Breast Friends

Brooks Fuentes

Brooks was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2021. During active treatment, she was able to find support and comfort through the broader breast cancer community. She discovered a passion for connecting with other survivors and wanted to continue providing encouragement and assistance to the cancer community in her professional career. She joined Breast Friends in 2023 as a Patient Outreach Specialist, focusing on outreach and programming for the Latinx community. She was born in Mexico, raised in Atlanta, and has lived in Oregon since 2001. She loves adventuring outdoors, cuddling her cats, traveling back home to Mexico, expanding her mindfulness practices through yoga and meditation, and reading.

Katje Johnson-Jacobs

Alyssa Beyer

Melissa Thomsen

Melissa is a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2020 at the age of 48.  Melissa became involved with Breast Friends in the middle of her year long active treatment and has been involved ever since.  Prior to joining the board, she has served as a mentor and as a HUGS volunteer. She enjoys traveling with her husband, Rick and three children, Connor, Brooke and Ryker. Melissa spends a lot of time at the Oregon coast, hiking, and kayaking. In her prior professional career she has been a Development Director for The Dougy Center and Parrott Creek Child & Family Services among others.

Ron Merryman

.As a Vistage Master Chair Ron collaborates with high integrity leaders to develop lifelong leadership excellence that elevates companies, strengthen communities and delivers results that fosters sustainable growth.  Previously, was an executive leader specializing building successful high performance teams in finance, customer service and operations. Experience includes nearly 20 years in display technology industry and most recently durable medical equipment industry. Companies have included manufacturing, service and distribution.

Michelle Beck

2 Time Survivor – Diagnosed in 2012 and 2017

Michelle is a 2-time, 9-year survivor of breast cancer. In 2017, she began volunteering at Breast Friends, and in the process found support, encouragement and a tribe of women who understood exactly what it is like to hear the words “you have cancer.” This changed her life forever. In early 2019, she was hired as the Patient Programs Assistant. She is now embracing the opportunity to host the Breast Friends Cancer Support Network podcast. Michelle enjoys exploring with her husband Nate, son Jackson and 2 dogs in their travel trailer  She loves reading books, watching movies and is obsessed with true crime and paranormal podcasts.

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.”

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.

Michelle Waddell

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

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.

Aimee Berg

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.

Laura Willems

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.

Leslie DeFrancq

Leslie DeFrancq – Business Analysis Manager

Leslie has been working in the high tech industry for the past 27 years holding diverse business development and product marketing positions.  She received her BA from Willamette University and MBA from Portland State University.  Leslie is passionate about supporting and assisting women.  For many years, she volunteered at PowerHouse as a mentor to foster care teens.  Having known many breast cancer survivors, she is excited to serve on the board of Breast Friends.

When not working, Leslie spends time with family, friends, and her rescue dog, Frannie.  She takes full advantage of the Pacific Northwest getting outside to hike, bike, and stand-up paddle board.

Cory Collins

Cory Collins was diagnosed with Stage Four Inflammatory Breast Cancer in August of 2010 and has been cancer free since February of 2011. She began volunteering with Breast Friends in May of 2011, seeking other women who had similar experiences to her own to help through their battles. Cory has two children, a daughter, Kelsey and a son, Derrick and two grandchildren that she adores. Cory loves spending her free time paddle-boarding, gardening, reading and hiking. Getting Cancer gave Cory a new outlook on life, knowing that every moment is precious and that it takes a village to win the battle.
“Be the sunshine after endless days of rain.”

Geff Zamor

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.

Dr. Henson

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.

David B. Page, MD

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.

Laura Addonisio

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.