Charlotte Pineda

multiple myeloma coach since 2024

You are unique and so is your myeloma experience. While we have much to learn from each other; ultimately, only you can decide what’s best for you. As a Certified Professional Coach, I see myself as a partner who helps others create clarity and move forward as courageous self-advocates who make the best decisions for themselves. My vision is for each of us living with myeloma to live life to the fullest and on our own terms! In March 2023 I was hit with the news: “You have high-risk smoldering myeloma…It will likely progress to multiple myeloma within two years." Less than a year later, I learned that I had multiple myeloma. I started induction therapy which included Velcade (bortezomib), Darzalex (daratumumab), Revlimid (lenalidomide), and dexamethasone. Due to side effects, dexamethasone was reduced and then eliminated. Gratefully, I'm responding well to treatment at this time. To borrow a popular business term: myeloma means a life filled with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). Early on, I decided not just to survive–but to thrive. I take one day at a time and credit consistent meditation and exercise for helping me through each day. In addition to being a coach, I’m a meditation and breathwork teacher. I get so much satisfaction from helping others incorporate meditation and breathwork into their lives. I don’t attempt to force myself or others to “just be positive.” Instead, I focus on hope and optimism and work hard not to beat myself up for having bad days–and sometimes weeks. It’s all about resilience. As psychologist and TED speaker, Susan David said, “Hope and optimism are different from (false) positivity. They are future-oriented and earned by a willingness to work hard and problem-solve to create a better outcome…Your feelings are valid, important, and worthy of honoring with compassion, but they are not facts or directives that get to boss you around. You can show up to them with compassion, courage, and curiosity, and then make your own choices about how you move forward.” This is where hearing the stories of others on HealthTree Foundation has helped me, and I’m honored to give back and help others as a coach. It’s not easy; but with courage, hope, and optimism, I believe we can thrive! When I’m not coaching, you'll find me spending time with family, playing with my Jack Russell Terrier, meditating, practicing yoga, learning something new, or relaxing with a good book. I look forward to speaking with you!

Larissa Velez-Jackson

multiple myeloma coach since 2025

Hello! I am a 48 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 (Mount Sinai Hospital Myeloma Cancer Center in NYC)and lots of inspiring community that helps me through! I think I inspire a lot of these folks along the way too and so can you:)

Margo Holleran

multiple myeloma coach since 2022

I was diagnosed with MM IgG Kappa on October 12th 2017 after 6 months of numerous sinus and bladder infections. A knowledgable nurse practitioner and radiologist took the time to understand my issues and infections. I followed their advice of a CT scan to rule out kidney stones and acquired additional blood work. My PCP ruled out multiple myeloma, had additional blood work suggested by the radiologist that viewed my scans. I went to see a hematologist-oncologist who suggested a 24 hour urine test and additional MM panel. Bloodwork came back, Mspike of 3.14, I had a bone marrow biopsy on September 29th, 2017. Two weeks later I was diagnosed with IgG Kappa MM. Started RVd right away, went into complete remission, although the Velcade gave me horrible neuropathy. I am being treated at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, second opinion Dana Farber. I still continued to work full time in medical device cardiac surgery sales and finally took off 3 months to become a patient and sought additional treatment for my neuropathy. Took one year off of treatment to give my neuropathy a rest, it came back with a vengeance. I went back on Revlimid and dexamethasone, neuropathy continued to get worse, switched to Pomalyst and Darzalex, went back into complete remission. Currently on maintenance Darzalex every 6 weeks as a monotherapy. COVID vaccines X5 I worked full time for 6 yrs. I was a sales Director for a Vascular & Cardiac Surgery. Now semi-retired except for my advocacy work with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and The International Myeloma Foundation, and HealthTree Foundation. Current Status: MRD negative I am now a Board Certified patient Advocate and have my certification in non profit management. I also have a certification in cannabis horticulture & business. I believe humor is the cure for all that ails. I started an irreverent cancer blog called www.cathychemo.org Please feel free to contact me at margoholleran@gmail.com