Name: Erica Harrison
Age: 33
Hometown: Lauderdale by the Sea, FL

I am participating in the Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma program in honor of my dear friend Erin's dad, Larry Calufetti. We sadly lost Larry to multiple myeloma in February 2016. While Larry may be the only person I know personally who has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, there is, unfortunately, a large number of people I know personally who have been impacted by cancer. It is almost inevitable that all of us have been affected by someone we love in our lives being impacted by the horrible monster we call cancer. As we all know, it is so difficult to stand by on the sidelines simply wishing there was something you could do to help.

I grew up in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area, and moved to Florida about four-and-a-half years ago, knowing no one here. I miss my family up north every day. I can't believe Erin and I have only known each other for the short time I have lived in Florida, because it seems like we have known each other since birth. Erin's dad Larry became part of my family in my new home, when I couldn't be near mine. He would always invite my husband and me to his birthdays and 4th of July parties, and he was a staple at our birthday and holiday parties as well. He always made sure to tell me to take care of his little girl whenever we went on an adventure like Machu Picchu, and I’m sure he will be shouting down from above on this trek in Iceland! He was so very special, and watching the daily support, dedication and sacrifice that Erin put forward to care for her dad was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. She was relentless... just like Larry, which is I why we have continued to be relentless in driving support and participating in these types of events. The goal is progress, and God-willing one day, a cure.

I know how important the MMRF is to Erin, and honestly that is why it has become so important to me. The reason I have done every multiple myeloma event with her is because I know she would do the same for me. That is why I have committed to this Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma trek. While we may not have mountains for practice hikes in Florida, I know Erin and I will find creative ways to train for the intense three-day trek through the glaciers and volcanoes of Iceland. The people we meet and stories shared at each of the MMRF events continue provide sources of motivation and drive me to continue to push to find new treatments and trials for those who still have a chance to fight. We owe it to Larry to fight as hard as he did!