SoCal Myeloma Community: Practical Considerations for Living Well with Myeloma from Experts at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

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.

Diane has been an active and engaged care partner with Todd, her husband, since he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2017. In January 2020 they retired to devote their time and talents as patient advocates, HealthTree coaches, and myeloma community leaders. They are committed to helping improve and advance cancer care for all patients and feel a collaborative, virtual support group is an excellent way to help educate and empower patients and their families. Diane and Todd have lived in Orange County, CA for over 25 years where they raised their two sons.

Todd Kennedy was diagnosed with myeloma in 2017 and has become a tireless advocate for myeloma patients and research. His background includes over 30 years working in the pharmaceutical industry until he and his wife Diane retired from their respective first careers to devote their time and talents to strengthen the myeloma community. They collaborate with HealthTree and other trusted partners to educate and empower myeloma patients and caregivers and accelerate the arrival of cures.

L.J. Amaral, M.S., R.D., CSO, is a registered dietitian who is board certified in oncology nutrition. Amaral attended the University of Connecticut where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science. She then went on to get her Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from NYU while completing her dietetic residency to become a registered dietitian at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. She is currently located in the outpatient cancer center at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, CA as a Clinical Research Dietitian. Amaral specializes in cancer nutrition for cancer prevention, during treatment, for survivorship, in therapeutic Ketogenic diets and in oncology nutrition research.

He is a board-certified Nurse Practioner at Cedars-Sinai Medica Center, Los Angeles, CA, serving in the hematology department.