The Division of Cellular Therapy at Duke University Medical Center will host its first "Duke Multiple Myeloma Bike Ride" from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The event will include two bike routes starting at the Wallace Wade Stadium and touring rural Durham and Orange Counties.

Multiple myeloma is the second most common cancer of the blood and about 60,000 new patients are diagnosed every year in the U.S.

"We want to raise awareness about multiple myeloma and continue to expand our research," said Cristina Gasparetto, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Cellular Therapy at Duke University Medical Center.

Scott Blum was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at age 49 with two teenagers and a wife depending on him. "It was really scary," he said. "I remember the fist thing I read said there was not a cure."

After participating in a clinical trial, Blum received a successful stem cell transplant. Blum, now 51, is looking forward to volunteering at the event.

Blum still believes that researchers can find a cure, which makes events like this one so important to him.

"I'm a living example that what they're doing is helping," Blum said. "Everything that is being done now is for my future."

Blum said he wanted to participate in the event to help give back. "Going through cancer treatment, there is not much you can do but say thank you to those caring for you. This event is really going to help me be a part of giving back."

Donations raised at the event will support multiple myeloma research at Duke University Medical Center.

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