Jessie Daw

multiple myeloma coach since 2020

I was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma in late 2016, after a few years of having increasing severe respiratory infections every 2-3 months. I live in South Dakota, and see a local onc/hem doctor quarterly, with one of those quarterly visits replaced by a trip to Mayo Rochester to see a specialist. I considered some clinical trials early on in my diagnosis, but haven't entered one. My numbers have remained pretty stable since diagnosis. Recently, I went through full work-up for amyloidosis, and that was negative :-). I changed some things in my life in the year after diagnosis, including leaving my job and focusing on quality of life issues. In that respect, this diagnosis has been a blessing. Of course, I'd rather not have the diagnosis, but it spurred some changes that I don't think I would have made otherwise, and I feel like my life is richer because of those changes. I have become involved in patient advocacy, as I started South Dakota's first myeloma support group. I also have participated in an MMRF Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma event, and I really enjoy serving as a Myeloma Coach. I value the time I get to connect with others who have myeloma. We all have our challenges, and connecting with others around those challenges, as well as the good things in our lives, is really meaningful.

Todd Cook

multiple myeloma coach since 2025

I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in Apr. 2023 and had a stem cell transplant in Sept. 2023. I am on Lenalidomide 10 Mg maintenance medication. Born in 1956. I am a pastor of a Baptist Church and was a hospice chaplain for over five years and crisis counselor for 13 years.

Larissa Velez-Jackson

multiple myeloma coach since 2025

Hello! I am a 49 years old and was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma at 42 yrs of age. I have always been very health conscious as I teach Pilates, yoga, and am a performing artist and choreographer. My journey started with one singular spinal lesion after a few months of pain and physical therapy, and full on MM was diagnosed shortly afterward. Being young, my disease moves pretty fast and aggressively, though I've responded very well to all the different lines of treatment. I had a stem cell transplant in 2019, my second SCT in 2023, followed shortly by Carvikti Car T therapy. In 2025, just recently, I had a GPRC Car T Cell therapy through a clinical trial. I have had four different rounds of radiation throughout my treatment journey as well. I have a lot of experience with rehabbing from my spinal and other bone injuries and perform much of my exercise regime at home. I just had a total shoulder replacement surgery---my first ever surgery---and am really moved to be restoring my arm movement back after MM damaged my right arm and shoulder three years ago. While the journey can be rough, I am overall so thankful to have a great family, incredible medical team (first Mount Sinai Hospital Myeloma Cancer Center in NYC and now Memorial Sloan Kettering)and lots of inspiring community that helps me through! I enjoy being a HealthTree coach starting this year. I like to inspire folks to keep positive and moving gracefully into the unknown, as we all are doing on our cancer journeys.