Stamford Woman To Hike Through Lava Fields In Iceland For A Cause

STAMFORD, CT — After running six marathons for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Megan Newhouse, 33, of Stamford is about take her fundraising efforts in an unexpected direction. Next month, she will be part of a 14-person team that will embark on a daring hike over lava fields and volcanoes in Iceland.

The "Fire + Ice Trek" is part of the Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma program. The event, which will take place Aug. 7-11, is a joint initiative between the MMRF, CURE Media Group and GSK. The money the group raises through the trip will go directly toward cancer research.

Newhouse said she is taking this journey in honor of her mother, who passed away from Multiple Myeloma in 2010.

"My mom never missed an opportunity to help someone else in need, and I feel like doing this gives me a way to take really direct action to help other patients who are fighting the disease," Newhouse said to Patch. "Sometimes when you're a family member of someone who is sick, you feel a little powerless; like there's nothing you can do to help them. This was something that I can do."

Newhouse and her group will travel from Reykjavik to Thorsmork, then to summit Valanukur and to Skogaa River, finally making their way to the Skogarfoss Waterfall.

Though Newhouse has been fundraising for the foundation for 10 years, she admits the upcoming long trek, her first outside of the United States, is a bit outside her comfort zone. To prepare, she has been going on practice hikes, including a large one with her group in North Carolina last month.

Newhouse said she enjoyed meeting members of the group during the practice hike, most of whom she was meeting for the first time.

"When you're running, it's sort of a singular activity," Newhouse said, "but on the hike we'll literally be in it together, so it will be nice to build some friendships there."

A group called Adventure Fundraising will provide three guides for the trip, which Newhouse said would not be possible without the sponsorship of GSK and the CURE Media Group.

"I think it's wonderful that two patient-focused organizations allow us to have this amazing opportunity to fundraise for a cure," Newhouse said.

Newhouse said the group had a requirement to raise at least $7,500 each, and some had already surpassed that. She was able to raise money for the organization mainly through word-of-mouth.

"[Multiple Myeloma] is pretty rare," Newhouse said, "so I think when people hear about it and that there's a personal connection for you, they're very generous."

Anyone who wishes to donate to Newhouse's cause can do so at her fundraising page. In addition to raising money for research, Newhouse is also hoping the experience is uplifting for everyone participating.

"It's really hard when you lose someone close to you, and everyone is coming at it from different angles on this trip," Newhouse said. "There's some real magic in building up friendships in that community and realizing you're not alone in what you're fighting. I'd like to leave with that same feeling and hopefully give that to other people. That would be really amazing."