Motivated by her personal journey with breast cancer, Megan O'Neil is a passionate patient advocate focused on advancing cancer research and promoting equitable patient care. Initially diagnosed at the age of 30 and later confronting Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) at 36, Megan's participation in clinical trials has profoundly influenced her advocacy trajectory. Leveraging her background as a performer and
writer, Megan has openly shared her experiences as an Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer survivor through national media campaigns, public speaking engagements, and partnerships with patient-focused
organizations. Her messaging underscores the critical necessity for patient-centered trials and expanded patient access. The title of her latest publication, based on her experiences as a clinical trial
participant, "Until There Is a Cure, Use Me," encapsulates her unwavering dedication to advancing medical research. Based in Venice, CA, with her husband and beloved pup Panda, Megan finds joy in beach walks, hand-building ceramics, and the simple pleasures of quiet mornings with a cup of coffee.

Mary-Gloria Orji is a 49 years old and works as a hospitality consultant. However after her breast cancer diagnoses in 2010 she with other patients formed an organization now known as, the Network of People  Impacted by Cancer in Nigeria (NePICiN), a patient only advocate group based in Abuja, Nigeria. A 2 times breast cancer survivor, Gloria had seen the gaps in cancer care in her country and is using the group as a platform for cancer patients to share experiences, access psychological care, and push for change and have patients sit at the table when policies on cancer care are being made in her country.

Lisa is a retired Educator. She has two amazing daughters. One who serves in the U.S. Navy and the other who attends a Historically Black College/University in Tallahassee, Florida.

Lisa was diagnosed with Stage 3 Invasive Ductile Carcinoma in 2021. 

She decided to undergo a bilateral mastectomy with reconstructive surgery with DIEP flap. Her treatment plan included chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Lisa decided that patient advocacy would be her personal purpose during this amazing journey. It also became crystal clear that disparities and inequalities still exist and it has to end.

Lisa is a member of the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC), Florida Breast Cancer Foundation (FBCF) member and a Project Lead Institute Graduate. She participated in Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. while attending the NBCC Summit 2024.

Originally from a suburb of Chicago, IL, Ashley Plum pursued her college education at Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design with a minor in Design Studies. After graduating in 2005, she moved to Arizona with her husband, Asa, and daughter, Amelia, immersing herself in restaurant and retail interior design. In 2010, Ashley began a career at Bling 'n Ink, a custom clothing company specializing in designing unique clothing items and accessories for cheer teams and schools.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in 2017, she began some serious soul searching to rediscover herself. Motivated by a genuine desire to help others and contribute to the nonprofit world, Ashley joined Check for a Lump in 2020. Her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor is the driving force behind her commitment to aiding others facing similar challenges. Ashley serves as the Executive Director at Check for a Lump, leading the team with enduring passion, a positive mindset, and a distinctive ability to infuse a challenging subject with a sense of fun and lightheartedness.

Learn more about Ashley at checkforalump.org.

​Howdy Y’all!

Amy enjoys sharing her personal story through her advocacy work. She began her Breast Cancer Advocacy as a Living Beyond Breast Cancer-Hear My Voice Advocate Class of 2022. She wants you to know any effort you make to advocate can make a difference for yourself and others. You can focus on research, fundraising, or raising awareness by sharing your story. Self-advocacy starts with finding reliable resources and finding a community where you feel at home and safe. She currently is an administrator for a couple Facebook groups, she also serves in a leadership capacity for Projectlifembc.org and survivingbreastcancer.org. Social media is an easy space for people to share laughs, events, educational tools, and funny memes. She has served as a Consumer Grant Reviewer for the US Department of Defense-CDMRP the past couple of years.

She was diagnosed with early-stage hormone-positive Lobular Breast Cancer in both breasts in 2014. Five years to the day she was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer in 2019. Her passion for advocacy comes from stories shared by people she has met along the way who shared tips with her over the last 10 years about treatment, side effects, resources, and organizations that help you feel connected and supported while living after a breast cancer diagnosis.

She has 25 years in healthcare working in Diagnostic Imaging. She earned her Masters of Healthcare Administration after her MBC diagnosis. Amy is a Director of Diagnostic Imaging for a Health System in Upstate New York. She enjoys paying it forward by sharing her knowledge of radiology test, preps, and answering questions you may have; She feels lucky to be able to share her experiences as a patient and as a technologist.

Other than being an advocate for herself and others living with Metastatic Breast Cancer-she enjoys volunteering with her local fire company, gardening, playing cards and board games, and spending time with her husband Chris and their 3 fur kids Oliver, Ziva, and Georgia. She enjoys live music, sports, outdoor activities and traveling.

I am a 29 year survivor of IDC and a 2 year survivor of Pleomorphic Lobular Breast Cancer. I started my advocacy 29 years ago with that first diagnosis, first going to Project LEAD, and ultimately finding my niche as an Advocate in Science for the Komen Foundation. I have served as a grant reviewer for the DOD, CBCRP, and Komen Foundation. My recent diagnosis has raised many questions for me to explore, and a new focus with the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance. So glad to be here in San Antonio to share the experience with all of you! Thank you for your commitment to cancer research!

I am a passionate advocate as well as a 2x triple negative breast cancer survivor.  I have an MBA and a certificate in Breast Cancer Survivorship Navigator Virtual Learning Collaborative.  

After my first diagnosis, I became involved with My Style Matters, learning invaluable information about breast cancer. The organization provides resources, support, education, and healthy lifestyle experiences to individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by the disease. When my cancer returned more aggressively nine months later, I applied what I had learned to advocate for myself. 

My involvement deepened following the second recurrence treatment completion. I started as a Volunteer Coordinator participating in many community events and now I am serving as the Outreach Manager. My dedication has helped me to facilitate programs that provide women in active treatment with access to low cost locally grown produce, essential health resources, and tools for making tangible, positive changes in their lives.

I draw on my experiences to guide women through their cancer journeys, emphasizing self-advocacy, mindfulness, and community support.

My story is one of resilience, hope, and a commitment to empowering and connecting with others on similar paths.

Initially a classical musician (cellist) from the age of 3, Kirstin spent much of her childhood happily herding cows on her cousin’s farm in the Cotswolds of England, U.K.  After University Kirstin was found performing in the concert halls and recording studios of London, Europe and the world as classical soloist or principal cellist before settling in London, getting married and teaching in inner city schools.

Kirstin moved to France and Switzerland with her husband where she had her daughter and following this undertook an animal science degree.  After being diagnosed with lobular breast cancer, Kirstin found switching her research interests from animals to humans a natural translational development.  She began to realise how little was known about Invasive Lobular breast cancer and how many challenges having any breast cancer presented for patients and their families on so many levels.

Harbouring a passion for science and research, advocacy seamlessly integrated itself into Kirstin’s life.  From her initial diagnosis, she avidly followed breast cancer research, attending conferences, reviewing research proposals and absorbing that information to inform work she does as patient advocate and later patient expert towards metastatic breast cancer drug approvals in the United Kingdom.

Having been directly impacted by issues such as inequality of available treatment and challenges to access drugs or trials, Kirstin has lived the struggle for which she negotiates on behalf of other breast cancer patients.  She advocates for the Metastatic Breast Cancer Charity METUP UK www.metupuk.org (drugs and research advocate), the Lobular Moonshot Project  www.lobularmoonshot.org, the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance www.lbca.org (patient advocate), GRASP www.graspcancer.org (advocate mentor), METAvivor www.metavivor.org (patient reviewer) and every person afflicted by this infinitely heterogenous disease. 

She is passionate about allowing science to alleviate fear, misunderstanding and unleash pragmatic negotiation to facilitate access to kinder, personalised breast cancer treatment pathways hoping to reduce the stress and improve both quality and length of lives for patients and their families.  She finds that scientific research is an evolving adventure, providing her lots to think about and offering a never-ending golden thread of hope.

Grateful to be alive, an 8-years MBC thriver, and a dedicated cancer advocate since 2021.  😊 

My cancer began December 2015 with an inflamed breast misdiagnosed as an insect bite. Inflammation growing and pain worsening daily, I searched for a MD with sensible answers. February 2016, fast tracked to Arymyxcin. March 2016: Biopsy and scan revealed de novo metastatic breast CANCER HER2+; the start of Taxol, Herceptin, Perjeta and horrendous side effects (neuropathy, burning skin, fatigue, brain fog), and; Acceptance of (forever) infusion treatments; EKGs, blood tests, and PET scans monitoring my metastatic disease.  I shut down, I was frightened, I was “Giving up”.   If I were to create a picture, I would paint an exhausted lady slumped in a chair. 

It was after exhausting 5-years before gaining my level of normalcy and realizing my life would have been a disaster were it not for patient advocates and cancer organizations unending support that - empower, spread hopefulness, fellowship, and offer emotional support, educational updates of cancer drugs, treatments, patient-doctor collaborative decision-making tools from trustworthy sources, resources on nutrition, exercise, finances, self-care spas and beauty regiments that helped rebuild my confidence and strength contra cancer.

How do I give back the gifts and resources that helped me?  Well, during my recovery, I was spending more time with my aging parents in Puerto Rico and a lot of time answering PR islanders’ questions about my cancer and my care. I was informed cancer resources and advocacy were relatively non-existent.  Besides recognizing cancer is deadly and exhausting, as a Latina, a BC patient/survivor (and research analyst) I am well aware of health care disparities across the Hispanic/Latino communities.

SO, in 2021, I was accepted and happily started Living Beyond Breast Cancer Hear My Voice advocacy training program. In 2021, with my LBBC wings, I created, organize and facilitate neighborhood "cancer info/learning series” events in Dorado, Puerto Rico. I have had three, 2021, 2022, and May 2024 ZOOM/LIVE events and the next one is in May 2025.  I recruit bi-lingual medical experts, scientists and advocates to speak about cancer to an audience that is predominantly Spanish-speaking.  In 2023 I relocated to PR dedicated to expanding cancer advocacy here in PR and nationally, after 37 years in Princeton, NJ and previously a born/raised NYC girl 😊. 

Besides keeping an eye on my mid-80s parents in PR 😊 I regularly enrich my advocacy skills with virtual programs, conferences and scholarship awarded training programs like: NBCC Project LEAD Advocacy (2024 graduate); SABCS Latina Cancer Advocacy (2024 graduate), SABCS Alamo Breast Cancer Advocacy (expected 2024 graduate), and Komen ambassador public policy programs (2023-present).  I am thankful for the continued opportunity to tickle my science background as a Consumer Reviewr for DOD Congressionally Medical Research Programs, Grant Rviewer for METAvivor, and as a Patient Advocate voice for colleges/universities and pharma cancer research programs.   Before advocacy, I was a Research/Data Analyst responsible for quality health metric analyses toward actionable ends. Prior that, in academic research in Neuroscience and Well-Being (Wet-lab and Clinical).  I retired (i.e., deemed disabled) Oct. 2019.

When not advocating, I am swimming, cooking/sharing fresh organic meals, walking nature, travelling, or/and hanging out and creating stuff with my Lil’ grandchildren, 3 adult married children, and my adorable aging parents.   I am not a doctor or therapist but feel free to reach out for fellowship, emotional support, conversations

Kristin, a National Breast Cancer Coalition Team Lead for the state of Iowa, is working with her local organization, The Beyond Pink TEAM. She works in Development and Higher Education and taught courses for Wartburg College's Institute for Leadership Education. She holds a BA in Theatre/Communications and an MA in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development from the University of Northern Iowa. She is a graduate of the 2013 NBCC Project LEAD, Advanced LEAD, and has served as a Project LEAD Mentor for the past four classes. She has attended every NBCC Advocacy Summit and Lobby Day since 2013 and benefited directly from the DOD BCRP by receiving the drug Herceptin during her treatment in 2010 and 2011.