Directors
MIBCC Board Members with Senator Debbie Stabenow
President, Valerie Fraser
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Valerie has been an active advocate since being diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, in 2007. She has also been a resource for research, care-giving and navigating a cancer diagnosis for close friends and family battling cancer since 1985. She became actively involved as a research advocate in 2007 having annually participated in the NBCC Advocacy Training Conference and Lobby Day. She is a graduate of Scientific, Quality Care and Clinical Trials ProjectLEAD, the AACR Scientist-Survivor Program, RAF:Focus on Research, the Komen AIS Program and the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups Leadership Training and Forum. She has participated in peer review for the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) (CDMRP) Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP), the Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) CDMRP, the California Breast Cancer Research Program and Komen For The Cure. Educationally, she has attended many leading cancer conferences and symposiums including, ASCO,AACR, SABCS, 1st Int'l IBC Symposium; Susan Love Int'l Symposium. National Coalition of Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) has appointed her a"super advocate", she was honored with the "Local Hero Award" by the Susan G. Komen Foundation and served as a delegate from Michigan to the LAF Livestrong Summit. Valerie is an Ambassador for Inflammatory Breast Cancer Education and Awareness through the Morgan Welch IBC Research Program and Clinic at M.D. Anderson Center, Houston, Texas, and is involved in Michigan with the University of Michigan Breast Cancer Advocate Advisory Committee (UM BCAAC), and with the Michigan State University Breast Cancer & The Environment Program. Valerie is also an active advocate on I-SPY2 Breast Cancer Clinical Trial working group and a research advocate with the ATHENA Project. She also is active in the Breast Networking Group at Gilda's Club in Southeast Michigan; facilitates for Sister's Hope Retreat; and has served as a cancer camp counselor for "Camp Carefree" at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. |
Vice President, Maria Lyzen
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Experiencing the process of breast cancer and witnessing a young family with a diagnosis of cancer, treatment options and life after cancer, I became an advocate so that new patients with similar diagnoses would be better informed and know all the options that were available. No one needs to do this journey alone and without the resources to find accurate information to make an informed choice. This process then led to my becoming active in research and funding for breast cancer to end breast cancer...especially to those who reside in Michigan. |
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Treasurer, |
Eileen Kastura Made up of breast cancer supporters throughout the state, the coalition will host educational programs for opinion leaders and lobby policymakers to promote research into improved breast cancer treatment and prevention. |
Secretary, Jeanne Deneweth
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Since being diagnosed with breast cancer 13 years ago, I have devoted time and energy to creating awareness of this disease. Awareness has not changed the breast cancer statistics. Too many women are still having their lives shortened by breast cancer. It’s time to change our focus and learn how to prevent breast cancer. That is why I am a member of MIBCC and NBCC.
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Scientific Adivsor - Evelyn R. Barrack, Ph.D.
| I am a breast cancer survivor and a scientist (working on prostate cancer). As a scientist, I am interested in educating patients, the public, and legislators about the science behind this disease. We have a better chance to cure it if we understand it, and that requires funding for research. And we have a better chance to advocate for funding and legislation if we understand the science of breast cancer. My best friend and my sister both died of breast cancer before I was diagnosed, and breast cancer advocacy is a way for me to honor them. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I read extensively about the disease and about my options. I remember thinking how fortunate I was to be able to process this information. I have always appreciated that it is possible to convey technical concepts without using technical jargon, and I enjoy the challenge. In addition, as a scientist working on prostate cancer and funded by the Department of Defense (DOD), I have had the privilege to witness the power and contributions of patient advocates at prostate cancer meetings and of “consumer reviewers” at DOD prostate cancer grant review committees. I would like to be able to participate as an advocate and consumer reviewer to help further the progress of research to eradicate breast cancer. |
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A Tribute to MIBCC Past President, Kathleen Livingston
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Kathleen Livingston is an inflammatory breast cancer patient and has been a survivor/patient of this disease for 13 years. Her goal is to use her talents and resources to assist organizations and individual to eradicate this disease. She has completed courses such as Project Lead and Clinical Trials and attended a number of conferences such as ASCO, SABCS to educate herself about breast cancer. She believes an educated advocate is an empowered and more effective advocate. Kathleen was a Board member of the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) for 3 years representing the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation and is currently the NBCC Field Coordinator for the state of Michigan. She of course, knows first hand how devastating this disease is as she has known many patients including her mother and sister-in-law, who have not survived this disease. Breast cancer patients and the medical profession need better tools to fight this disease, because what currently exists, is not effective enough. |