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Huntsville, AL - HealthTree Connect to Cures In-Person Event

Huntsville, AL - HealthTree Connect to Cures In-Person Event image

Huntsville, AL - HealthTree Connect to Cures In-Person Event

Regional Event
event Apr 18, 2026 / 10:00AM - 02:00PM CDT
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Event Description

Join us for HealthTree Connect to Cures in Huntsville, AL, on Saturday, April 18th, and connect with other blood cancer patients and caregivers in your community. 

Event will take place at the Holiday Inn Research Park - Discovery & Atlantis Rooms

This free, in-person event offers a meaningful opportunity to:

    • Learn From Academic and Community Doctors Through Interactive Panels
      Join conversations with local doctors and fellow patients, ask questions, and gain valuable insights.
    • Connect with Other Blood Cancer Patients and Caregivers
      Share your experience and hear from others who understand what you're going through. You’ll meet people in your community navigating similar diagnoses and challenges.
    • Discover Key Resources at the HealthTree Fair
      Explore local and essential resources, tools, and support services available to you.
    • Take Home Personalized Materials to Support Your Journey
      Leave with financial guidance, educational handouts, and information about clinical trials—all tailored to help you navigate your care with confidence.

 

Lunch, parking and beverages will be provided, and you’ll leave with practical tools—and stronger community connections—to support your care journey.

Please note: This is an in-person event and will not be recorded.

 

 

Schedule & Agenda

Event panelist
9:30 AM
Registration and Resource Fair
The panelist Mary Arnett
10:00 AM
Welcome & Introductions
Mary Arnett
The panelist Lauren Shea, MD
10:15 AM
Connect to Knowledge: Doctor Panel with Q&A
Lauren Shea, MD

Big Decisions in blood Cancer: A conversation with specialists about key decision points in blood cancer care, helping patients and families better understand their options and make informed choices. Panelists will also share insights they wish they had known earlier, followed by an open Q&A for attendee questions and discussion.

The panelist Mary Arnett
10:55 AM
Connect to Resources
Mary Arnett

Hands-on help with HealthTree Solutions: An interactive session focused on practical solutions—helping patients and families access the right care team, explore clinical trials, navigate financial resources, and use HealthTree tools to support informed decision-making.

Event panelist
11:15 AM
Connect to Community

Visit the resource fair & eat lunch with others with similar blood cancers

Event panelist
12:15 PM
Connect to Experience: Patient & Caregiver Panel

Patients and caregivers share real-life experiences, key turning points, and the actions that made a difference in their care. Through honest stories and reflections, this panel highlights how decisions were made, challenges were faced, and support was found along the way.

The panelist Valarie Traynham
1:15 PM
Community Conversations
Valarie Traynham

A guided breakout session that brings people together in small groups to share, reflect, and learn from one another based on common experiences.

The panelist Mary Arnett
1:45 PM
Connect to HealthTree
Mary Arnett

How To Get Involved

Event panelist
1:50 PM
Closing, Survey, Raffle

A final moment to bring the day together, reflect on what stood out, and identify one meaningful next step you can take after today. This is about leaving with clarity—not doing everything, just what makes sense for you.

Speakers & Moderators

The panelist Mary Arnett
Mary Arnett
Salt Lake City, UT

Mary joined HealthTree in 2022 as a part of HealthTree's team to help expand into all blood cancers. She now works as HealthTree's Volunteer & Community Outreach Manager, helping to engage and involve community members in HealthTree's mission. When she isn't working, she loves being the fun aunt to her 13 nieces and nephews, attending concerts, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and traveling to explore new cities.

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The panelist Lauren Shea, MD
Lauren Shea, MD

Dr. Lauren Shea is a hematologist-oncologist at The Kirklin Clinic at UAB Hospital, specializing in lymphoma care and bone marrow transplantation. Her work focuses on expanding access to innovative treatments such as CAR T-cell therapy, transplant, and other immune-based approaches. She is particularly interested in advancing therapies that harness the immune system to improve outcomes while reducing side effects. Dr. Shea is also involved in clinical research aimed at developing new treatment options for patients, including those with complex or rare lymphomas.

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The panelist Rozalynn Hite
Rozalynn Hite

Rozalynn Hite is the Patient Community Director and leads the HealthTree Coach program. She is also a myeloma caregiver to her husband Richard, and mother to three children. Rozalynn is passionate about providing support, education, and resources to help others live full and meaningful lives.

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The panelist Valarie Traynham
Valarie Traynham

Valarie embarked on her myeloma journey back in 2015, and ever since she's been on a mission. As a resilient myeloma thriver, her passion lies in not just navigating her own path but also in illuminating the journey for others. With a steadfast commitment to understanding the intricacies of the disease, she champions education, shedding light on health inequities that often lurk in the shadows. Driven by a profound belief in fairness, Valarie tirelessly advocates for equitable access to top-tier healthcare, clinical trials, and tailored treatments. Her journey as a beacon of knowledge and support began when she assumed the role of a support group leader. Today, she continues to extend her hand as a myeloma coach, mentor angel, and the guiding force behind the Black Myeloma Health Community. Valarie's voice echoes far and wide as she fearlessly confronts the disparities faced by myeloma patients. Through collaborative efforts with healthcare providers, she strives to forge pathways to solutions, ensuring that every individual receives the care they deserve. Join Valarie on her journey of empowerment and advocacy as she lights the way toward a brighter, more equitable future in myeloma care.

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The panelist Diahanna Vallentine
Diahanna Vallentine
Louisville, Kentucky

Diahanna is the Financial Program Manager for the HealthTree Foundation. She specializes in providing financial help, resources and education for blood cancer 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 blood cancer patients.

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The panelist Alejandra Güitron
Alejandra Güitron

Alejandra is an Industrial Engineer and the Patient Navigators Team Lead at HealthTree. For the past four years, she’s been helping myeloma patients find the resources they need to navigate their disease. A wife and mom of one—soon to be two—she loves nature, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

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Location

Holiday Inn at Research Park

5903 University Dr, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA

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Join the Conversation

This event is part of the General Discussion group in HealthTree Connect, a social media platform for people with blood cancer. If you want to connect with other patients and caregivers and talk about this topic, join HealthTree Connect.

Have Any Questions?

Thank you for your interest in the event. If you have any questions, we would love to help!

Feel free to give us a call or send us a message below.

support

Get In Touch With Us

phone

1-800-709-1113

email

Support@healthtree.org

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