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.

Ghaith Abu-Zeinah, MD, is an Assistant Professor in Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and an Assistant Attending Physician at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Abu-Zeinah earned his M.D. with academic distinction from the Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar in 2013. He completed his residency training in Internal Medicine (2016) and fellowship training in Hematology/Oncology (2019) at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. Dr. Abu-Zeinah is a Hematologist and Oncologist with a specialty practice in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN). His laboratory and clinical research is focused on identifying and developing therapies that target the malignant stem cells in patients with MPN. He received several awards for his work and presented at national conferences including the International Congress on Myeloproliferative Neoplasms and the American Society of Hematology. He has joined the Richard T Silver MPN Center as a physician-scientist, both treating patients and conducting research.