by Michelle Beck | Jul 16, 2020
meet-up with a beverage and conversation, social distancing style. Go through the Starbucks drive thru and place your order, give the password and your GRANDE beverage will be on Breast Friends. Then head to the Breast Friends parking lot for a chat. Look for the pink boas and pop up. Bring a chair and a mask!
Please contact Michelle Beck for login information. michellebeck@breastfriends.org
Ginger is a nine year breast cancer survivor. She started volunteering with Breast Friends in 2013 after finishing her treatment. It was very important to her to pay it forward and help other women who were going through breast cancer. She joined the staff in 2019 as the Patient Outreach Coordinator. This position involves reaching out to women recently diagnosed and supporting them through their journey and after completing treatment. She also coordinates the Bald is Beautiful Program, the Hat Program and co-leads the Western Washington County Girls Night Out group. Prior to retiring and volunteering for Breast Friends, Ginger worked for 25 years in the dental field. Ginger and her husband, Bryan, have two children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Spending time with family brings her much joy. Ginger and Bryan enjoy time at the Oregon Coast. Her other favorite activities are volunteering at her church, reading, walking, gardening, shopping, socializing with friends and baking.
Laura was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 and quickly discovered that Breast Friends was an organization changing the course of cancer’s victims. As a way of paying it back and paying it forward, she followed the tug in her heart and joined Breast Friends as a board member. Laura has enjoyed a 20 year career in banking, and is a health and fitness nut whom you will often find running in the forests with her rescue dog or rock climbing with her partner. As a single mom of a 13 year old boy and someone who has learned the ultimate value of life, she tries everyday to live by the motto: Live Big – Love Bigger.
Aimee found Breast Friends in the fall of 2019 after having completed a year of active treatment. She attended a Young Warrior retreat at the beach, and it changed her forever! In 2020 she started volunteering at Breast Friends and found it gave her new purpose that she had been searching for. In 2021 she was hired as the Programs Coordinator. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, Ed, and they have one daughter, Lucy. They love taking family vacation and attending live theatre and musicals. In her spare time she can be found crafting or creating art, sewing, watching movies, picnicking or exploring her native PNW and spending time with friends and family. She is excited and grateful to be part of helping other women who are facing cancer find connection and thrive.
Liz joined Breast Friends after being a key volunteer for two years. She has focused on bringing the social media streams up to date and assisting with events and she will continue to do so. In addition, she will assist in launching new programs. She is very passionate about helping women with cancer, as she lost her mother to breast cancer in 2008 and spent time working in medical community. In the past, she has also volunteered for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Girls on the Run and spent years in other school activities. Liz is married with two grown daughters and her house is rounded out with a dog and two cats. In her free time, she enjoys travel, working out and enjoying the outdoors.
Jackie is a four-year breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in 2016 treated by bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction and chemotherapy. She is a 21 year volunteer with the American Cancer Society, currently serving as a Portrait of Hope for Strides Against Breast Cancer. Jackie is married to Michael, and is a mother to three beautiful children Kaylie, Jordan, and Elijah. She works full time as an HR Director. She hopes to continue mentoring and supporting other women going through cancer, and use her extensive network to help fundraise and advocate for patients and their families.
Accounting and Finance Professional. Diagnosed in 2001 at age 33. Michelle is a finance and accounting professional that has worked in multiple industries providing leadership as well as process and procedure redesign to companies looking to improve their financial and accounting proficiency. She has been married to her husband Mike for 29 years and loves to spend time with friends as well as travel. She has been a Chemo Pal with the Children’s Cancer Society and spent 10 years supporting the National MS Society.
Liz Brown
Dianna was diagnosed with breast cancer in summer of 2003 and discovered Breast Friends that same year at the Portland Health Expo. She started volunteering with us in 2007 in the office and at events. She knew she found her tribe! Just a few short year later she joined our staff as the office manager and webmaster.
Dianna Henson,N.D., MScDUS, has been working in naturopathic medicine for the past 29 years, 18 of which have been focused on Intravenous Nutrient Therapy and women’s health. Dr. Henson graduated from the National University of Natural Medicine (formerly NCNM) in Portland, Oregon with her doctorate in naturopathic medicine. She is licensed as a primary care physician, board certified in naturopathic medicine with a specialty in intravenous nutrient therapy. She, along with her team members, enjoy working as part of the patient’s healthcare team to provide comprehensive, effective, integrative care for patients with cancer and chronic conditions.
Due to COVID-19, some events listed here may have been postponed or canceled.
Please check individual event websites for the latest details.
Dianna Bancke
Dianna was diagnosed with breast cancer in summer of 2003 and discovered Breast Friends that same year at the Portland Health Expo. She started volunteering with us in 2007 in the office and at events. She knew she found her tribe! Just a few short year later she joined our staff as the office manager and webmaster.
Breast Friends Co-Founder & Radio Show Producer and Host
Motivational Speaker & Author
5 time survivor – Diagnosed 1996, 2004, 2009, 2017 and 2018
Becky co-founded Breast Friends is 2000, and is the host and producer of Breast Friends Cancer Support Radio on Voice America. As a motivational speaker, Becky is a sought after national speaker and travels all over the country sharing her experience and inspiring her audiences. She is the published author of, “The Hat That Saved My Life,” which was published in 2004 with a second printing in 2007 (also available on Kindle and Audible). She is a contributing author of several other books. Wife of nearly 40 years to Bill Olson, she is the mother of five, and grandmother of four, with an amazing rescue dog, Swayze.
Allison Hancock
Allison Hancock has been a breast cancer survivor since 2004. Allison began volunteering at Breast Friends in 2013 and now serves as Executive Director since 2018. She has been married to her husband Mark and they have two sons. Josh is currently at Oregon State studying mechanical engineering and Jeremy will be attending Oregon State in the fall of 2020. Go Beavers! Allison has lived on the Gulf Coast, East Coast and West Coast but loves the West Coast best. “The PNW has so much to offer and the scenery is spectacular”. When she isn’t involved with the day to day of Breast Friends, she enjoys reading, cooking and crafting. She says, “It is a great honor to lead this organization. Seeing the impact that the programs has made on the women we serve as they are navigating the cancer journey. Breast cancer is not a club that anyone wants to join, but it is comforting to know that Breast Friends is here to give hope, inspiration and a community of sisterhood.”
Michelle Beck
2 Time Survivor – Diagnosed in 2012 and 2017
Michelle came to us at Breast Friends in 2017 to volunteer and found support that she did not know that she needed. In early 2019 she was hired as the Patient Programs Assistant. In her free time, she enjoys exploring with her husband Nate, their son Jackson and their golden retriever, Apollo, in their travel trailer. She loves reading books, watching movies and is obsessed with true crime and paranormal podcasts. She is the leader of her son’s Cub Scouts Den and volunteers at his school. Her second journey with breast cancer has led her to a new career path as a Breast Cancer Advocate, working on a book to tell her story and speaking to audiences about how to move forward in the face of life’s trials.
Board Member since January 2016
Medical Oncologist
Providence Medical Group
Providence Portland Medical Center
In addition to providing compassionate and individualized care for patients with cancer, Dr. Page’s mission is to improve the quality of that care by dedicating himself to clinical research and by reflecting upon the unique experiences of each of his patients. Dr. Page’s research investigates new cancer treatment approaches that harness the ability of an individual’s immune system to recognize, attack, and eliminate cancer. Dr. Page grew up in Niagara Falls, New York, and spent much of his childhood cooking at his family-owned restaurant. He did his fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, N.Y. He is excited to join the Portland community, where in addition to advancing breast cancer care, he continues to be an avid cook, camper and dog owner.
Breast cancer survivor – diagnosed 2016
Beth has her PhD in engineering psychology and has been doing aviation safety research for over 30 years. She currently works as a lead aviation safety scientist for The MITRE Corporation. Prior to that Beth ran her own research company for 23 years conducting projects for the FAA, NASA, Boeing, many US and international airlines, and other certification organizations across the world. Beth loves to teach and has done consulting for small businesses on enhancing their policies and processes, as well as adjunct teaching of graduate-level aviation safety, research, and psychology courses.
Beth has a wonderful 10-year-old daughter who is the light of her life. She loves reading in all genres and spending time with friends talking about books, drinking wine, or enjoying all that Oregon has to offer.
Megan Deras Gardner, MS, CCN, CNS®, CKNS℠, CPT, FNS
Clinical Nutritionist
Megan is a graduate of the National University of Natural Medicine with a Master of Science in Nutrition and went on to earn the gold standard in nationally recognized certifications and credentialed with the Board of Certified Nutrition Specialists® (BCNS). One of only a few Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS ®) practicing in Oregon, Megan employs several integrative care modalities to treat cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes and other chronic metabolic and inflammatory disorders. She is currently in the Level 1 certificate program to become a Diabetes Educator. As a certified clinical nutritionist, Megan works closely with her patient’s interdisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive, complementary care using a functional medicine approach. She also has experience in culinary arts and personal chef services.
Resume Highlights Include:
• Master of Science in Nutrition, National University of Natural Medicine
• Certified Personal Trainer, American Council on Exercise
• Board Certified Nutrition Specialist ®
• Certified Clinical Nutritionist, State of Washington
• Certified Ketogenic Nutrition Specialist℠
• Member of the American College of Nutrition
• Member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators
• Member of the Institute for Functional Medicine
• Secretary, Board of Directors, Breast Friends of Oregon™
Director of Supply Chain Management
Triple Negative breast cancer survivor – diagnosed 2017
Laura is an accomplished supply chain professional and leader with over 20 years experience. She has an MBA from the University of Oregon. Laura is a skilled negotiator known for finding common ground. Additionally, she is highly effective at building cross-functional individual and team relationships. Laura has benefited greatly from Breast Friends programs and the wonderful women that support their services. As a board member and volunteer she hopes to utilize her vast business network and vendor contacts to support Breast Friends growth now and into the future.
She is married to her beautiful wife Debra of 17 years and together they have a wonderful daughter, Sarah. Sports play a huge role in our family. Many hours are dedicated to cheering Sarah on at soccer and basketball games. Time is also spent supporting the Portland Thorns, Blazers and Winterhawks, not to mention football Sundays spent around the television. Two great rescue dogs, Amy and Bounce round out their happy family.
Tanyis is the mother of two and married to Mike. Tanyis works in human resources and has been for about 20 years. In 2013 she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and BRCA 1 and found her strength connecting immediately with other young women going through this journey. Through her desire to learn everything about her gene mutation she found her passion in educating others on the importance of genetic testing, she travels around the country as a patient speaker educating doctors and nurses on genetic testing and sharing her story.
Tricia has been an passionate supporter of the Breast Friends Board since 2012. Tricia works in the cancer community as an Oncology Sales Specialist for Eisai Inc previously at Myriad Genetics Lab plus has wealth of experience in business. Originally, she joined Breast Friends through sponsorship/playing piano for the the annual Joy of Life Gala. Having lost both her mom and mother-in-law to cancer Tricia is especially touched when she meets friends who feel isolated in their disease and connects them to Breast Friends for support. She knows her Mothers’ would be thrilled to know their light is going forward to help other women.
Is a 26 year breast cancer survivor and uses her experience to demonstrate compassion, thoughtfulness to others. She Co-founded Breast Friends in 2000 and has created many innovative programs serving women including those in Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. She has facilitated workshops and retreats. She co-hosts a Voice America internet radio show that educates and inspires people around the world on the subject of cancer. Sharon is a
Certified Professional Life Coach with certifications is NLP, and CBT and helps women to live their best lives. She is the author of “Thriving Beyond Cancer, Hope, Understanding and Validation for the Cancer Survivor” available on Amazon. Her latest passion is Breast Advocates
International, a non profit to “educate women as advocates to encourage early detection of breast cancer to reduce mortality in underserved counties.” Sharon loves to travel, both here in the states and to other countries. Sharon’s positive outlook on life, boundless energy and
selfless spirit radiate throughout all that she does.
Geff Zamor is a video producer, web commercial director, and Content Creator. His production company, GMS Media and Advertising, has produced original content for brands and artists since 2007.He made his directorial debut with On the Job Training (2007), and has since directed commercials for Cheetos, CheezIt, Orville Redenbacher, Tarot.com, and a great many more. At GMS Media and Advertising, Geff and his team craft and deploy ad campaigns and empower brands to succeed.
Gail has been a strong supporter of Breast Friends since 2012. Gail is a Community Ambassador and promotes the valuable psycho-social support that Breast Friends provides within Oregon’s cancer clinics. She works for Incyte educating the oncologists in Oregon. She has been recognized by Eisai Inc. for her work with Breast Friends and won the 2014 Human Health Care Activity Award for the Americas and the Global HHC Encouragement
Award. She received the Breast Friends coveted “Angel Award” in October 2014
Breast Friends is a Non-Profit 501(c)3 Corporation. BREAST FRIENDS is a registered trademark of Breast Friends. Unauthorized use of our trademark or copyrighted materials carries significant statutory penalties.
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