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Pittsburgh, PA - Blood Cancer In-Person Event

Pittsburgh, PA - Blood Cancer In-Person Event image

Pittsburgh, PA - Blood Cancer In-Person Event

Regional Event
event Aug 29, 2026 / 09:00AM - 02:00PM EDT
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Event Description

Join us for HealthTree Connect to Cures in Pittsburgh, PA, on Saturday, August 29th, and connect with other blood cancer patients, caregivers, and local resources in your community. 

The event will take place at The Westin Pittsburgh Hotel - in the Westmorland  (West, Central, and East meeting 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. We invite Black patients and loved ones to join us and take part in a special Black community session designed for connection, shared experiences, and culturally relevant support 
      • 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
8:30 AM
Registration and Resource Fair
The panelist Mary Arnett
9:00 AM
Welcome & Introductions
Mary Arnett
The panelist Salman Fazal, MD
9:15 AM
Connect to Knowledge: Doctor Panel with Q&A
Salman Fazal, MD

Salman Fazal, 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
9:55 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
10:15 AM
Connect to Community

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

Event panelist
11:15 AM
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.

Event panelist
12:15 PM
Community Conversations

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
12:45 PM
Connect to HealthTree
Mary Arnett

How To Get Involved

Event panelist
12:50 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.

Read Bio
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.

Read Bio

Location

The Westin Pittsburgh

1000 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, 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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