Valarie embarked on her myeloma journey back in 2015, and ever since she's been on a mission. As a resilient myeloma thriver, her passion lies in not just navigating her own path but also in illuminating the journey for others. With a steadfast commitment to understanding the intricacies of the disease, she champions education, shedding light on health inequities that often lurk in the shadows. Driven by a profound belief in fairness, Valarie tirelessly advocates for equitable access to top-tier healthcare, clinical trials, and tailored treatments. Her journey as a beacon of knowledge and support began when she assumed the role of a support group leader. Today, she continues to extend her hand as a myeloma coach, mentor angel, and the guiding force behind the Black Myeloma Health Community. Valarie's voice echoes far and wide as she fearlessly confronts the disparities faced by myeloma patients. Through collaborative efforts with healthcare providers, she strives to forge pathways to solutions, ensuring that every individual receives the care they deserve. Join Valarie on her journey of empowerment and advocacy as she lights the way toward a brighter, more equitable future in myeloma care.

Althera M. Steenes is widely recognized for her community outreach and education efforts in nutrition, physical activity, and chronic disease prevention—with a specialized focus on obesity, diabetes, and mental health. She currently serves as a Behavioral Health Counseling Therapist at TCA Health, Inc., a multidisciplinary Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing clinical and ambulatory services to the Altgeld Gardens and South Suburban communities of Chicago, Illinois. Althera holds a Master's of Education in Mental Health Counseling from Purdue University in Hammond, Indiana. Althera is also a proud member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, where she serves on the Immabasi Health & Wellness Ministry. She is a member of the Chi Sigma Iota – Psi Upsilon Chi Chapter at Purdue University Northwest and is a board member of ONYX Health Collective of Chicago, Illinois. Althera remains actively involved with her high school alma mater through the Simeon Career Academy Alumni Association in Chicago, Illinois. Driven by a vision to merge holistic health education with compassionate mental health counseling, Althera is committed to empowering individuals and families with the tools and knowledge needed to embrace healthy living while reducing the burden of diabetes distress and mental illness. Her personal and professional tagline is: “Living Healthy & Activity-Focused.”