Say YES to Hope has never been built around a desk or a title. It is built around people — survivors, caregivers, advocates, volunteers, friends, and family who understand that sometimes the most important thing we can offer is a familiar face and a hand to hold.
Some bring lived cancer experience. Some bring clinical knowledge, advocacy, creativity, logistics, or a lifetime of simply showing up. Together, these are a few of the familiar faces who have helped shape Say YES to Hope.
A longtime survivor of advanced metastatic colorectal cancer, Suzanne built Say YES to Hope from lived experience. Her work centers on helping patients find the right people, the right questions, and possibilities they may not yet know exist.
Ronnie is the steady hand behind countless Say YES to Hope events, projects, and big ideas. An electrical engineer by training and fixer by nature, he has spent years quietly making sure the pieces come together.
A breast and ovarian cancer survivor whose life was changed by genetic testing, Kathy brings knowledge, calm, and fierce advocacy to patients and families navigating inherited risk, biomarkers, and next questions.
Katie brings both lived experience and a practical helping hand to Say YES to Hope. A cervical cancer survivor, she helps connect people with resources while carrying forward a survivor’s belief that those who have made it through should help light the way for those coming behind them.
An Emmy Award-winning videographer, John has helped Say YES to Hope preserve the voices, stories, educational moments, and memories that make this community human.
Darlene has helped make patients feel welcomed and cared for through fashion events, retreats, photography, last-minute fixes, and years of friendship and service. She is one of the dependable familiar faces who has helped bring warmth and joy to Say YES to Hope gatherings.
Jean came to Say YES to Hope through her own colorectal cancer journey and became an advocate for the broader cancer community. Her reassuring presence, guided imagery, and survivor perspective help people feel less alone.
Jo has been part of Say YES to Hope almost from the beginning—supporting meetings, advocacy days, patient luncheons, retreats, fashion shows, conferences, and whatever else needed a willing pair of hands.
A retired home-health and oncology nurse, Karen has shared her time, creativity, and patient-centered perspective across Say YES to Hope events and projects for years.
Diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer while raising four children, Brian has spent years sharing what he learned with others. He brings lived experience, advocacy, and a deep understanding of what it means to search for options.
A Stage IV colorectal cancer survivor, Suzanne has long shared the importance of multidisciplinary treatment and liver-directed therapies. She has been a FRIEND, speaker, and source of encouragement to patients for more than a decade.
Carla has lent her beautiful voice and generous spirit to conferences, retreats, fashion shows, fundraisers, and special moments—helping create the warmth and emotion people remember.
Evie is one of those people who makes hope feel tangible. She dreams big, makes the goodies, becomes Suzanne’s sidekick whenever something needs doing, and somehow turns an idea into a memory people carry home. She and Billy became family to Say YES to Hope, bringing generosity, laughter, music, holiday magic, Ride for Hope, and countless helping hands.
Billy’s love and legacy remain part of every bit of magic Evie continues to create.
You do not have to arrive knowing the right question, the right specialist, or the right next step. Start with a conversation. We will meet you there.