Fitness and Motivation for the Blood Cancer Community

Audrey joined the HealthTree Foundation as a Community Manager in 2020 after previously working in the nonprofit field for 4 years as a director of Fundraising and Development. She graduated from BYU with a major in Spanish and Nonprofit Management. Audrey is passionate about serving others, loves learning, and enjoys a nice mug of hot chocolate no matter the weather.

I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015. After decades as an athlete of questionable ability, cancer changed my perspective and I focused on quality-of-life solutions. After a bone marrow transplant, I focused on distance running, cycling and swimming once again. I discovered a coping mechanism and a way to combat pain, fatigue, and treatment side-effects through purposeful movement and (mostly) focused nutrition. In 2018 I ran across the state of North Carolina on the Mountains to Sea trail. I ran 1,175 miles in 54 days averaging 22 miles a day while undergoing maintenance chemotherapy. Today, I am still fighting cancer with daily chemotherapy and still training for ultramarathons and epic adventures. I am the Executive Director for Throwing Bones (throwing-bones.org), whose mission is to encourage all blood cancer patients to stay healthy and active through treatment. I was educated at the University of Georgia (AB) and the University of Denver (JD). I am married and have three children, ages 19, 15, and 6. They drive me crazy and make every day better. I advocate for all individuals living with blood cancers, and want to encourage them all to keep moving forward. Every day is another opportunity to take a step. Being active is one of the ways to stay ahead of life and to enjoy it more.