SABCS® is committed to integrating the patient voice into scientific discussions. We are grateful to the following patient advocates who serve as speakers and panelists on the Symposium program, bringing valuable perspectives that inform research, health care, and policy:
- Stacey Tinianov, MPH, BCPA, Advocates for Collaborative Education, Santa Cruz, California
Special Session 1: Open Bar and All you Can Eat? The Impact of Lifestyle in Breast Cancer Risk and Recurrence (Tuesday, December 9; 11:00 AM-12:30 PM)
Stacey Tinianov is the founder of Advocates for Collaborative Education, a nonprofit focused on advancing pan-cancer collaboration and education. A breast cancer survivor and board-certified patient advocate, she brings expertise in public health, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement to her work. Stacey is dedicated to fostering inclusive, patient-centered approaches across research, policy, and care delivery.
- Flora Migyanka, BA, Seattle Genetics
Special Session 2: Lobular Breast Cancer Updates (Tuesday, December 9; 11:00 AM-12:30 PM)
Flora Migyanka is a breast cancer survivor and founder of The Dynami Foundation and Uncork for a Cure, initiatives that raise awareness and funding for lobular breast cancer research. With a background in biotechnology and patient advocacy, she works to amplify the voices of underserved cancer communities and promote innovative research collaborations.
- Jane Perlmutter, PhD, MBA
Translational Workshop 1: Spatial Omics for Prediction, Prognostication, and Mechanistic Insights (Tuesday, December 9; 12:45 PM-2:15 PM)
Dr. Jane Perlmutter is a long-time cancer survivor and nationally recognized patient advocate with a background in cognitive psychology and business. She has served on numerous advisory boards and research panels, contributing to the advancement of patient-centered research and clinical trial design. Her advocacy spans across cancer types, with a focus on metastatic breast cancer.
- Judy Fitzgerald, Sisters4Prevention, Delray Beach, Florida
Translational Workshop 2: Liquid Biopsy in Breast Cancer—Bridging Technology and Clinical Practice (Tuesday, December 9; 12:45 PM-2:15 PM)
Educational Session 3: Refining Local Therapy in Multi-disciplinary Care (Tuesday, December 9; 2:30 PM-4:15 PM)
Judy Fitzgerald is the founder of Sisters4Prevention, a breast cancer advocacy organization based in Delray Beach, Florida. A survivor and passionate educator, she promotes awareness of breast cancer prevention and early detection, particularly among underserved populations. Judy’s work includes public speaking, community outreach, and collaboration with research institutions.
- Vernal Branch, Independent Research Patient Advocate, Richmond, Virginia
Clinical Workshop 1: Risk Assessment and Management in Young Women (Tuesday, December 9; 12:45 PM-2:15 PM)
Vernal Branch is an independent research patient advocate based in Richmond, Virginia. A dedicated voice in the metastatic breast cancer community, she collaborates with researchers and institutions to ensure patient perspectives are integrated into scientific and clinical decision-making. Her work emphasizes equity, access, and representation in cancer research.
- Abigail Johnston, SurvivingBreastCancer.org, Orlando, Florida
Educational Session 1: After CDK4/6 Inhibitors—Advancing Treatment for HR+HER2-negative Metastatic Breast Cancer (Tuesday, December 9; 2:30 PM-4:15 PM)
Abigail Johnston is a metastatic breast cancer patient advocate and contributor to SurvivingBreastCancer.org. Based in Orlando, Florida, she leverages her legal background and lived experience to educate, empower, and connect patients navigating advanced disease. Abigail is a frequent speaker and writer on issues of survivorship, policy, and patient rights.
- Lynda Weatherby, Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance, Seattle, Washington
Educational Session 2: Dormancy and Re-activation of Breast Cancer Cells at Distant Metastatic Sites (Tuesday, December 9; 2:30 PM-4:15 PM)
Lynda Weatherby is a patient advocate with the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance, based in Seattle. A metastatic breast cancer patient herself, she works to elevate the voices of those living with advanced disease and collaborates with researchers and organizations to improve outcomes and access to care. Her advocacy focuses on education, equity, and community engagement.
- Thelma Perry Brown, BS, Birmingham, Alabama
Educational Session 4: Balancing Act—Hormone Replacement Therapy in Breast Cancer Care (Tuesday, December 9; 2:30 PM-4:15 PM)
Thelma Brown is a passionate breast cancer research advocate with a particular focus on addressing disparities in Black women and advancing research. Driven by her experience as a two-time survivor, as well as the diagnosis of her mother and five sisters, she dedicates her time to raising awareness of the unique challenges faced by underserved communities and promoting equitable access to screening, treatment, and clinical trial participation. Thelma is also a strong proponent of research aimed at understanding the basis of disparities and development of more effective, less toxic interventions for all diagnosed with breast cancer. Thelma has been involved in patient and research advocacy for nearly 20 years.
- Barbara Segarra-Vazquez, DHSc, University of Puerto Rico School of Health Professions, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Plenary Lecture 1 (Thursday, December 11; 8:00 AM-9:00 AM)
Dr. Barbara Segarra-Vazquez is a professor at the University of Puerto Rico School of Health Professions and a long-standing breast cancer advocate. She has served in numerous leadership roles within national advocacy organizations and research initiatives, focusing on health disparities and patient engagement. Her work emphasizes the inclusion of underrepresented populations in cancer research and care. - Samantha Horn, Baltimore, Maryland
Educational Session 14: Breast Cancer in Young Women—When, Why, and How? (Thursday, December 11; 2:30 PM-4:15 PM)
Samantha Horn works with Johns Hopkins University. She has worked with numerous organizations in the advocacy space, including Living Beyond Breast Cancer, the Ulman Foundation, and GRASP.
- Rosa Olmos, Barcelona, Spain
Educational Session 6: ADCs in the Clinic (Wednesday, December 10; 2:30 PM-4:15 PM)
Rosa Olmos is a patient advocate based in Barcelona, Spain, with a focus on international collaboration in breast cancer research and education. She brings a global perspective to advocacy, working to ensure that patient voices are represented in scientific and policy discussions across Europe and beyond.
- Ghecemy Lopez, DSW, MAED, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles
Educational Session 7: Immune Microenvironment (Wednesday, December 10; 2:30 PM-4:15 PM)
Dr. Ghecemy Lopez is a cancer survivor and patient advocate affiliated with the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles. With a background in education and social work, she focuses on empowering underserved communities through culturally responsive cancer education, survivorship support, and research engagement.
- Ivis Febus-Sampayo, NBCC Board of Directors; and SHARE, New York
Educational Session 8: Optimizing De-escalation in Low-Risk HR+ Early-Stage Breast Cancer (Wednesday, December 10; 2:30 PM-4:15 PM)
Ivis Febus-Sampayo is a two-time breast cancer survivor/thriver patient advocate who was originally misdiagnosed, then diagnosed at the age of 38 while raising her two small boys. She retired as SHARE Cancer Support’s Chief Officer of Diversity and Inclusion in 2023 and continues her patient advocacy work at NCI, FDA, national organizations and at the Disrupt Project in New York City.
- Bri Wesley-Majsiak, The Breasties, Los Angeles
Educational Session 9: Management for Predisposition Gene Carriers (Wednesday, December 10; 2:30 PM-4:15 PM)
Bri Wesley-Majsiak is the co-founder of The Breasties, a nonprofit organization that supports young women affected by breast and gynecologic cancers. Based in Los Angeles, she advocates for inclusive community-building and wellness resources, with a focus on survivorship, mental health, and empowerment.
- Mary Jimenez, BBA, Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation, San Antonio, Texas
Molecular Tumor Board (Thursday, December 11; 12:00 PM-12:50 PM)
Mary Jimenez is a healthcare executive deeply committed to cancer prevention and patient advocacy. She serves as Director of the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation’s Alamo Advocate Program, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational programs internationally and legislative advocacy. Mary also chairs the UT Mays Cancer Center’s Community Outreach and Engagement Advisory Board, where she helps bridge the gap between cutting-edge cancer research and access to care with patients, researchers, and industry.
- Cheryl Jernigan, CPA, FACHE, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
State of the Art 2: Targeting the Non-T Cell Microenvironment (Thursday, December 11; 1:00 PM-2:15 PM)
Cheryl Jernigan is a cancer survivor and research advocate affiliated with the University of Kansas Medical Center. A former health care executive, she brings deep expertise in stakeholder engagement and has served on numerous national panels to promote patient-centered research and policy.
- Beth Emery, National Breast Cancer Coalition, Irving, Texas
Clinical Controversies: Management of the Axilla in Multi-disciplinary Care (Thursday, December 11; 1:00 PM-2:15 PM)
Beth Emery is a patient advocate with the National Breast Cancer Coalition, based in Irving, Texas. She is actively involved in NBCC’s Project LEAD and other science-based advocacy initiatives, working to advance evidence-based policy and accelerate research toward ending breast cancer.
- Janice Cowden, Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient Advocate, North Port, Florida
Educational Session 11: How to Treat TNBC—Triple Negative Not So Negative Anymore (Thursday, December 11; 2:30 PM-4:15 PM)
Janice Cowden is a metastatic breast cancer patient advocate from North Port, Florida. She participates in research advisory boards and peer support networks, focusing on improving quality of life, access to clinical trials, and representation for patients living with advanced disease.
- Michelle Audoin, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Canadian Cancer Trials Group, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Educational Session 12: New Frontiers in Breast Cancer—Targeting Therapy Resistance (Thursday, December 11; 2:30 PM-4:15 PM)
Michelle Audoin is CCTG Patient Representative Committee Chair and a Breast Cancer Patient Advocate.
- Carole Baas, Physical Sciences in Oncology Network, National Cancer Institute, Southlake, Texas
Educational Session 15: Real Impact with Artificial Intelligence (Thursday, December 11; 2:30 PM-4:15 PM)
Carole Baas is a national advocate with the Physical Sciences in Oncology Network at the National Cancer Institute. Based in Southlake, Texas, she bridges the gap between patients and researchers, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to advance cancer research and improve patient outcomes.
- Marissa Thomas, BSHCA, For the Breast of Us Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia
Special Topic Focus: Beyond Cancer—Addressing Body Image, Hair Loss, and Skin Health After Treatment (Friday, December 12; 1:00 PM-2:50 PM)
Marissa Thomas is the CEO and co-founder of For the Breast of Us Foundation, based in Atlanta, Georgia. A breast cancer survivor, she leads efforts to empower women of color affected by breast cancer through education, advocacy, and community-building initiatives.
- Julia Maues, It’s Not Pink, Baltimore, Maryland
View from the Trenches (Friday, December 12; 5:30 PM-6:30 PM)
Julia Maues is a metastatic breast cancer advocate and founder of It’s Not Pink, based in Baltimore, Maryland. Diagnosed during pregnancy, she now works to improve transparency in research and care, advocating for patient-centered approaches and equitable access to treatment.