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.

Sue LoMonaco

multiple myeloma coach since 2025

I was a caregiver from my husband for two years. He had AML. I went to all of his appointments and looked up many things online just to try to find out more and to be able to ask intuitive questions. Knowledge is powerful and helps us to get through many things once we understand more about a situation.My husband also had diabetes and COPD and we needed to balance that with his treatments. I helped him as an advocate when he needed it, especially with the veterans administration. I would love to help you find the answers you are looking for. I understand the struggle with AML and I’m very happy to be a part of this organization to be able to reach out to you and help you with any of your needs from helping with a new diagnosis, to helping you understand more about the disease and to help you navigate the website to find the answers you’re looking for. Although I do not have AML I was my husband’s support system. I love to exercise, read, go to live theater and concerts, and do wine tasting dinners. I enjoy life.

Carol Malicki

multiple myeloma coach since 2022

I was diagnosed with Plasmacytoma when I broke my neck skim boarding. I had surgery then radiation. The following year it was confirmed I had Multiple Myeloma at which point I started chemo pill treatment. The following year I had a stem cell transplant and did not initially go back on chemo pills. 3 years later my numbers started spiking so I went back on chemo treatment and when my numbers went way down we lowered my dose until I went off it again. Throughout this crazy journey I have made a lot of changes. I’m eating much healthier, removed toxins from my house, started exercising more and with my naturopaths guidance take a number of supplements along with my oncologist’s approval. I never suggest to anyone that they should follow my path. Everyone is unique. I do have hope but I do have to push myself and I do worry every now and then. However, I do feel strongly that a positive attitude and as healthy a life as you can manage can only help.