The WYCC Steering Committee is responsible for making key operational decisions in conjunction with the coalition to guide cancer prevention and control efforts and accomplish the mission set forth in the Wyoming Cancer Control Plan. They focus efforts on developing priorities and increasing the visibility of the coalition and monitoring and evaluating the plan for progress on outcomes. They support the implementation of practices to help sustain WYCC efforts and monitor the progress of the WYCC, ensuring timely action on issues raised during meetings. The committee is also responsible for attending steering committee meetings as well as coalition meetings, recruit new members and organizations, appoint committees, as necessary, and communicate the mission and vision of the coalition.

Steering committee members meet at least quarterly, with two face-to-face meetings held in conjunction with the bi-annual WYCC meetings and two conference calls.  Additional meetings or calls may be scheduled based on work projects. Members are also asked to serve a two-year term, which may be renewed.

WYCC Steering Committee Members

Lisa Eades

Co-Founder, Volunteer President/CEO

Jason’s Friends Foundation

Lisa Eades is a co-founder and volunteer President/CEO of Jason’s Friends Foundation – a non-profit that provides financial resources for Wyoming families who have children suffering from life-threatening brain or spinal tumors and other childhood cancers.  Jason’s Friends was established in 1996.

In addition to her work with Jason’s Friends Foundation, Lisa co-chairs the Wyoming Cancer Coalition. She has a passion for cancer prevention and control, especially childhood cancers. Lisa helped establish Camp Courage Wyoming in 2012 – Wyoming’s only childhood cancer camp.  She serves on the Wyoming Department of Health’s Institutional Review Board.  Lisa also serves on the Wyoming Palliative Care Advisory Council, appointed by Governor Mead. 

Lisa is part of the Wyoming Cancer Coalition’s Childhood Cancer workgroup.  Five year goals are to expand resources for patients and families, including palliative care and end of life care and to provide hands on training for healthcare providers related to childhood cancer and post survivorship needs.

Lisa and her husband Rocky are Jason’s parents as well.  Tragically, Jason lost his battle with a brain tumor at the age of nine, in 1995. Jason’s Friends Foundation was created in Jason’s name to help Wyoming families who have children with cancer.  Jason’s Friends currently has 145 families enrolled and has provided nearly $6 million in financial assistance.

 

Joe Grandpre, Phd, MPH

Chronic Disease and Maternal Child Health Epidemiology
Wyoming Department of Health

Joe became interested in cancer prevention and control because cancer is the second leading cause of death in Wyoming and because it sucks. He joined the WYCC because Chris Thomas asked him to join in 2002. Joe would tell individuals interested in joining the WYCC that while there have been many strides in treating cancer in the last decades we still need to work on prevention. We will never prevent all cancers but delaying cancer as long as possible is a worthwhile and noble goal for all of us.

R.J. Ours

Colorado & Wyoming Government Relations Director
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

R.J. Ours is the Colorado & Wyoming Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and has been with ACS CAN and the American Cancer Society since 2004.

Before coming to the Cancer Society, R.J. worked previously as a Research Analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures, as Director of Special Projects to former Colorado Lt. Governor Mike Callihan, as an appointive aide to former Denver City Council Members Polly Flobeck and Ramona Martinez, and as Director of Public & Intragovernmental Relations to former Denver City Auditor Don Mares.

As an undergraduate, R.J. attended the Washington Semester Program at American University in Washington, D.C. in 1980, where he served as a congressional intern in the office of former Colorado Third District Congressman Ray Kogovsek.

A 54-year Colorado resident, R.J. grew up in Chaffee County, graduating from Salida High School in 1977, and the College of Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the spring of 1981.  R.J. resides in Denver with his wife, Tammy, and their children; Jake, 25, and Audrey, 24.

Kelly Sugihara

Regional Coordinator
Wyoming Cancer Resource Services

Kelly Sugihara is the Cancer Resource Coordinator with Wyoming Cancer Resource Services Region V, which consists of Sweetwater, Sublette, Uinta, Lincoln and Teton Counties. Kelly educates the community on cancer screenings, cancer-related topics and is an advocate for the HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccine. Early detection is key so offering free screenings to those that qualify throughout her region is a daily part of her job.

Kelly is also a HPV-related cervical cancer survivor and is passionate about educating  youth and parents on the importance of the HPV vaccine.

Kelly has been with the Wyoming Cancer Resources Services since July of 2018 and is actively engaged throughout her region to make a difference. The fiscal agent for WCRS Region V is with the Sweetwater Regional Cancer center located in Rock Springs, WY.

Christina Turpin

Senior Manager for Cancer Control Strategic Partnerships

American Cancer Society

Christina is the Senior Manager for Cancer Control Strategic Partnerships with the American Cancer Society (ACS). She leads efforts across Idaho and Wyoming to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. Christina has been with the American Cancer Society for 11 years and started her career with ACS in Baltimore, Maryland before relocating home to Idaho in 2013. She advances work across Idaho and Wyoming with a focus on cancer screening, HPV vaccination, survivorship quality of life, access to care, and health equity. She graduated from Penn State University in 2008 and was inducted into the University’s Senior Honor Society for her service and leadership to the University. Christina resides in Boise, Idaho and enjoys spending time with her family out in the woods, on the lake, or cheering on Penn State Football.

John van Doorninck, MD

Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist
Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children
Dr. John van Doorninck is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist with Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children. He became interested in cancer prevention and control because as a pediatric oncologist practicing in the state of Wyoming, he is committed to minimizing cancer burden for the residents of this state, both adult and pediatric. This goal includes initiatives aimed at cancer prevention, early detection, and increased support for those diagnosed with cancer.
 
He first became involved in the WYCC to help promote pediatric cancer policies and initiatives in the state’s cancer control plan. However, as his involvement grew, his role expanded to become a member of the steering committee, and later as one of the three co-chairs of the organization.
 
He believes cancer will inevitably affect our lives, be it through a personal diagnosis of cancer or a loved one being diagnosed with cancer. Joining the WYCC allows one to take a proactive approach to cancer’s inevitable presence in our lives. Its members create and implement the state’s Cancer Control Plan. In so doing, WYCC members have a voice in caring for themselves, their loved ones, and members of their community.

Val Walsh-Haines

Prevention & Wellness, Cancer Prevention Specialist, Wyoming Cancer Resource Services Region III Coordinator
Cody Regional Health
Val is the Wyoming Cancer Resource Services Region IV Coordinator. She became interested in cancer prevention and control because she believes most of us have been touched by cancer in some way and the impact of a cancer diagnosis can be devastating for the patient, their friends and family and the community. She also believes promoting cancer screenings and early detection is important to improving the outcomes of any cancer diagnosis.   Although Wyoming provides free screenings to qualified residents, the state still trails behind most states in regards to recommended cancer screenings. Education is key to increasing Wyoming’s screening rates.
 
She joined the WYCC because she believes the group does great work providing valuable information to all of its members regarding, not only statewide initiatives, but also national resources and training opportunities. The coalition meetings and trainings are invaluable to keeping up with new priorities in cancer prevention and control. The networking is very worthwhile as our membership is representing the entire state.
 
She would encourage interested individuals to join because in our rural state, the importance of having a statewide organization to educate stakeholders about the trends, trainings, and advancements in cancer care are imperative. The coalition offers many ways to support their efforts – joining a workgroup centered on your area of interest, providing opportunities to share your trainings and events, and access to toolkits and data on a variety of cancer topics.
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