But since then, [cilta-cel] has been knocked up from a fourth line of treatment to a second line of treatment, and others are getting access to it. So, it's been a win-win all the way around.”

The IMF expedition to Iceland provided a powerful outlet for his motivation. "To tell my story, I think ultimately, is one of the biggest avenues that I have embraced through all of this," he says. The opportunity to join the expedition was a direct result of his proactive approach to sharing his experience and connecting with others in the myeloma community.

The Iceland Cycling Expedition

Haddad’s participation is part of the second annual Iceland Cycling Expedition, a 6-day/7-night endurance fundraiser for the IMF. The event, which first took place in August 2024, brought together a determined team of individuals, including myeloma survivors, caregivers, and physicians. The mission of the expedition is to raise critical funds for the IMF's groundbreaking research initiatives, including the iStopMM Project, the world's largest population-based cancer screening study for multiple myeloma.

"To be alongside another patient—or caregiver for that matter—is pretty insightful, and the perspective you gain from that, it's really a big takeaway, and it really affects me and shapes me with how I'm going to continue to live my life right now," Haddad says.

Haddad also notes that "having access to [researchers and clinicians] has been phenomenal. I feel like I'm walking with giants." Cycling alongside researchers and clinicians gives survivors like Haddad "the ability to interact with them and hear about some of these cutting-edge treatments that are coming down."

On the expedition, the cyclists face the challenging terrain of Iceland's High Mountains, a journey that serves as a powerful metaphor for the unpredictable nature of cancer. As Haddad prepares to embark on this adventure, he's not just riding for himself. He's riding to inspire hope, raise awareness, and contribute to the vital work of the IMF, pushing forward in the fight for a cure.

REFERENCE:

The International Myeloma Foundation Announces 2nd Annual Iceland Cycling Expedition, to be Held from August 27 – September 2. News release. International Myeloma Foundation. March 13, 2025. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/mrafts2f