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.

Sikander Ailawadhi, MD, is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Mayo Clinic Florida located in Jacksonville, Florida. He is also the Lead for the International Cancer Center. Dr Ailawadhi's career focus includes the treatment of plasma cell disorders, multiple myeloma (MM), Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). His research focuses on understanding the epidemiology and pathophysiology of these disorders; evaluating the benefit of various therapeutic strategies in different populations based on racial-ethnic and socioeconomic diversity; and developing novel therapeutics by means of conducting several regional and national clinical trials, such as clinical trials for novel drugs. Dr Ailawadhi has a special interest in understanding the disparities in care of cancer patients and their outcomes with a special focus on patients from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.