Team

Erin has been a cancer survivor for more than 50 years. Diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s in 1972 at the age of 15, Erin underwent surgery, radiation, and MOPP chemotherapy. She had two recurrences of the disease and has had multiple late effects over the years. Erin holds a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) and is a Licensed Clinical Social worker (LCSW). She worked for many years as a volunteer and instructor with the Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program in Lincoln, MA. She lives with her family on Martha’s Vineyard island in Massachusetts.

Karla was diagnosed with HL as a teenager in 1976 and treated with surgery and mantle radiation. She has experienced a variety of late effects and explored allopathic solutions and complementary therapies in order to live a healthy life. Karla is an educator with a lifelong career in New York State public schools. She has been involved with HL survivorship advocacy and support since 2013. She lives in New York State’s Capital District.

While studying law in 1983, Sandi was diagnosed with HL. After a lymphangiogram and a staging laparotomy, she was treated with radiation and went on to finish her education and start a career. Twenty-five years later she began her ongoing struggle with a series of late effects. Sandi continues to practice law since 1985, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Sophia was diagnosed with HL as a teenager in 1975 and treated with MOPP/ABVD and radiation at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital. She has experienced a variety of late effects including breast cancer diagnosis in 1996. Following this second cancer diagnosis, Sophia left a successful career in information technology at IBM to pursue her MSW and PhD in social work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  She is an Associate Professor at the Duke School of Nursing where she teaches and conducts research that blends her love for technology with a passion for helping others.

Diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at age 16 in 1988, she was treated with mantle radiation; two years later, stage 3B, with a splenectomy, LOPP/EVAP chemotherapy. She has experienced a number of long-term effects, including breast cancer and heart and lung issues. Katherine currently lives in the UK working as a Counsellor & Assistant Manager for a Young People’s Counselling Service and administrates a Facebook support group for the Late Effects of Hodgkin Lymphoma treatment. She was also on Macmillan’s Patient reference group for “The Consequences of Treatment/VMDT project.”

Tess was diagnosed with stage 1A HL in 1982 at the age of 18, early in her medical training. She was treated with splenectomy and mantle field radiotherapy. She lives and works as a general practitioner in Oxfordshire, England, and has a special interest in end of life care. Because of her personal insights into late effects, she feels passionate about education and provision of information to healthcare professionals and patients alike.

Cathy was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 1989 at the age of 29. She was treated with mantle radiotherapy but suffered a recurrence in 1993 when her first daughter was born. ABVD chemo followed, as well as the birth of her second daughter. In 2007, Cathy was diagnosed with an invasive breast cancer. She has had a number of additional late effects from her earlier cancer treatment. Cathy has had a career in Aerospace Materials Management and in working for orthopedic surgeons. She is now enjoying a “retirement job” doing merchandising for a specialty deli. Cathy has volunteered for many cancer organizations since her diagnosis. She lives in north east Pennsylvania.

In 1989, at the age of 24, Rachel was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma as she was beginning her career as an Optical Engineer. Treated with mantle radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she has since experienced several long-term effects such as breast cancer and radiation fibrosis. Throughout her career, Rachel has worn many hats, including working as a technical project manager and starting her own business in 2002 as a muralist, furniture refinisher, and painting teacher. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, and enjoys connecting in person with her fellow survivors.