Cancer Advocates and Survivors
Sherry Black, Executive Director, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
“Frosted Pink is a stirring platform to motivate many more women to learn ovarian cancer’s symptoms and how to take action. It also is a stellar example of women’s cancer organizations working together to empower and educate people on women’s cancers,” said Sherry Salway Black, executive director of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.
Sherry Salway Black, an ovarian cancer survivor since 2002, is executive director of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. A member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, Sherry previously served for 19 years as vice president of First Nations Development Institute. Following her recovery from ovarian cancer, Sherry decided to make a career change to “give back to help other women and their family members touched by this disease.” During her tenure at the Alliance, she has led initiatives to educate health care practitioners and others about ovarian cancer’s symptoms and risk factors, shaped public policy efforts to better address the need for federal funding for research, prevention and effective early treatments. She also has led the ovarian cancer community’s development of the first National Agenda for Ovarian Cancer. Sherry sits on a number of nonprofit boards and advisory committees. She has an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She and her husband live in Fredericksburg.
Mike Burg, President and CEO, Edge Marketing
Frosted Pink is the creation of Mike Burg, CEO of Edge Entertainment, a Charlotte, North Carolina based marketing and production firm that specializes in entertainment and sports specials for broadcast, Olympic sport arena Tours, and representation of Olympic athletes primarily in gymnastics and ice skating. As a two-time cancer survivor and someone whose family has been deeply affected by women’s cancers, Burg felt the need to use his expansive broadcast experience and marketing talents to take action. Pulling from his own experiences as a cancer survivor and a dynamic producer who has been redefining television shows for over 20 years, Burg teamed up with four of the nation’s most effective women’s cancer advocacy and educational organizations to develop Frosted Pink, a groundbreaking campaign that combines the power of sport, song, and survivorship to raise awareness of cancers that primarily affect women and inspire action.
Karen Carlson, Executive Director, Gynecologic Cancer Foundation
“Participation in Frosted Pink provides an opportunity for the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation to reach a broader audience,” said Karen Carlson, GCF executive director. “At GCF we believe that knowledge is power, so we greatly appreciate this unique opportunity to empower women to make more informed decisions about their gynecologic health.”
Karen Carlson brings 20 years of experience in advocacy and professional management to her current position. A 1987 graduate of Illinois State University with a B.S In Public Relations, she began her career at the Smith Bucklin and Associates Management Firm where she worked with the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO). When the decision was made by SGO to form a foundation in 1991 to carryout its philanthropic and public awareness purposes, Karen was selected as GCF’s executive director, a position she has continued to hold during the 16 year history of the foundation. During her tenure, the foundation has continued to fulfill its mission is to ensure public awareness of gynecologic cancer prevention, early diagnosis and proper treatment. In 2001, Worth Magazine named GCF as one of the 100 best charities in America. As a testament to her dedication, in 2005 Karen was selected as one of the 100 women in the country who love their work and was featured in “Be Happy at Work: 100 Women Who Love Their Jobs and Why,” written by Joanne Gordon a writer from Forbes Magazine.
Ellen L. Stovall, President & CEO, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
“This program offers a tremendous opportunity for millions of people to learn how important their voices are in the pursuit of quality care for people with cancer,” said Ellen Stovall, President & CEO of NCCS. “We’re proud to take part in it.
Ellen Stovall is a 35-year survivor of three bouts with cancer. In 1992, Ms. Stovall became President & CEO of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), the oldest survivor-led organization advocating for quality cancer care for all Americans. Ms. Stovall also is a member of the Institute of Medicine’s National Cancer Policy Forum, established in May 2005 to succeed the National Cancer Policy Board. Prior to the establishment of the Forum, Stovall was Vice-Chair of the National Cancer Policy Board’s (NCPB) Committee on Cancer Survivorship. As vice-chair of the survivorship committee, Stovall co-edited the Institute of Medicine’s recently released report titled, From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition, which addressed the issues adult cancer survivors face. She also serves as Vice-Chair of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s National Advisory Committee for Pursuing Perfection: Raising the Bar for Health Care Performance. Ms. Stovall served a six-year term on the National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB), an appointment she received in 1992 from President Clinton. Ms. Stovall currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and The Leapfrog Group.
Fran Visco, President, National Breast Cancer Coalition and Fund
"This innovative project has the potential to reach millions of individuals with important messages on women's health," said Fran Visco, president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition.
Fran Visco, a breast cancer survivor since 1987, is the first president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition and Fund, and a member of its board of directors and executive committee. Ms. Visco was a partner in a Philadelphia law firm before leaving law to focus on NBCC/F's work. In 1993, President Clinton appointed Ms. Visco as one of three members of the President's Cancer Panel, and she was the first consumer to chair the Integration Panel of the Department of Defense Peer-Review Breast Cancer Research Program. She co-chaired the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and served on the National Cancer Policy Board. Ms. Visco has been a member of Institute of Medicine panels and has served on other policy committees, including the steering committees of the Breast Cancer International Research Group. She has testified before Congressional committees, has lectured throughout the United States and internationally on the politics of breast cancer and women’s health advocacy issues. Ms. Visco and her husband are residents of Philadelphia and the parents of a 21-year-old son.
