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.

Craig Emmitt Cole, M.D. is a board-certified Hematologist who received his Bachelor of Science degree in physiology at Michigan State University and the College of Lyman Briggs, in East Lansing Michigan. Dr. Cole went on to receive his doctoral degree at the Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus, Ohio. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency and Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at the University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Cole subsequently had a post-fellowship laboratory research position at the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center of Medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. This opportunity then led to him becoming an attending hematologist at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin for 9 years. There he was an instructor for both the medical and nursing schools of the western campus of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He also served as Affiliate Faculty Member of Graduate Community Health Programs and Assistant Professor (Adjunct) at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Department of Health Professions. While in Wisconsin, his clinical research interest was in multiple myeloma, malignant hematology, clinical apheresis, and patient reported outcomes in hematology. He then returned to the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology with his primary clinical and research interest being in multiple myeloma. In May of 2019, he returned to Michigan State University College of Human Medicine at Breslin Cancer Center as the Director of Clinical Research in Hematology/ Oncology and Multiple Myeloma. Dr. Cole has been participated in over 50 clinical trials in Multiple Myeloma and Malignant Hematology. He is a member of the International Myeloma Working Group, International Myeloma Society and the American Society of Hematology; he has published in national journals and presented at the American Society of Hematology International Myeloma Workshop, and the American Society for Apheresis meetings. He has lectured across the United States to patients, researchers and clinical providers in multiple myeloma, plasma cell dyscrasias, and disparities in cancer care. He has won awards for his work in student and resident teaching, multiple myeloma research, and patient advocacy. Dr. Cole has always had a strong commitment to equity of cancer care, patient empowerment, and community education by working with several local and national patient advocacy associations to bring the good news of myeloma research to everyone.