The Benefits of Fitness for Myeloma Patients

Linnley joined the Myeloma Crowd in January 2020 to share her passion for health. Her husband is a Childhood Cancer Survivor as well as a Cancer Biologist. Finding a cure, better treatments, and balancing life through treatment is a huge passion of their family. She's a mom of an energetic 6-year old, marathon runner, and Ironman finisher- fitness has been a huge part of her life and she loves to share it with others.

Jens Hillengass, MD, PhD, is Professor of Oncology and Chief of the Myeloma and Amyloidosis Service at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY. Prior to joining Roswell, he was the deputy of the section multiple myeloma of the University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany, the leader of its autologous stem cell transplantation program, and head of the hemato-oncological imaging research group at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). He completed his medical degree at Heidelberg University, where he later completed residency and fellowship in the department of hematology, oncology, and rheumatology. Dr Hillengass received a Gerok scholarship to study radiology at the German Cancer Research Center. Additionally, he completed a research fellowship at the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Hillengass is member of the Black Swan Research Initiative of the International Myeloma Foundation and the International Myeloma Working Group where he co-chairs the bone and imaging group. Michaela Hillengass, RN, Case Manager, ACSM-certified Personal Trainer, is an Exercise Trainer and Study Coordinator at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY. Prior to joining Roswell Park, she worked as Case Manager in the Myeloma department of the Heidelberg University Hospital and took care of patients coming for the first appointment and also patients preparing for their autologous stem cell transplant. Before that, she worked as RN (with a specialty in pain nurse) in the infusion clinic for 7 years. Prior to that, she worked in several departments of a local hospital, amongst others as head nurse on a ward in Karlsruhe (South Germany) where she also had her nursing training. She is a member of the IMF nursing board since 2020.