The Myeloma Mentors program provides patients and caregivers the opportunity to connect with trained mentors. These mentors provide personal experiences to help inform, activate, empower and support other patients and caregivers in the multiple myeloma community.
This is a phone-based program offering an opportunity for a patient and/or caregiver to connect one-on-one with a trained patient and/or caregiver mentor to share their patient journeys and experiences. No matter what your disease state — smoldering, newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory — our Mentors have insights and information that can be beneficial to both patients and their caregivers.
Meet our Myeloma Mentors
Our patient mentors are living with multiple myeloma in various stages and classifications, and they have undergone a variety of treatments. They are excited to share their experiences and offer you support and guidance on your multiple myeloma journey.
Evelyn has been living with MM for almost nine years. What she has learned from this was to expect the unexpected. She had her first relapse in January of 2021, which was unexpected. After completing treatment she was back into a complete response. What she has found helpful to persevere along the journey was a strong support team – in healthcare, spiritual aspects, family and circle of friends. She believes it’s imperative to have the entire team working in tandem. Developing short term and long term treatment plans with her healthcare team, and allowing room for adjustment as needed has been a part of her process. Evelyn looks forward to helping others navigate their unexpected.
In 2005, Tricia was dealing with extreme fatigue. Her primary care physician ordered routine bloodwork and found that she was severely anemic. She was then sent to a local hematologist who did a bone marrow biopsy. At this time she was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma after receiving a second opinion. It wasn’t until 2014 that she was diagnosed with active Multiple Myeloma. Tricia participates in MMRF events in hopes of furthering multiple myeloma research. She enjoys sharing her personal experience with other myeloma patients and is looking forward to helping others understand this disease better and find resources for them that will help with their personal myeloma journey.
Andrew’s biggest challenge after receiving his diagnosis was educating himself on this disease. His healthcare team embraced his determination to educate himself, which gave him additional confidence in his doctors. Andrew has kept a positive outlook and is self-motivating. He continues to exercise religiously, routinely riding his bike over 10,000 miles a year and participating in MMRF fundraising cycling events. One motivating factor he had was retirement; although, he only wanted to semi-retire. He remains an active grandfather to his four grandchildren. He feels that his multiple myeloma journey has made him a better person in that he is more compassionate and understanding.
Lisa was diagnosed with MGUS at age 28 - discovered during a routine physical exam showing high protein levels in her bloodwork, but she was otherwise asymptomatic. After 18 months, MGUS developed into MM, requiring immediate treatment at age 30. Dealing with cancer at such a young age was shocking, challenging and unrelatable/lonely, but with a strong support system, cancer mentors, great doctors/treatment, The MMRF, a positive outlook, education, faith and perseverance she reached complete remission after transplant and lived a very 'new normal' life, still able to balance career, life, and her condition. Lisa relapsed after about 5 years, but her condition is currently stable. Lisa wants to help other cancer patients by mentoring, sharing experiences, and offering resources, but most importantly helping them realize they are not alone.
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma seven years ago at the age of 22. It started with pain in my hip that was quickly diagnosed as cancer. I understand the disruption to “normalcy” that a multiple myeloma diagnosis may have caused for you. I’ve made it my mission to make a difference for others dealing with this disease. This time period can be filled with uncertainty, but the thing that has always helped, whether it was the day of the diagnosis or currently, is the importance of having people in your life that are there for you.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma when I was 26 years old. I was a bit lost at first because I was very young when I received this diagnosis, but I soon realized that everyone experiences it differently. Since my diagnosis, I’ve had to cut back on a lot of physical things I used to do, like exercising. I’ve learned how to manage my energy and put it towards things that matter most to me. I am very motivated to share my experiences with others battling this disease and hope to empower other patients during their journey.
My husband, JP, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma six years ago at the age of 48. We do whatever we can to support the MMRF and to keep a positive mindset about our situation. It has been a journey from day one, but I feel we are confident going forward. I’m thrilled to be at this point in our lives to be able to help others. I’m so appreciative of the help we’ve received, and I’m grateful for this opportunity because we understand how this journey with multiple myeloma can be overwhelming.
Carmen’s experience leading up to her diagnosis was unique in that she did not present any symptoms and was diagnosed via pre-pregnancy bloodwork. It revealed that she had low platelets and was anemic. At the time, Carmen was diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma, as she did not meet the criteria to be diagnosed with active multiple. Carmen’s multiple myeloma status continued to be smoldering for a total of 8 years until December 2010. Carmen strives to stay positive and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. She has persevered and embraces the changes that her diagnosis has caused in her life.
Jessie is determined to not let her diagnosis define her and dominate her life; therefore, she has taken control of the situation by continuing her research and education on her diagnosis and learning the importance of practicing self-awareness and self-advocacy for her own health. She has become dedicated in her efforts to incorporate being health-conscious in her lifestyle. Prior to her diagnosis, Jessie’s sense of self was connected to her career. Now, she's revisiting this and learning how to reinvent herself and the lifestyle she plans to lead.
Jeffery stresses the importance of staying motivated and positive. He manages his lifestyle and nutrition to do what he can to have a full and active life. He is determined to continue his active hobbies. Before and after his diagnosis, he has continued to participate in his hobbies as a marathon runner, hunter, fisherman, and hiker. He climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro earlier this year and is taking a summer vacation with his wife to Montana to backpack and hike. Doing the things he loves helps him feel empowered against his disease. He also has found strength in becoming an active member of the multiple myeloma community. Jeffery has been extensively involved in the "mother ship" of MMRF. Jeffery is passionate about raising awareness of MMRF and helping others navigate their way and to find their path.
