My name is Mike Gardiner and I live in Pasadena, California. I am hiking for my mom, Theresa Gardiner, who was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma four years ago. She has undergone a complete spinal surgery, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, a stem cell transplant, and continues maintenance chemotherapy to fight this cancer. She is the strongest person I know and she inspires me every day. My mom brings so much joy to everyone around her and truly embodies living life to the fullest and not taking a moment for granted.

I would love to bring more awareness to this cancer and want to be more a part of the multiple myeloma community. I love the outdoors and think this would be a very challenging and rewarding opportunity to raise funds for more research. My mom’s care is through Keck Medicine of USC Cancer in Pasadena and Downtown Los Angeles, CA. Her doctors and nurses have been beyond exceptional in helping to fight this cancer.

I have really connected to your organization because you included patients, family members, doctors and all those affected by this cancer on this hike. It means a lot to bring in the full community to show support and resilience to fight this.