COSAM News Articles 2019 June COSAM Advisor is “Moving Mountains” for Cancer Research

COSAM Advisor is “Moving Mountains” for Cancer Research

Published: 06/25/2019

Academic advisor Meredith Powell spends her days helping Auburn University students plan their future paths. As an advisor in the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM), she helps navigate the path for future medical professionals, researchers and leaders. Meredith is also helping to move mountains to raise awareness about Multiple Myeloma through the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

In August, Meredith will spend five days hiking the “Fire + Ice” Trek as part of Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma to support cancer research for this disease. During her time in Iceland, she will spend up to eight hours a day hiking around both fire and ice with landscapes including lava fields, volcanoes, and even glaciers.

This “Fire + Ice” Trek has personal meaning since Meredith’s mother, Dianne Powell, lives with Multiple Myeloma. Six years ago, before her mother’s 50^th birthday, she was diagnosed with this disease, a blood cancer that affects plasma cells.

Meredith recently trained for her journey hiking the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. She joined her team of 15 other hikers, and prepared to encounter the uncertainty of the wilderness as her mother faces the same uncertainty.

“Since her diagnosis, her protein levels have continuously risen, while her hemoglobin levels continually drop, indicating progression of the disease,” Meredith explains. “I want to help raise awareness for this disease and help people who need it most.”