Nutley Man Will Journey To Alaska To Raise Cancer Awareness

NUTLEY, NJ — A Nutley resident is getting ready to traverse Alaska, crossing over glaciers, deep valleys and challenging peaks to raise awareness about multiple myeloma.

On Aug. 16, Michael Mankowich and 11 other adventurers will embark on a six-day trek on the Kenai Peninsula. Beginning in Homer, the stretch of landscape is known as “The End of the Road.”

But for Mankowich, who has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell, it’s part of a new beginning.

During the journey, the Nutley resident hopes to inspire others living with the incurable disease to live their life to the fullest – despite the challenges. Learn how to support his fundraising effort here.

The climb is a joint initiative between the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and CURE Media Group, which released the following background information about Mankowich’s coming sojourn:

“Four years ago, in February 2017, Michael was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. In the year prior to his diagnosis, he committed himself to getting back in shape. After years of losing weight for wrestling, his body had struck back in an almost violent manner, by packing on an additional 40 unnecessary, unwanted pounds. After attending close to a year of local ‘boot camp’ classes at 5:30 a.m. each morning, he felt as though he was almost where he needed to be. He dropped close to 30 pounds and was feeling great, until he started to get some pesky back problems which he attributed to past wrestling injuries. It was not until he went to a spinal cord specialist, who ordered a detailed MRI scan, that they were able to figure out the problem. Michael had the doctor email the MRI report to him and as he read through the report, he found that the tests concluded that he was suffering from either multiple myeloma or metastatic disease.”

Spokespeople continued:

“The road’s been a bit rough, but not incredibly so. What’s helped make the whole thing palpable is the support he receives at home from his wonderful wife, Kathleen, and his daughter, Mary. Michael has never been one to shy away from challenge, in fact, he welcomes it! He plans to treat this as if it is another match, another challenge, likely the most difficult he will face during this lifetime, but another match, nonetheless. The MM4MM trip to Alaska also presents another challenge. The trip will allow Michael to put forth effort to help others who are also suffering from this insidious disease, people who may not be faring as well as he is. Michael believes that we are all part of a team and need to be looking out for one another.”

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