Hannah Holtkamp, PhD, New Zealand

I am a scientist with a PhD in Analytical Chemistry, and my career has been driven by a passion for helping people through science. I’m deeply motivated by the potential of health technology to improve lives and am always eager to learn about the latest advancements in the field.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve encountered, particularly in healthcare, is that many excellent early-stage research projects with promising applications struggle to become viable, market-ready products for clinical adoption. Additionally, the New Zealand health system can often face several barriers that prevent New Zealanders from accessing the latest health innovations, including limited funding, workforce shortages, risk aversion, and a lack of support for translational research.

Motivated to improve this process, nearly two years ago I began working as the Innovation Development Manager at the Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand. In this role, I specialize in the scoping, development, and implementation of innovative projects tailored to New Zealand's specific clinical needs in breast cancer. This involves close collaboration with patients, healthcare consumers, clinicians, researchers, and government agencies. By ensuring that suitable research projects are supported by BCFNZ, we aim to bring cutting-edge health science to New Zealanders with the ultimate goal of improving their health outcomes.

mi Akomolafe is a passionate cancer research advocate and global health consultant
dedicated to transforming the landscape of cancer care in Africa and beyond.
Jesutomi has had an incredible run in Nigeria's journalism space up until 2022 when his close
friend died from Breast Cancer at a time when the doctors were on strike in Nigeria.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication, professional training in Public
Health, Cancer Research, Clinical trial, Communication and Health Advocacy. A recognized
voice in the fight against global health inequity Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical trials, Jesutomi
serves on advisory board of People Living with Non Communicable Disease in Nigeria, he is a
member of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and Ashburn Professional Speaker
Club.
Jesutomi's efforts extend beyond borders; he has collaborated with organizations in America,
and Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Benin Republic) advocating for
equity in cancer care.
With a unique blend of expertise in Public Health Advocacy and journalism, he has committed
his life to supporting underserved cancer patients. Through his work with Nigerian Cancer
Society, Help The Pediatrician, The Guardian, Lagos Urban Study Group, University of Lagos,
Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation in Irede and Trials of Color, Jesutomi has
pioneered initiatives that provide cancer screenings to rural men and women, empowering
communities with vital health information.
He is a firm believer that a change mindset is all you need to change a narrative. And our zip
code, race, religion or colour, should not define how we are passive, treat and receive medical
treatment.

Julia Laursen, Nebraska, U.S.A.

In January 2021, Nebraska native Julia Laursen was diagnosed with stage III-C inflammatory breast cancer at just 32 years old. Julia had to seek out support through online resources as a result of receiving treatment during the COVID pandemic. Her involvement with online support resources led Julia to realize just how much so many patients didn't know about breast cancer, including herself. As a nurse-by-trade, Julia’s personal mission quickly evolved into educating as many people as possible about her own rare and deadly type of cancer, as well as about the overall young adult cancer experience. To gain knowledge, Julia attended conferences and cancer camps for young adult cancer patients. She has attended the International Inflammatory Breast Cancer Symposium, The Ultimate IBC Meetup, True North Treks, Mary’s Place by the Sea, Project Koru, First Descents, and ASCO’s Annual Meeting.

All of this self-sought education led Julia to many unique opportunities. She has been featured on the Face of Hope campaign at Methodist Estabrook, her local cancer center. She hosted an education booth for the IBC Network Foundation My Sister's Keeper walk in 2023, was on a speaker panel at the 2023 NC2 Cancer Summit, and most recently a 2024 Project Lead grad. She started and continues to co-host a monthly online AYA Breast Cancer support group through SHARE Cancer Support. She is currently a co-chair of the working group, partnering with patient-facing groups for ASCOs AYA Co-OP and does Peer to Peer Support for the nonprofit Sharsheret. At the time of writing, Julia has been accepted to participate in A Fresh Chapter’s 2024 Fall Ignite Experience, Bag It’s 2025 Escape to Thrive Leadership Conference, a Base to Summit camp through the Cassie Hines Shoes Cancer Foundation, and a Dear Jack Breathe Now retreat. Through all of these experiences, including becoming an Alamo Advocate, Julia continues to grow her knowledge and find her place in the cancer community, advocating for all breast and AYA cancer patients along the way.

ReShelle Matheny, Illinois

ReShelle L. Matheny is a committed breast cancer advocate from Illinois. Her advocacy journey began after the heartbreaking loss of her sister to metastatic breast cancer. Just three years later, ReShelle herself was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. As a single mother of five, she turned her personal experience into a mission to motivate others affected by breast cancer to take proactive steps.

Understanding the importance of research, ReShelle enrolled in the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s (NBCC) Project LEAD Institute and graduated in 2022. Eager to contribute, she became well-versed in breast cancer science, immunology, epidemiology, and clinical trial design. Equipped with this knowledge, she aimed to return to her community and play an active role in shaping the research landscape.

ReShelle recognized that leadership in policy was just as essential as advocacy in research. In 2023, she graduated from NBCC’s Public Policy Academy and took on the role of Team Leader for NBCC in Illinois. She has since worked to advance critical legislative and policy goals, securing support from key members of Illinois' congressional delegation, even as a newcomer to the field.

In addition to her advocacy work, ReShelle is the author of Take Charge of Cancer and the founder of Warriors Talk Inc., a nonprofit that encourages individuals to adopt healthy habits before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis. She also hosts the weekly radio show and podcast Warriors Talk, where she advocates and inspires her audience through education.

When she’s not advocating for breast cancer research and policy, ReShelle enjoys writing poetry and spending quality time with her children

Nalisha Monroe, Trinidad and Tobago

Nalisha is a dedicated cancer advocate and patient navigator in Trinidad and Tobago. She has been a patient navigator over the last six years with the Caribbean Cancer Research Institute (CCRI) assisting many persons and their families through their cancer journey. Equitable care has been less forthcoming in developing countries such as Trinidad and Tobago as compared to other more developed countries. There are numerous areas where cancer patients have not been afforded the type of care that patients in developed countries can access. As an advocate, Nalisha is determined to assist in closing some of the gaps that exist. Through navigation, she believes that she can empower patients and create a supportive network that enhances the overall quality of life for those affected by cancer.

The hard reality of a cancer journey hit home for her when her father was diagnosed a few years ago, she returned to Trinidad to be the pillar of support that her family needed at that time. After he passed away she continued to be an advocate for the many patients that came through the doors of the cancer treatment centres in Trinidad. Nalisha believes that patient support and guidance can assist in creating better outcomes for the patient and those are the goals that hold her steadfast as a patient advocate and navigator.

To be able to make any substantial improvements the data and the patient experiences must be collated and presented to the right decision-makers. Without the patient being an active partner in the process, there can be no lasting change. Nalisha invites you to join CCRI the fight against cancer, encouraging everyone to stay informed, get involved, and support our patients in this important cause.

Sharon Merritt, U.S.A.

Sharon was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer, after having a mammogram because of a nipple discharge. The surgeon recommended  immediate lumpectomy and radiation. Rather than doing the traditional, she chose a holistic journey, researching everything she could find and threw it at the cancer.  She also did extensive psychotherapy including EMDR to deal with past trauma as there is an emotional link to breast cancer. In 2020 she heard about about a surgeon in Glendale, CA, Dr. Dennis Holmes who did cryoablation. His assistant set up a consult. At the consultation he said he suspected the nipple and areolar skin changes were Paget’s disease of the breast and recommended a biopsy. On Sept 30, 2020, she arrived at Dr. Holmes’s office for cryoablation and to have the Paget’s nipple removed. Following Dr. Holmes’s recommendation, she did 6-months of Herceptin infusions and at six months she had a clear MRI, ultrasound, and biopsy.

November 2022 she was having some shoulder pain, and an abdominal ultrasound was ordered to see if maybe she had a gallstone and she was shocked by the results. Not only did she have a gallstone, but also had a 4 cm spot on her liver and some spots on her lungs. January ‘23 she started Herceptin, Perjeta and Xeloda. By May everything was clear again. She continued on Herceptin and Perjeta. In January ‘24 spots showed up on the lungs and her medication was switched to Kadcyla.

Over the years since diagnosis Sharon has become a Susan Komen Science Advocate. She attends conferences whenever she can. Sharon’s had the privilege of observing  Dr. Holmes perform cryoablation procedures on multiple occasions to support the patient. She also does alternate month webinars with Dr. Holmes educating patients about all facets of breast cancer and together they developed a cape that allows patients to take a shower after surgery without waiting. She spends countless hours on the phone and in her facebook groups answering and encouraging breast cancer patients. And when the opportunity presents itself she connects doctors to doctors and  patients to doctors.

Sharon is a mother of 4 girls, 2 are twins, one is no longer with us and grandma to 7 including boy/girl twins. Sharon has degree in aerospace engineering and holds a California teaching credential in Math/Science.  She believes attitude is everything and can make a difference the quality of life as a cancer patient.              

Renee Nearpass, MSAOM, L.Ac., Ed.M., U.S.A.

In the fall of 2019, at the age of 45, Renee Nearpass was diagnosed with breast cancer. One of her first actions was to reach out to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR), where she engaged in both support and educational services and attended young survivor events. Although she enjoyed these gatherings, Renee felt a deep frustration that so many young women were being diagnosed with breast cancer, which fueled her determination to make a difference.

In the winter of 2023, Renee was invited to join BCCR’s Emerging Leaders program, a year-long training initiative focused on research and advocacy. This program included participation in the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Advocacy Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. As a survivor advocate, Renee recognized the importance of understanding the biology of breast cancer to effectively engage with community leaders and public officials. In 2023, she attended Project LEAD, receiving a comprehensive scientific education. By 2024, Renee was serving on BCCR’s grant review panel, selecting local faculty and student research grant recipients focused on breast cancer. Additionally, she was appointed as BCCR’s Advocacy Committee Co- Chair and selected as an alternate member of the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Board of Directors.

Renee is a licensed acupuncturist in New York State, holding a Master of Science in Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine from the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at the North East School for Health Sciences, and a Master of Education from the University of Buffalo. She has studied abroad at the Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hangzhou, China, and is a published author in the American Acupuncturist. As the owner of a family practice, Renee frequently treats young adult women facing critical health issues, including breast and gynecological cancers. Their stories further inspire her commitment to understanding the science of breast cancer and advocating for research funding and policy changes to eradicate the disease.

Renee’s mission, both professionally and as a breast cancer survivor advocate, is to help people achieve optimal health and live their best lives for themselves and their families.