About Us
Overview
We are a group of women who have gotten together to help women with advanced or metastatic cancer. We had family and friends who lost their battles with cancer while experiencing lack of resources, language barriers, and inadequate access to health care. We would like to do all in our power to help women diagnosed with advanced or metastatic cancer find all the resources and companionship they need during their journey with cancer.
Thank you very much to our team of volunteers, our photographer Alejandra Massacane, and our pianist!
Mission: Our mission is to help women diagnosed with advanced or metastatic cancer improve their quality of life and outcomes through education, companionship, scientific research and integrative support.
Vision: We envision a world in which all those with advanced or metastatic cancer have the resources and companionship they need to thrive while battling cancer.
We are working for a future when nobody will die from cancer!
Board of Directors:
Cynthia R. Barron, MD
Cynthia R. Barron received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Doctor of Medicine from Texas Tech University, Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. Currently, she is a dermatopathology fellow at the University of Rochester Medical Center where she has conducted several research projects involving skin cancer as well as breast cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and risk factor assessment.
Lily G. Carlin, BSc
Lily G. Carlin earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and was past Treasurer of a Parent Teacher Organization. She has over 19 years of experience in microbiology and molecular research at the University of Texas and MD Anderson Cancer Center. She has worked on clinical research projects at MD Anderson and is familiar with building databases (RedCap).
Maria Luisa Murillo, LLM, PhD
Maria Luisa Murillo received a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the University of Houston Law Center and a Doctorate of Law (PhD) degree from the University of Navarra, Faculty of Law, Spain. Currently, she is Professor of Law and Member of the Academic Council of the University of Piura in Peru. Also, she is in corporate and energy law practice. Dr. Murillo has been conducting projects in rural areas in Peru (Cañete) to improve women’s access to education in order to alleviate poverty.
Maricarmen D. Planas-Silva, PhD, MBA
Maricarmen D. Planas-Silva obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Cell Biology from Baylor College of Medicine. In addition, she has a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research, a Master of Business Administration and a Certificate in Oncology Patient Navigation. She conducted her postdoctoral training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has over 18 years of experience in cancer research. As an Assistant Professor at Penn State College of Medicine, she directed and managed a breast cancer research laboratory focused on understanding mechanisms of resistance to hormonal therapies.