Audrey joined the HealthTree Foundation as the Myeloma Community Program Director in 2020. While not knowing much about myeloma at the start, she has since worked hard to educate herself, empathize and learn from others' experiences. She loves this job. Audrey is passionate about serving others, loves learning, and enjoys a nice mug of hot chocolate no matter the weather.

I was diagnosed in 2012 after I fell at my son's college graduation and broke my arm, which had a plasmacytoma in it. After radiation and induction therapy I had a stem cell transplant in 2013. Subsequently I was on various combinations of Revlimid, Elotuzumab, Daratumumab, Pomalyst, Kyprolis, and dexamethasone. I tried a clinical trial that was not successful for me and then had another SCT in 2020. I now feel very good and am on Pomalyst/dexamethasone maintenance. I worked for 22 years in pharmaceutical research and was involved in the development of Sarclisa, which was personally very satisfying. I retired in January 2021. My wife is happy to have me doing things around the house and showing less stress. She has been a rock of support during this whole process, and my two sons are also very supportive. My quality of life is very good, and I have been enjoying getting back on the golf course now that I have time to play. I am also informally mentoring two friends who have smoldering myeloma.

I am a retired supply chain professional with expertise in the areas of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Systems, Department of Energy Nuclear Materials Facilities and Major Healthcare Systems. I hold a BA from the University of Pittsburgh and an MS from Elmira College. I have 5 adult children and 4 grandchildren. In December of 2019, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Since undergoing a Stem Cell Transplant in February of 2021, I have been in total remission. In addition to the fine staffs at Tennessee Oncology and Sarah Cannon Cancer Research Center, I owe my life to my Caregiver, my wife of 34 years, Pat.

On April 13, 2020, I received my official Multiple Myeloma diagnosis following routine bloodwork. I had just turned 41. While the diagnosis seemed to have come from nowhere, in retrospect I had been feeling "off" for some time. I had attributed most of that caring for my father, who was fighting glioblastoma, along with the stresses of the pandemic and everyday life as a mother of a young child. I had IGG Kappa myeloma and was fortunately diagnosed at Stage 1. I had hypercalcemia, was slightly anemic and had some kidney damage. I had a stem cell transplant in August and am currently in VGPR.