Contributors

Lisa Machado

Lisa Machado is the founder of the Canadian CML Network (cmlnetwork.ca), a national patient support organization based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She has been living with chronic myeloid leukemia since 2008. She can be reached at info@cmlnetwork.ca.

Kimberly Brandt

In early 2010, Kim Brandt was diagnosed and treated for stage 1 rectal cancer. However, in 2013, the cancer was discovered to have metastasized, which then required aggressive treatment. Her education and professional career have been focused on urban planning and local government, and she has found her own patient experience eye-opening in respect to understanding the health care community’s physical needs. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog, swimming and a weekly yoga class or two.

Justin Birckbichler

Justin Birckbichler is a fourth grade teacher, testicular cancer survivor and the founder of

Ann Silberman

Ann Silberman, author of the blog Breast Cancer? But Doctor ... I Hate Pink!, has been living with metastatic breast cancer for nearly four years. It took seven chemo regimens, two surgeries, and a bit of SBRT, but she finally got to dance with "NED." Her husband and two children are happy seeing her twirl.

Leslie Waltke

Leslie J. Waltke is a physical therapist with a clinical mastery in oncology. She is a national expert, author, speaker and educator in cancer rehabilitation and is the Cancer Rehabilitation Coordinator for Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Jeannine Walston

Jeannine Walston is an accomplished leader, respected expert and vibrant brain tumor survivor since 1998 as a cancer coach, consultant and speaker. Her extensive work includes for the U.S. Congress, cancer nonprofits, government agencies with NCI, FDA, and NCCAM, hospitals, clinics, doctors, providers, other businesses, cancer patients, caregivers and the public. She has knowledge and insights about research, treatments, integrative cancer care for the whole person and other topics. Learn more at

Paul Pavao

Paul Pavao survived a rare form of leukemia and a stem cell transplant in 2011-2012. He is in remission and recovering from a lymphoma diagnosed in November 2014. He likes to write about his gratefulness to his wife/care partner, the doctors and nurses and to God, who allowed him to go through chemo fearlessly and with joy.

Merle Tessier

Merle Sprinzen Tessier has been a marketing and business strategist in New York City for more than thirty years, and began her career in market research.