Number of years as a cancer survivor: Four years

How many years have you been a VICC research advocate?  Two

Why did you become a VICC research advocate?

I am a recently retired Academic Dean, and before retiring, I spent over 35 years as an academic. In 2008 my life was turned upside down when I heard five words from my surgeon following a biopsy: “You have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma” or Stage IIB breast cancer.

Number of years as a cancer survivor: one

How many years have you been a VICC research advocate?  3 months

Why did you become a VICC research advocate?

After my excellent care at VICC and recovery from cancer, I felt the obligation and responsibility to give back and help others with their cancer experience.  I am excited to be a research advocate and be able to speak on behalf of patients as researchers continue to find new treatments and cures for cancer.

Prior to her breast cancer diagnosis 12 years ago, Janet was active in several health and cancer related volunteer activities for over 15 years, including serving as a committee member for the TJ Martell Foundation, an entertainment industry foundation for cancer research. Her breast cancer advocacy experience began in 2006 when she joined the Breast SPORE advocacy program and participated in the filming of a video by cancer survivors on clinical trials.

As a breast cancer survivor since 1999, Patty has shared her experiences and knowledge in a variety of venues, both professionally and personally. She received a M.L.S. degree from the University of Texas, and has been a medical librarian for over 25 years working closely with the cancer research community. Patty joined the VICC Breast SPORE in 2005 as a research advocate, participates in the SPORE research and advocate meetings, and facilitated advocate training on accessing scientific online resources.

A breast cancer survivor and an active member of the breast cancer community, Lynne brings many years advocacy experience to the SPORE advocacy program. Shortly after her diagnosis in 1996, she became involved with the Tennessee chapter of the Breast Cancer Coalition, serving in many capacities as board member, board president and executive director. In 2004, Lynne became the first Breast SPORE research advocate while she continued to stay involved with other national organizations such as the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

Wally Wilson is a musician, producer, publisher and songwriter based in Nashville, TN. Wally began his career as a musician during the “heyday” of honkytonks in Texas. Wally moved to Nashville from Dallas in 1980 with nothing more than his pickup truck and a hunger for the music business. He began his Nashville career as a janitor at Tree Publishing, country music’s largest publisher. He worked his way up at Tree, becoming a staff songwriter and writing hits for dozens of stars in the country and pop world. Wally began producing records.

A two-time cancer survivor of stage 4 colorectal cancer and a patient of GI SPORE Principal Investigator Jordan Berlin, M.D., Wade is committed to giving back in any way possible as he is convinced he would not be alive if not for the cancer treatment he received at VICC. The Nashville singer/songwriter found inspiration through his cancer journey and the advice to “go life your life” given to him by Dr. Berlin when he was declared cancer free after 3 years. That advice turned into a song and the title track of his newest album entitled Go Live Your Life.

As a 13-year metastatic colorectal cancer survivor, Ron is passionate about colon cancer research and educating the public on the importance of prevention and early detection. His research advocacy experience began in 2006 when he became an active member of the GI SPORE research advocacy program. Ron has been a speaker at the GI SPORE External Advisory Board Meeting, the Research Advocacy Network presentation at VICC, the Primary Care Update: CRC Screening and Prevention conference, and was featured in an Ayers Institute story by the Ivanhoe Medical News Service.

Soon after her husband’s diagnosis of colon cancer in 2002, Diane became interested in cancer research and clinical trials. Inspired by her husband’s hope that his involvement in clinical research might help others in the future, Diane became involved in the research advocacy program at VICC. Since his death in 2003, Diane has continued to be active in the Vanderbilt GI Cancer SPORE advocacy activities, including attending quarterly advocate meetings, SPORE project meetings, ESAB meetings and seminars.