SoCal Myeloma Support Group Kick-off image

SoCal Myeloma Support Group Kick-off

Mar 09, 2021
06:30PM - 08:00PM PST
Online Event
Overview

Multiple myeloma patients, caregivers, and supporters in Southern California are welcome to attend the kick-off meeting of the Myeloma Crowd SoCal Region Support Group. As a community, we support each other, and we learn from each other. The Myeloma Crowd SoCal Region Support Group will expand connections across the region and within each county and cancer center. We will enhance awareness and access to trustworthy clinical information, resources, and programs and build synergy with other support groups, organizations, and partners. The primarily virtual format will be a safe, interactive, and convenient supplement to existing support groups that serve Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kings, Kern, Imperial, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. Each chapter meeting will be oriented towards hope and action, ensuring that every session includes actionable insights and suggestions. 

This will be a Google Meet meeting. You do not need a Gmail account to join. If you are joining via mobile, please make sure that you have the Google Meet App downloaded from the App Store. 

Agenda
06:30 PM
Getting to Know the SoCal Chapter
Featured Speakers
Charter, introductions and interactive polling
07:00 PM
State of Myeloma Care and SoCal Chapter Needs Assessment
Featured Speakers
HealthTree Cure Hub SoCal subgroup analysis and discussion
07:30 PM
Actionable Insights: Myeloma Action Month
Featured Speakers
Highlights: Clinical news, resources, events Open forum
08:00 PM
Optional "Virtual Mingle"
Audience
Speakers & Moderators
Healthtree contact Audrey Burton-Bethke

Audrey Burton-Bethke

Audrey joined the Myeloma Crowd as the Community Manager in 2020 after previously working in the nonprofit field for 4 years as a director of Fundraising and Development. She graduated from BYU with a major in Spanish and Nonprofit Management. Audrey is passionate about serving others, loves learning, and enjoys a nice mug of hot chocolate no matter the weather.
Healthtree contact Todd Kennedy

Todd Kennedy

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.
Healthtree contact Diane Kennedy

Diane Kennedy

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.
Healthtree contact Todd Foster

Todd Foster

Todd Foster is the Director of Digital Patient Engagement at HealthTree. He worked at MD Anderson Cancer Center for 12 years before helping myeloma patient, Jenny Ahlstrom, start up HealthTree. He specializes in patient experience, helping patients understand their options, and becoming decision makers with their care teams. Prior experience includes IT development projects at Intermountain HealthCare and UnitedHealthcare. Todd has a passion for using technology that can help patients have a better life, and along the way, help to further research for a cure.