Taking Charge After a Blood Cancer Diagnosis: What Every Patient Needs to Know

Cynthia is a newborn ICU nurse by trade that has spent the last six years in the medical device industry educating nurses and doctors about devices that are new to their facility. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, traveling the world with her family, and creating Halloween animatronics for her annual front yard display. She has a passion for life-long learning and enjoys sharing what she learns with the people around her.

Cassandra McDonald is a Law & Policy Analyst and Civil Rights Leader. She made history as the first African-American female to establish an NAACP branch in Cuyahoga County, and becoming the Founding President of the Euclid NAACP in Euclid, Ohio. Likewise, she has advocated and written legislation against racial inequality and discrimination. Besides her advocacy in civil rights, she is also a fierce advocate for advancements in early detection screening for Multiple Myeloma; including being a member of Cleveland Clinics Multiple Myeloma Consortium. She Chairs the Ohio State Bar Association Criminal Justice Committee, and a member of several civil rights, social justice, and humanitarian organizations. As an Analyst, she has appeared on television programs BET Live, BET with Roland Martin, HBO Vice, and Refinery29. She’s a regular featured commentator on the “Judge Joe Brown Radio Show.” Most recently, she is leading, “The Nations M.E.M.O.,” in Washington, DC to raise the voice and bring attention to our Missing, Exploited, Murdered, and Others. Her commitment to civil/human rights and social justice expands nationally.

Jason Mook is a 47 year-old Southern Oregon resident who lives with his wife (20 years in November 2025) and two boys aged 10 and 8. When not navigating his cancer journey, Jason enjoys camping with his family, hiking and golfing, and works as an Executive Pastor. He is passionate about his faith and his family and finds strength in his close relationships. In November 2024, Jason was diagnosed with CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) at age 46. Since his diagnosis, he has become a passionate advocate for blood cancer awareness and the mission of HealthTree Foundation, sharing his story to help others understand the realities of living with CLL and bring hope to those that are struggling. Through his journey with CLL and "watch and wait" status, Jason has learned the importance of annual physicals and blood work, regular exercise, a balanced and nutritious diet, and close relationships to enjoy a life that thrives in the midst of fighting cancer. He is committed to using his voice to bring comfort to those that have been touched by cancer, and believes that sharing our stories can make a difference for patients and families facing similar challenges.

After a 40-year career as a Registered Dietitian (RD), Robyn Osborn retired in May 2023. Her career began in Public Health Nutrition, where she spent 10 years working at both the local and state levels in Indiana. She later returned to graduate school, earning a PhD in Educational Psychology in 2003. With her doctorate, she taught undergraduate and graduate-level psychology courses before transitioning back to nutrition and dietetics, once again teaching at both levels. In 2012, Robyn relocated from Indianapolis to San Diego to be closer to her son and his family, accepting the role of Dietetic Internship Director at the VA Medical Center. During her tenure, she trained and graduated 12 classes of newly minted Registered Dietitians. She retired from the VA Medical Center in 2023. Robyn grew up in Cincinnati, OH. In 1985, she remarried and moved to Indiana, where she lived until her move to San Diego in 2012. She has one grown son and two grandchildren—a 19-year-old grandson and a 17-year-old granddaughter. After three previous cancer diagnoses, Robyn was shocked to be diagnosed with MGUS in January 2020 following routine blood work ordered by her primary care physician. She considered herself fortunate to be referred to and closely monitored by a multiple myeloma specialist. In August 2023, she was diagnosed with Smoldering Multiple Myeloma, and just a few months later, in May 2024, she was diagnosed with active multiple myeloma. At that time, her only symptoms were shortness of breath and anemia—fortunately, there was no bone or kidney involvement. Robyn began induction therapy with DRVd in June 2024, continuing through mid-November. Her myeloma specialist did not recommend a stem cell transplant, instead placing her on monthly maintenance with Darzalex Faspro in December 2024. The plan is to continue monthly Darzalex as long as it remains effective, with CAR-T therapy recommended as the next step when needed.