Powegian Named Honored Hero for 2013 'Light The Night Walk'

Richard, diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 1998, will be honored at the 15th annual two-mile walk that brings together thousands of individuals to raise funds for blood cancer research and patient services.

“This will be the third year my family has participated in the Walk. My wife and I have encouraged our son to make this event his own,” said Inderwick. “He is our official team captain, and has declared that he wants the largest team at the event. He has given a presentation to his class about the event and wrote a letter that went home to all of the families in his class.  At the age of seven, he knows how important it is to raise awareness and money for blood cancer research.”

In January 1998, Richard was 27-years-old and doctors broke the news that he was the youngest recorded case of Multiple Myeloma and would be lucky to live another five years. He immediately started chemotherapy, radiation therapy and five months later, received a bone marrow transplant. In September 1998, he was strong enough to resume a normal life and go back to work. In 2002, Richard moved from Canada to San Diego, met his wife, Erica, and got married. While life was going great, a year later he fractured his back and learned that he had fallen out of remission. As a result, he received a stem cell transplant and experienced some major side effects. In 2005, his son, Landon, was born. Five years later, Richard fell out of remission for a third time. The doctors briefly put him on steroids and also prescribed Revlimid.

Now, 14 years later, Richard is in “partial remission” and still on medication. While the doctors are pleased that his blood counts are “normal” while on the medication, they do not know how long this treatment plan will work.  They are waiting for the next advancement in blood cancer research to put him into a full remission.

In November, walkers will join together in twilight holding illuminated balloons – white for survivors, red for supporters and gold to remember those lost to cancer. In addition to the Walk, the evening’s festivities will include music, food and family activities.

“We chose Richard as one of the 2013 Light The Night Honored Heroes because he has overcome so much, yet he’s still fighting the fight. We want people like Richard, continually relying on funds and research in order to make a full recovery, to know that we haven’t forgotten them and we’re in this together,” said Joanna Winsborough, Senior Campaign Manager for the Light The Night Walk in San Diego. “Richard has raised more than $11,000 for LLS and we’re looking forward to seeing his team’s success this year!”  

Individuals can donate to Richard's fundraising goal or sign up to join Team Indy. For more information on this year’s event, visit www.lightthenight.org/sd/. 

—Taken from a Stalwart Communications press release