Assertiveness is Not Aggression: Accessible Strategies to Advocate for Quality Care

Utilizing over 17 years of medical education experience, Gary has developed a unique skill in forming, facilitating, and nurturing community collaborations to support mutually beneficial outcomes. He is an expert in identifying unmet educational needs, navigating sensitivities and co-creating alliances that strive to lift levels of knowledge. Gary applies his passion for co-creation and scientific rigor to all partnerships and the collaborations he supports.

Megan-Claire Chase is a patient, advocate, writer, and speaker and lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She was diagnosed with breast cancer (stage IIA invasive lobular) in 2015 and became heavily involved in patient advocacy and research post-treatment. She is a powerful public speaker, contributing writer for WebMD and blogger of Life on the Cancer Train. Her work has been featured in national press including The New York Times and People Magazine.

Kelly Cuvar serves as a political consultant and healthcare policy advisor based in Washington, DC.  She was diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma in 1999 when she was a teenager and has never been in remission.  She completed two years of chemotherapy in early 2021 and is at present recuperating in her native Ohio, having most recently been in Boston for a Phase One chemotherapy trial. 

Colin Ferro is the Director of Operations for Epic Experience. During college, Colin’s brother was diagnosed with testicular cancer leading him to pivot his career from the corporate world to the non-profit space. Caregiving for his brother is where Colin found his passion for positively impacting lives within the adult cancer community. Colin has been leading the programs for Epic Experience expanding the offerings from in-person camps to virtual experiences and regional meetups over the past 7 years. Colin has been actively involved in the Board of Directors leading retreats, providing a vision for the future and engaging with key stakeholders. Colin believes that life is about shared perspectives and he is passionate about bringing the cancer community together where they can learn, support and empower one another beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Nancy founded Epic Experience in 2012,  after her oldest son was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2007.  She watched the aftermath after treatment was done and the realization that life as a 23 year old now looks much different.   Her years of experience in event planning and fundraising, along with a wonderful couple, Mark and Amy Wilhelm, led her to start Epic Experience. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys being with her horse Kate and of course her grandson.