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.

Dr. Hartley-Brown is an emerging leader in the field of Multiple Myeloma. She is an Associate Physician at Harvard Medical School and Assistant Professor & Medical Oncologist who specializes in treating patients with multiple myeloma. She practices clinical care at the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer that affects Black Americans approximately twice more than Caucasians. Dr. Hartley-Brown has written several publications and has been a clinical research investigator for numerous clinical studies that has contributed to the advancement of clinical care for patients with multiple myeloma and plasma cell dyscrasias. As a Black female physician, she is dedicated to ensuring that the care for the myeloma community is equitable and affords all patients with myeloma an optimal level of care regardless of background, race or socioeconomic status.