Age 55
Hometown: Rowayton, CT

I will never forget standing in our driveway on April 21, 2014 and getting the call from JP. He was just leaving the orthopedist's office to discuss the results of his MRI. A few weeks prior, he was lifting weights and thought he had pulled a muscle, but learned that day he had three fractures and a tumor the size of a golf ball on his spine. "I have a plasmacytoma and possibly multiple myeloma." I had no idea what either of those were, but I knew that meant cancer.

JP and I met and married in ten months in 1994 and have four beautiful children. Our oldest at the time was headed off to college and all I could think was, that was not in our plan!

How can we manage JP's business, our kids' crazy schedules, college, daily life AND cancer? It's been seven years, and I can wholeheartedly say that life is better now in so many ways. JP, our children and I have never been closer. We are all in this together and our relationships have strengthened from all the highs and lows. We focus on small victories and celebrate every milestone. We don't worry about the things we cannot change and focus on what's important. JP's resilience, courage and resolve are nothing short of inspiring. We coined the phrase "JP STRONG" because it gives all of us strength as a family.

When I first heard about Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma, I instantly wanted to be involved. I needed to focus on the positive and felt this was our way of not only helping JP but other patients, too. We have been blessed with an amazing support network of friends and family who have truly carried us through the challenges of dealing with cancer. This will be our third MM4MM trek and we are elated to share another incredible experience with myeloma warriors. We have embraced this time away to meet new patients, doctors and loved ones of MM patients.

I cried when I got the call that we'd been accepted as a patient/caregiver team. JP and I have been an inseparable team for 27 years, and this was going to be a journey that once again will change our lives and so many others’. We are so honored to be a part of the Alaska trek and feel truly blessed to share this experience with our incredible team. Nothing makes us happier knowing we are raising awareness and funds to find a cure!

We are forever JP STRONG! ❤️