Christine Hodgdon was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2015. She co-founded GRASP – Guiding Researchers & Advocates to Scientific Partnerships, spearheads the MBC Alliance-sponsored Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis (BCBM) Initiative, is a founding committee member of MBCBrainMets.org, and supports the INSPIRE Advocacy Program at Hopkins.
Naomi Howard, a retired clinical social worker, was diagnosed with Stage IV Her2+ disease in 2009. She resides in Pittsburgh where she is a member of bcRAN, and focuses on community outreach and community education regarding breast cancer and clinical trials.
Chris Needles was diagnosed with metastatic TNBC in 2007. She has been associated with a number of advocacy groups in Pittsburgh, including bcRAN, Komen Pittsburgh, the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation and the Pink Panthers.
Susan Trent was diagnosed with TNBC in 2013 and tested positive for the BrCa gene. She decided to become a breast cancer advocate, and joined bcRAN in Pittsburgh. The Hope for Others project is her first direct involvement in a research advocacy project.
Stephanie Walker is a retired RN, and was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2015. She is the project lead of an initiative called BECOME (Black Experience in Clinical Trials and Opportunities for Meaningful Engagements), a LBBC helpline volunteer and Hear My Voice participant, an MBC Alliance member, and a Komen advocate.