I work as a nurse practitioner at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I currently work in the breast oncology unit but have been an oncology nurse practitioner for 18 years and have cared for many patients with multiple myeloma. The doctor I shared a practice with when I worked at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which ultimately took his life in 2012.
Roger was an amazing human being and I think about him and miss him every day. I am dedicating my hike to him. I also have friends who have lost loved ones to multiple myeloma and friends who have loved ones currently being treated. When Heather Montgomery (a fellow team member) told me about this hike, I immediately said “Yes, let’s do it!” I have a passion for hiking and for oncology, and to be able to hike to fundraise for cancer research seemed just too good to be true. I see firsthand every day what clinical research can do to change patients’ lives, and I know how important the money is for ongoing research.
Heather and I hiked with our families on New Year’s Day, starting off 2019 right. We are excited to keep training together and to hike Mount Washington with the team in June. I really look forward to meeting all of you soon.