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2026 Cancer Nation
The Cancer Nation Leadership Academy selected 12 survivors, caregivers, and health care professionals from across the country have been selected to serve as 2026 Cancer Nation Ambassadors. Ambassadors receive mentorship, support, networking opportunities, and training to develop and execute a plan-of-action for their project to serve their local or virtual community.
Find out below how the 2026 Cancer Nation Ambassadors are working to improve cancer care in their community.
Rev. Loris Adams | Washington, DC
Kathy Benich | Kansas City, Missouri
Lisa Craine | Akron, Ohio
Tim McDonald | Tampa, Florida
Ebonie Michelle, MPH | | Charlotte, North Carolina
Tony Newberne | Charlotte, North Carolina
Haley Parker, DAcCHM, Dipl. EAM | Vienna, Virginia
Claudia Perez-Favela | Imperial, California
John R. Ray | Birmingham, Alabama
Colette Smith | Bronx, New York
Amy Steinhour, MMS, PA-C | Parkville, Missouri
Sharon Torres, PA-C | San Francisco, California
Rev. Loris N. Adams
Washington, DC
Rev. Loris N. Adams as President of BMB Coaching & Consulting, a firm grounded in the belief that each of us is called to “Be More”—more loving, more present, more whole. Through her work as the inaugural Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Director of the Center for Ethical Leadership & Service at National Cathedral School for Girls in Washington, D.C., Rev. Adams guides students and educators in living lives of integrity, service, and global compassion.
She is an iPEC-certified coach with 18 years of experience as an educator, dean, senior administrator, and DEI leader.
Loris’s ministry of healing and faith is not just professional—it is deeply personal. She is surviving ovarian cancer, a journey that has transformed her understanding of grace, resilience, and divine presence.
She also carries in her heart the memory of her mother and grandmother, who both passed from pancreatic cancer, and her stepfather, who succumbed to lung cancer. Through their lives and legacies, she learned that love endures beyond the body and that faith can hold what words cannot. She has witnessed both the ache and the awe of God’s presence in moments of suffering and grace. Those experiences have deepened her belief that healing is not only of the body, but of the soul.
Kathy Benich
Kansas City, Missouri
Kathy Benich is a cancer caregiver, patient advocate, educator, and healthcare leader dedicated to improving patient- and caregiver-centered cancer care. Her advocacy journey began during her husband John’s two-year experience with colon cancer and has evolved into leadership roles spanning research advocacy, community engagement, caregiver support, and patient education.
Kathy serves as Chair of the Patient Leadership Team for PIVOT (Patient and Investigator Voices Organizing Together) at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, where she leads a 15-member leadership team supporting more than 200 patient research advocates. She partners with researchers, clinicians, and cancer center leadership to ensure patient and caregiver perspectives inform cancer research and program development. Previously, she chaired PIVOT’s Education Task Force, developing workshops and webinars that prepared advocates for meaningful participation in cancer research.
She also serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors for Gilda’s Club Kansas City, Secretary of the Board of Directors for the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance, and a member of the Frontiers Community Advisory Board. Kathy is the founder of Marigold Path, where she provides caregiver support and community education.
Drawing on both lived experience and more than 30 years of healthcare consulting and leadership experience, Kathy is passionate about empowering caregivers, strengthening patient engagement, and developing practical solutions that improve the cancer care experience. As a member of the Cancer Nation Leadership Academy, she is developing a Cancer Caregiver Preparedness Toolkit to help family caregivers build confidence, navigate healthcare systems, and better support loved ones throughout the cancer journey.
Lisa Craine
Akron, Ohio
Patient Advocate | Research Advocate | Patient Mentor
Co-Founder, Craine’s Cholangiocarcinoma Crew
Lisa Craine is a nationally recognized patient advocate, research advocate, and mentor in the cholangiocarcinoma community. Diagnosed with Stage IV cholangiocarcinoma in 2010 and initially given six months to live, she sought care at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, where she received expert treatment and renewed hope. Now, 16 years later, she has experienced five recurrences and undergone multiple treatments, including chemotherapy, two liver resections, and SBRT.
She co-founded Craine’s Cholangiocarcinoma Crew, a nonprofit dedicated to funding research, mentoring patients, and expanding awareness of this rare cancer. Through her lived experience and advocacy work, Lisa has mentored more than 1,300 patients and caregivers worldwide, offering guidance, support, and connection during some of their most difficult moments.
Lisa is actively engaged in national clinical research and policy efforts, serving with organizations including CDMRP, the FDA Patient Engagement Collaborative, SWOG, ASCO, and AACR. Her advocacy focuses on ensuring that patients have access to information, treatment options, and hope, while strengthening the integration of the patient voice in research and decision-making.
Her work is driven by a commitment to improving outcomes, advancing research, and ensuring that no patient feels alone in their journey.
Tim McDonald
Tampa, Florida
Tim McDonald turns lived experience into systemic change. Diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer in November 2020, he went on to receive a living donor liver transplant and emerged with a clear purpose: to make sure no one navigates cancer feeling unseen or alone.
Today Tim is a patient advocate, author, speaker, and podcast host. He wrote From Patient to Advocate: Turning Survivorship Into Impact, a guide for survivors ready to turn their experience into action. Through his Advocacy at Work podcast and Substack, he gives advocates and clinicians a platform to share what real impact looks like.
His advocacy spans research, policy, and community. He serves as a Research Advocate with Fight Colorectal Cancer and as Florida Chapter Leader for Man Up to Cancer, where he helps organize the Gathering of Wolves retreat for men facing cancer. He holds advisory roles with HOPA and the PAN Foundation, has worked on committees with PCORI, the CDMRP, and Natera, and co-leads the Florida delegation at Fight CRC’s Call on Congress.
With more than seventeen years of community-building experience across media and technology, Tim has spoken at events throughout the United States and Europe. Based in Tampa, Florida, he is building a survivorship pilot that helps patients step into advocacy close to home.
His guiding belief shapes everything he does: the wound becomes the wisdom, and the wisdom becomes the work.
Ebonie Michelle, MPH
Charlotte, North Carolina
Ebonie Michelle, MPH, is a public health and thought leader, steadfast patient advocate, and Founder & CEO of Prowl The LAB, an organization dedicated to reclaiming the narrative for women and couples navigating disease, trauma, and different abilities. As the third woman in three generations of her family to face breast cancer, she has turned personal resilience into a lasting commitment to health equity and patient centered care.
That commitment rests on one guiding conviction: quality of life is as vital as quantity of life. Through Prowl The LAB, Ebonie embeds sexual health and wellness into cancer care plans from diagnosis through treatment, positioning it as essential to optimal standard of care, not a supplemental afterthought.
With a Master of Public Health from Florida A&M University’s Institute of Public Health and a degree in Marketing Management from Hampton University, Ebonie bridges lived experience with clinical rigor. She serves on Lumanity, Inc.’s Expert Patient Bureau and Strategic Patient Council, and partners with Northwestern University and the University of Chicago to advance clinical trial awareness and equitable outcomes in cancer research.
A 2025 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Ambassador for the American Cancer Society and VOICES of Black Women Study Ambassador, Ebonie has shared her story through the Changing the Odds initiative, a Pfizer and American Cancer Society collaboration, advocating for survivors too often overlooked in cancer care. Grounded by her husband and their two children, she continues building a legacy of resilience, advocacy, and empowerment, inspiring survivors and partners to Strive, Rise, and Thrive.
Tony Newberne
Charlotte, North Carolina
Tony Newberne is a multiple myeloma survivor, patient advocate, and community leader dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by cancer. Diagnosed with high-risk multiple myeloma in 2013 at the age of 39, Tony has spent more than a decade navigating treatment, including a stem cell transplant, 12 years of continuous chemotherapy, and CAR-T cell therapy. He uses his lived experience to advocate for greater access to innovative treatments, research, and patient-centered care.
He serves in national and state advocacy leadership roles and works closely with researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and patient organizations to help ensure the patient voice is represented in clinical research, healthcare policy, and drug development. His advocacy focuses on expanding access to care, advancing cancer research, improving patient education, and reducing barriers that impact treatment and outcomes.
Tony is passionate about empowering patients to become active partners in their care. He frequently speaks at conferences, serves on advisory boards, and collaborates with researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers to ensure that patient perspectives help shape the future of cancer care.
Through his advocacy, Tony strives to help create a future where every patient has timely access to innovative treatments, quality care, and the opportunity to live their best life beyond cancer.
Haley Parker, DAcCHM, Dipl. EAM
Vienna, Virginia
Dr. Haley Parker, is a multi-state licensed Doctor of East Asian Medicine, educator, healthcare leader, and advocate specializing in integrative medicine, oncology supportive care, and workforce development. She is licensed in 11 states and is board-certified as a Diplomate in East Asian Medicine through the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM).
As Director of Clinical Operations at Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (VUIM), Dr. Parker leads clinical education, externship development, and community partnerships. She has established integrative externships with hospitals, cancer centers, and community organizations, expanding access to whole-person care while preparing future healthcare professionals through collaborative, interdisciplinary training.
A former Division I athlete at the University of Virginia, Dr. Parker combines evidence-informed practice with a passion for lifestyle medicine, nervous system regulation, emotional wellness, survivorship, and patient-centered care. She teaches clinical communication, cultural responsiveness, and compassionate bedside manner, believing these are foundational to exceptional healthcare.
Dr. Parker serves on the NCBAHM Professional Ethics & Disciplinary Committee, the Virginia Board of Medicine’s Acupuncture Advisory Committee, and the Acupuncture Society of Virginia Advocacy Board. She is also an active member of the Society for Integrative Oncology and the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health.
Through leadership, education, research, advocacy, and community collaboration, Dr. Parker is committed to advancing integrative oncology, expanding access to whole-person care, and strengthening the future healthcare workforce.
Claudia Perez-Favela
Imperial, California
Claudia Perez-Favela is a cervical cancer survivor, caregiver, patient advocate, and community health worker volunteer from Imperial County, California. Born and raised in Sinaloa, Mexico, her experiences with cancer have shaped both her life and her commitment to helping others navigate the challenges of cancer care.
After supporting her mother through ovarian cancer and later facing her own cervical cancer diagnosis, Claudia experienced firsthand how language barriers, limited access to information, financial challenges, and stigma can make an already difficult journey even harder for patients and families. Witnessing cancer from both the caregiver and survivor perspectives gave her a unique understanding of the emotional, practical, and healthcare challenges people face throughout the cancer journey.
A turning point in her advocacy journey came when she attended Cervivor School in Seattle in 2023. Surrounded by survivors who openly shared their experiences, she discovered the power of storytelling and community support. That experience gave her the confidence to share her own story and encourage others to seek preventive care, get screened, and advocate for their health.
Today, Claudia serves as a Patient Advocate and Ambassador with Cervivor and as an Ambassador Constituent Team Lead with ACS CAN, among other volunteer roles focused on cancer education, patient support, and health equity. Through advocacy, education, mentorship, and community outreach, she is committed to helping ensure that no one faces cancer alone and that every person has access to the support, information, and care they deserve.
John R. Ray
Birmingham, Alabama
John R. Ray – Entertainment Pioneer, Visionary Entrepreneur, Prostate Cancer Advocate & Dedicated Community Advocate whose career spans over five decades. In the mid-1970s, he founded Turning Point Productions, establishing him as one of the most respected promoters in the entertainment industry. He quickly rose to prominence promoting legends such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Kool & the Gang, MC Hammer, and many others. Beyond promoting concerts, he served as tour promoter for Anita Baker from 1988–1991 and comedian Sinbad. He also managed Dennis Edwards & The Temptations Revue and the internationally known group Brick.
In 2024, Ray expanded his life’s mission from entertainment to health advocacy, founding Prostate Cancer Awareness Inc., where he serves as Executive Director. He has a passion to educate and empower men—particularly within underserved communities—Ray is an advocate for prostate cancer awareness, early detection, and survivorship support.
Ray’s organization provides education, resources, survivor-led discussions, and hosts a monthly free men’s breakfast designed to encourage conversations about men’s health and wellness. Through strategic partnerships with leading healthcare and advocacy organizations such as UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Awareness Network, Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN), Black Nurses Association of Alabama, ArchWell Health, and noted urologist Dr. Brian Stone, Ray is helping break the stigma surrounding prostate cancer while promoting life-saving screenings and community engagement.
At 80 years young, Ray continues to lead with purpose, passion, and unwavering faith, he remains committed to inspiring others to DREAM BIG, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, and KEEP GOD FIRST.
Colette Smith
Bronx, New York
Colette Smith is the Founder of HEALing The Bronx, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to improving health outcomes through education, advocacy, art, and community engagement. An 11-year lung cancer survivor and passionate patient advocate, she works to eliminate disparities in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship, particularly in historically underserved communities.
Through HEALing The Bronx, Colette created Care Within Our Reach, a community-driven cancer education symposium that brings together patients, survivors, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and community organizations to improve access to trusted information.
Colette serves as a patient advocate on Mount Sinai’s Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC), where she helps ensure that clinical research reflects patient priorities and promotes meaningful community engagement. She completed the Community Scientist Program at CUNY and earned an Advanced Certificate in Leading Change in Healthcare Systems, strengthening her ability to bridge science, policy, and patient advocacy.
Her policy advocacy includes partnering with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to support the passage of New York State’s Lung Cancer Screening legislation, sharing her personal story with lawmakers and the media to advance equitable access to lifesaving screening. She has also represented the patient perspective at national forums, including Johnson & Johnson’s Precision Medicine Summit, and was selected as a 2026 AACR Scientist↔Survivor Program participant, where she continues to champion patient-centered research and innovation.
As a member of the Cancer Nation Leadership Academy, Colette looks forward to expanding her leadership skills, collaborating with advocates across the country and advancing initiatives that improve cancer outcomes and ensure every patient has access to high-quality, equitable care.
Amy Steinhour, MMS, PA-C
Parkville, Missouri
Amy Steinhour, MMS, PA-C, is a breast cancer survivor, caregiver, physician assistant, educator, and founder of GiftWellSoon, a free online support registry that helps people navigating illness, treatment, recovery, caregiving, grief, and major life transitions organize practical support from their communities.
Amy’s work is shaped by both lived and professional experience. After going through breast cancer treatment and caring for her mother during her battle with breast cancer, she saw firsthand how difficult it can be for patients and caregivers to ask for and coordinate help, even when surrounded by people who want to support them. That experience inspired her to create GiftWellSoon, a platform that turns vague offers of help into specific, actionable support such as meals, rides, financial contributions, gift cards, care items, household tasks, and scheduled help.
She is passionate about improving whole-person cancer care by addressing the practical, emotional, and social needs that affect patients and families outside the clinic. As a Cancer Nation Ambassador, Amy hopes to advance a Cancer Support Registry Pilot that reduces the mental load on patients and caregivers, improves access to practical support, and uses real-world support-request data to better understand unmet needs across the cancer care continuum.
Sharon Torres, PA-C
San Francisco, California
Sharon Torres, PA-C, is an Oncology Physician Assistant with nearly 20 years of diverse clinical experience across oncology, oncology survivorship, infusion-based care, gastroenterology/hepatology, women’s health, primary care, and trauma-informed care. Born in India, Sharon’s early experiences shaped her awareness of health disparities and inspired her commitment to compassionate, culturally responsive care for underserved communities.
Sharon currently works in Hematology/Oncology at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and previously provided oncology survivorship care as a Physician Assistant at Kaiser Permanente for nearly a decade, supporting patients as they transitioned from cancer treatment into long-term follow-up. Her broad clinical background gives her a whole-person perspective on the medical, emotional, and practical needs of patients during and after cancer treatment.
Sharon’s Cancer Nation Leadership Academy project is “Stronger Every Step: Through Cancer and Beyond,” a patient education class focused on cancer wellness and survivorship. The class is designed to help patients manage common concerns during and after cancer treatment, including fatigue, sleep changes, nutrition, emotional well-being, anxiety, depression, lymphedema, skin and nail changes, sexual health, and wellness goals. Through this class, she hopes to create a supportive and practical space where patients feel informed, empowered, and less alone.
In addition to her clinical work, Sharon serves as a clinical adjunct faculty for Physician Assistant students at Dominican University of California in San Rafael. She also founded the Bay Area Ladies Book Club in 2016, a small group of friends and colleagues who are women of color and who read books by minority authors centered on hardship, resilience, and empowerment. Outside of work, Sharon enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring different cultures through food and cuisine.
2026 Cancer Nation Leadership Academy Program Supporters
