Free Resources for Blood Cancer Patients
Join us as we share opportunities and activities you can take advantage of that are free to patients and caregivers. These are new, innovative, and fun ways to make managing your financial life easier. We can't wait to see you there!
Audrey introduces the agenda of the event and featured speaker Diahanna Vallentine.
Diahanna will briefly share the latest financial updates.
Diahanna and Patrick share opportunities and activities you can take advantage of that are free to patients and caregivers.
Type your questions in the chat and we will answer them!
Audrey Burton-Bethke
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.
Diahanna Vallentine
Diahanna is the Financial Program Manager for the HealthTree Foundation. She specializes in providing financial help, resources and education for multiple myeloma patients. As a professional financial consultant and former caregiver of her husband who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, Diahanna perfectly understands the financial issues facing myeloma patients.
Patrick Kelley
Patrick lives in Murfreesboro, TN behind a horse farm with his wife and two dogs. He has 2 sons who are 24 and 25. He is a lawyer on permanent long term disability, and loves to spend my time volunteering and coaching on Healthtree. He was diagnosed on September 23, 2015 with Multiple Myeloma Stage II IGG Kappa. He underwent 2 rounds of Revlimid, Dexamethasone & Velcade. Then, due to his age (45) and the heavy marrow involvement, he was considered borderline high risk, and switched to Revlimid, Dexamethasone & Kyprolis by a Multiple Myeloma Specialist. He had my first stem cell transplant on March 17, 2016, and his second stem cell transplant on September 12, 2016. He had maintenance chemotherapy regimen of Ninlaro, Revlimid & Dexamethasone, then Pomalyst only. Currently, he is in stringent complete remission and MRD-. He still receives IVIG infusions. He is also a Myeloma Financial Coach, helping others with long term disability, social security disability income and insurance appeals. He has experienced depression and mental health issues. He currently goes to Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson's 3 times a week, as he also has Parkinson's Disease. He is a long standing member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and he attends 7 meetings per week. He tries to stay as active as he can. Volunteering helps him get outside of himself, while helping others.