Lee's Summit, MO - Blood Cancer In-Person Event

Name: Lee's Summit, MO - Blood Cancer In-Person Event
Start: 2026-09-26T10:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-09-26T14:00:00-05:00

This event was not recorded

Sep 26, 2026

10:00AM - 02:00PM CDT In the city timezone

Bridge Space - Event Space

210 SW Market St, Lee's Summit, MO 64063, USA

Overview

Join us for HealthTree Connect to Cures in Lee's Summit, MO, on Saturday, September 26th, at Bridge Spaces and connect with other blood cancer patients, caregivers, and local resources in your community.

This free, in-person event offers a meaningful opportunity to:

Learn From Academic and Community Doctors Through Interactive Panels: Join conversations with local doctors and fellow patients, ask questions, and gain valuable insights.
Connect with Other Blood Cancer Patients and Caregivers: Share your experience and hear from others who understand what you’re going through. You’ll meet people in your community navigating similar diagnoses and challenges. We invite Black patients and loved ones to join us for a special Black community session focused on connection, shared experiences, and culturally relevant support.
Discover Key Resources at the HealthTree Fair: Explore local and essential resources, tools, and support services available to you.
Take Home Personalized Materials to Support Your Journey: Leave with financial guidance, educational handouts, and information about clinical trials—all tailored to help you navigate your care with confidence.

Lunch, parking, and beverages will be provided, and you’ll leave with practical tools—and stronger community connections—to support your care journey.

Please note: This is an in-person event and will not be recorded.

Speakers & Moderators

Valarie Traynham

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.

Dr. Tara Lin

Dr. Tara Lin is a Medical Oncologist with 20 years of experience in clinical research and the care of patients with acute leukemia. Dr. Lin received her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and her MD from the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University. She earned a Master of Science degree in Clinical Research from Tulane University. She completed Internal Medicine residency at the University of Maryland and Medical Oncology Fellowship at Johns Hopkins. She then completed a post-doctoral fellowship at UCLA in the laboratory of Dr. Kathleen Sakamoto with a focus on leukemia stem cells. She joined the faculty at the University of Kansas Cancer Center in 2011 and has served as the Director of the Acute Leukemia Program since 2016. She has been the local PI on more than 50 clinical trials in acute leukemia, including national cooperative group, industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical trials. Accruals for acute leukemia patients to clinical trials average 30-40% of analytic cases the last five years. In addition, she serves as Medical Director the KU Cancer Center Clinical Trials Office since 2017, leading clinical research efforts through successful NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center Designation.

Mary Arnett

Mary joined HealthTree in 2022 as a part of HealthTree's team to help expand into all blood cancers. She now works as HealthTree's Volunteer & Community Outreach Manager, helping to engage and involve community members in HealthTree's mission. When she isn't working, she loves being the fun aunt to her 13 nieces and nephews, attending concerts, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and traveling to explore new cities.