SouthEast Myeloma Community: Fitness and Motivation

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 with multiple myeloma in 2015. After decades as an athlete of questionable ability, cancer changed my perspective and I focused on quality-of-life solutions. After a bone marrow transplant, I focused on distance running, cycling and swimming once again. I discovered a coping mechanism and a way to combat pain, fatigue, and treatment side-effects through purposeful movement and (mostly) focused nutrition. In 2018 I ran across the state of North Carolina on the Mountains to Sea trail. I ran 1,175 miles in 54 days averaging 22 miles a day while undergoing maintenance chemotherapy. Today, I am still fighting cancer with daily chemotherapy and still training for ultramarathons and epic adventures. I am the Executive Director for Throwing Bones (throwing-bones.org), whose mission is to encourage all blood cancer patients to stay healthy and active through treatment. I was educated at the University of Georgia (AB) and the University of Denver (JD). I am married and have three children, ages 19, 15, and 6. They drive me crazy and make every day better. I advocate for all individuals living with blood cancers, and want to encourage them all to keep moving forward. Every day is another opportunity to take a step. Being active is one of the ways to stay ahead of life and to enjoy it more.