September 6 marks the start of the Rally for Health. Patients once again show that the impossible does not exist

Just a few years ago, it would have been hard to imagine myeloma patients participating in a bicycle rally, meanwhile, on September 6, 2025, the 5th Rally for Health is already taking off in Poznan's Malta. This year it will have a particularly large scope. -This year'sRally is twice the scale of previous ones, we already have almost 700 participants signed up. Most are patients and their families, but there are also people who support them in the treatment process: doctors, representatives of other medical professions, pharmaceutical companies, the payer. There will also be residents of Poznań, who are integrating more and more strongly with us. We are breaking down the barriers of thinking that a hematology patient is a patient excluded from normal life. We are showing that despite the disease, it is possible to live according to our slogan: "Impossible does not exist." - emphasizes Lukasz Rokicki.

Participants in this year's bicycle rally will have two routes to choose from: a shorter one, 5 km around Lake Malta, and a longer one, 20 km, which goes through Poznań. The route was laid out together with Lukasz Rokicki by Grzegorz Rakowiecki, who, despite having myeloma, covers hundreds of kilometers by bicycle every year and was one of the originators of the Rally from the beginning. - The idea was born in 2018, when I came from Bory Tucholskie to Poznan for the administration of chemotherapy by bicycle. In the corridor I met Łukasz. So from word to word and the decision was made to ride myeloma," says Grzegorz Rakowiecki.

- Today we want to show that with the right therapies, many patients are able to return to a normal life and even do things they didn't do before the disease. They are ready to take on challenges, not just cycling, but the most important ones: fighting for life and health," Lukasz Rokicki points out.

Rally that shows you can live with the disease

Every year, Professor Dominik Dytleld, president of the Polish Myeloma Consortium, also an avid cyclist, participates in the Rally for Health. - I look forward to this day all year, it's a real holiday. The idea of the rally was born to show that, despite the disease, you can participate in normal life, just like healthy people. Cycling is an activity that requires fitness and fitness. We want to show new patients, the public, but also the payer that good myeloma treatment makes sense, because then the patient not only has a chance for a long life, but also for normal functioning," Prof. Dytfeld points out.

The rally consolidates the community of patients, their families, loved ones and all those who support the patient in the treatment process. - I remember once, after riding the route, one of the patients, who was not in the best condition, said to me: "Doctor, look, I made it through! I made it!". This shows how much mental strength patients get this way. Along with them usually come family, friends, wanting to show support. It also happens that the family of a patient who has already passed away arrives, but they still feel part of the myeloma community. We are all together, we talk. Barriers disappear; everyone who is here supports each other and creates a community. You can see how the patients are so consolidated that they are able to organize a meeting at such a high level," stresses Prof. Dytfeld.

Increasingly better treatment options

The bicycle rally, in which patients participate, also shows that it is worth spending public money on treatment, as it is actually very effective.

- Just 5 years ago, access to myeloma drugs in Poland was not the best, today I can say: it is good. I would rate the treatment at 4 with a plus. Recently, three dual-specific antibodies appeared in reimbursement in Poland . What we lack today is CAR-T therapy, which is very important, and belantamab, recently registered in Europe in two indications, as well as the combination of darabumumab with carfilzomib and deskamethasone. There are still patients for whom there is a lack of therapy, but really the treatment looks good," Prof. Dytfeld points out. This is confirmed by Lukasz Rokicki: - Treatment has improved a lot lately, but there are new treatments, we are very much waiting for them, because each new therapy, each new regimen is an opportunity. Right now we are very much looking forward to CAR-T therapy, but also to other therapies and regimens that are emerging. I hope that in a few years we will be talking about the possibility of a cure for myeloma," adds Lukasz Rokicki.

Special goal of the 5th Rally and preventive examinations

The special goal of this year's rally is to support the treatment of Anna Leoniuk, who has been suffering from myeloma for more than 10 years, has been a volunteer with the Carita Foundation for many years, and has organized the Rally for Health for many years. She has undergone many types of therapy, including bispecific antibodies, but unfortunately the myeloma has recently relapsed once again. The only chance for her is CAR-T therapy.

- We are trying to travel as many kilometers as possible to be able to raise money and support Anya: hopefully, this will allow her to have CAR-T therapy administered, which is not yet reimbursed in Poland, " Lukasz Rokicki points out.

The organizers will provide a warm-up with a trainer before the start, and a longer rest is planned for the middle of the longer one. Everyone who comes to Poznan's Malta will also be able to do a lot for their health: in addition to cycling the route, there will be a Health Zone and free preventive examinations. Among others, there will be a Dermobus, where you can get skin examinations and dermatological advice; an Osteobus, where you can get tests for osteopotosis. There will also be opportunities for mammograms, checking blood pressure, glucose levels, body composition, lung function, and learning breast self-examination, among others. There will also be hematology and pulmonology consultations, first aid training, attractions for children, and the opportunity to sign up in the database of potential bone marrow donors. At the NFZ stand, it will be possible to make an EHIC card. - We want to build awareness that prevention is very important, show that it's worth getting tested. Last year we detected suspected melanoma, there were also abnormal cytology results. Perhaps through our examinations we will save someone's life. We encourage people to get tested, and every participant who registers for the Rally and gets tested at a minimum of six points in our Health Zone will be eligible for a bicycle drawing. That's why our Rally is a true Rally for Health," notes Lukasz Rokicki.

As every year, the Rally is supported by ambassadors, among whom this year were Czeslaw Lang, Wojciech Fibak, Mariola Bojarska-Ferenc. - It's great that such initiatives exist. My heart is with you and I will try to arrange my calendar in such a way as to be at Malta on September 6," announces Wojciech Fibak. Malgorzata Sobanska, an Olympian from Athens and Atlanta, will also participate in the Rally. - I was happy to become an ambassador of the Rally. Today I train amateur runners, I see how many people physical activity helps them overcome problems. It has a very good effect on the psyche, helps in recovery, and is very important for all those who are struggling with a serious illness. It's very important not to lock yourself up at home, but to go out to others. Physical activity teaches perseverance, which is very important when you are ill. I'm also happy to learn a lot myself from people who are struggling with the disease, how they cope. It's good that we can support each other," points out Malgorzata Sobanska.

- We are happy that we have so many Ambassadors, that so many people support us. Our rally is going worldwide, more and more people are joining us," adds Lukasz Rokicki.

This year, applications for the Rally are possible until September 6. - We are open until the last minute. Even if someone hasn't signed up yet, they can come on the day of the event and join us. I don't know if there will be enough starting shirts and bikes for everyone, but everyone is invited. It's not just a Rally - it's a real celebration of prevention and healthy lifestyles! - emphasizes Lukasz Rokicki.

For more information about the Rally: https://rajdpozdrowie.org

Medexpress.pl is a media patron of the event.