Moving Through Cancer

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Kathryn Schmitz is a Distinguished Professor of Hematology/Oncology at University of Pittsburgh. She has published over 350 scientific peer reviewed articles, including many in top tier journals such as JAMA, New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and others. Dr. Schmitz has led a dozen or more exercise intervention trials in cancer populations, including the WISER Survivor Trial, the PAL trial, the ENACT trial, among others. Dr. Schmitz served as president of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) from 2017-2018 and during that time, worked tirelessly to advance the cause of exercise oncology, including co-chairing the 2nd ACSM roundtable on Exercise and Cancer Prevention and Control and starting the Moving Through Cancer Initiative under the auspices of the Exercise is Medicine program of ACSM. Dr. Schmitz’ professional mission is for all people living with and beyond cancer to be connected to appropriate exercise training from diagnosis through survivorship. This website and the accompanying book are dedicated to that mission and the patients and survivors served by this mission.