File photo via www.lasalle.ca File photo via www.lasalle.ca
Windsor

LaSalle man with cancer will walk to help others

Shiva Koushik and his wife have travelled all over the world to help others, and never anticipated one day he would be the one who needed help.

He and his wife Aruna, have visited India and Pakistan to help the Rotary Club's efforts to eradicate polio. Koushik was always an active volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society. One time, he even sky-dived to raise funds.

Volunteering is a large part of his life, but in 2014, Koushik had to take a break.

He had been suffering thigh pain for months. Still, the diagnoses of multiple myeloma took him by surprise.

"Previous to 2014, I was the area captain for residential canvassing for the Canadian Cancer Society," he recalled. "Ironically, I got cancer in 2014."

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow. It can leave bones brittle. Koushik was told his left thigh bone was at risk of breaking away from his hip at any time. The cause is unknown, and there is no cure.

He underwent months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant in London. He still undergoes treatment bimonthly to strengthen his bones.

"My last visit to the oncologist, she said for this kind of cancer they don't use the word remission ever, but 'Shiva, in your case, you are in remission,'" he said. "That was so fantastic to hear."

This Sunday, Koushik will again volunteer to help others in need, this time at the eighth annual Windsor-Essex County Multiple Myeloma March at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex in LaSalle. The event starts at 9 a.m.

The walk will raise awareness of the disease and raise funds for clinical research. The money will also fund a Canadian clinical trial that could reshape how the disease is treated.

Thanks to volunteers, like Koushik, those with the disease are living longer than ever. In the past, life expectancy was only four or five years.

"I've met many people that have been with myeloma for seven years, ten years, 15 years," he said. "There's one lady in our group... she's been there for 17 years with myeloma."

The march will be held in 23 Canadian communities this year. The national fundraising goal is $550,000.

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