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Lisa McLaughlin, President
(Lisa McLaughlin - MOCA President, right, pictured with Merle Rosenberg formerly MOCA Co-President) Lisa McLaughlin's life was touched by ovarian cancer in October of 2000, when her step mom, Jane Franczyk, was diagnosed with the disease in stage IIIC. Her step mom battled the illness for 14 months with the love and support of her family, before her death at age 54. Since that time, Lisa has worked with MOCA to spread awareness about the warning signs of ovarian cancer and the need for a reliable screening test. Lisa’s memories and love for her step mom keep her dedication to this disease close to her heart.
Lisa was a first grade teacher for over ten years. In 2000, she was awarded the Janesville Elementary Teacher of the Year and the Herb Kohl Fellowship in the State of Wisconsin. Lisa is currently taking time off from her teaching career to raise her son Blane. This also allows her to devote more time to MOCA. Additionally, Lisa was recognized in Minnesota Monthly magazine in 2005 for Heart of the Event Award, recognizing her extraordinary commitment to MOCA and for creating MOCA’s benefit “Calling All Angels” in memory of her stepmother Jane Franczyk. Lisa also serves as the Co-Chair of the Silent No More Walk/Run.
Lisa and her husband Jeff have a three-year old son, Blane and live in a house they designed in Minnetrista. Lisa feels blessed to be living in Minnesota where she can be close to her family and friends. Lisa is very active and her hobbies include running and mountain biking. Lisa is honored to be serving as MOCA's president and feels that MOCA can make a difference in her community.
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Sarah Noonan, Vice President
Sarah Noonan was diagnosed with Stage IC ovarian cancer (endometrial Adenocarcenoma) on June 3rd, 2003 at the age of 31. She discovered MOCA when she was introduced to another young survivor shortly after her diagnosis. Since then she has been actively involved in the Young Survivor Network, Ovarian Cancer Survivors Training Medical Students at the University of Minnesota, and other awareness & advocacy activities through MOCA. Because of her early stage diagnosis and excellent prognosis, she is grateful everyday for the gift of life and wants to do what she can to help other women fight this terrifying disease.
Professionally, Sarah received her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland in 1996. Currently, she is a co-owner of Health Esteem Services, LLC, where she provides physical therapy to clients in their homes. In her free time, Sarah enjoys doing house projects, golfing & camping with her husband Mike, and she treasures spending time with her family and friends.
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Janice Born
Janice Born is a Senior Account Executive for Interwoven, a software company in the Enterprise Content Management area. She has 20 years of experience in sales and marketing in the technology industry, at various hardware and software companies. She has won numerous achievement awards for sales excellence over the years. Janice has been involved with MOCA since 2001. For the past several years, she has served as co-chair of the Silent No More Walk Run. Janice enjoys her work with MOCA and supporting her friends who are fighting ovarian cancer. Hobbies include spending time at her cabin, boating, golfing and spoiling her dog, Darby.
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Joseph R. Cade
Mr. Cade is an attorney who helped his wife, Molly, form Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance, Inc. [MOCA] in 1999 and has provided legal advice to the organization since its inception. He was born in St. Paul and currently resides in Lakeville. Since his admission in 1976, he has practiced law in several Minnesota communities, primarily in litigation, both criminal and civil. He is currently a shareholder in the law firm of Eastlund, Solstad, Cade & Hutchinson, Ltd. He has served on numerous community based non-profit boards and has been a member of the MOCA board for the past three years. His wife, Molly, who died in December, 2003, was the first President of MOCA. Mr. Cade has two children and four stepchildren.
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Judy Dockendorf
Judy was diagnosed with stage IIC ovarian cancer in November of 1999. Judy feels fortunate to be involved with MOCA and to have a closeness with the staff and survivors. “It fills me up.”
Judy is a retired Health and Physical Education teacher of 31 years, most of them spent at the high school level. Of the 31 years, she spent five years as the Athletic Director of Mens’ and Womens’ Athletic’s Department at Minneapolis Edison High School. Judy ended her career as the Dean of Student at Edison High School for three years. Judy spent 26 years as a Head Coach of Women’s Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, and Softball. Judy and her teams participated in the state tournament for six years (four in basketball and two in volleyball.)
Judy spends almost all of her time at her cabin with her partner, Sara, and her beautiful and so sweet golden retriever, “Sophie.” While at her cabin, she enjoys playing golf, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
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Ellen Kleinbaum
Ellen Kleinbaum was diagnosed with stage IIIc ovarian cancer July 29, 1991 at the age of 42. She recurred in 1993 and 1994. Her cancer has been found to be genetic. Ellen volunteered at the University of Minnesota weekly with a social worker providing support to other ovarian cancer survivors and their families. She is pleased to be serving on the MOCA board.
Ellen has a BA in accounting and is the controller at the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, a non-profit organization serving the Jewish community here and abroad. During her free time she enjoys her 4 grandchildren, practicing yoga, reading and traveling. She has been to Israel 5 times since her diagnosis.
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Susan Kushner
Susan was diagnosed with a stage IIIC, grade 3 Ovarian Cancer in March of 1997. After many recurrences and more than 100 treatments, she still takes an active part in MOCA and everyday life. She is one of the founding members of MOCA and was treasurer for 3 years. Susan has always been an active volunteer and has been on the board of directors of the Sisterhood of Temple of Aaron in St. Paul for many years and volunteers on a weekly basis in their gift shop. She is also on the board of directors of the Chai Aviva branch of the St. Paul Chapter of Hadassah. Susan and her husband Barry have been the co-chairs of the MOCA golf shootout since its inception.
Susan is thankful for her wonderful husband Barry, their two adult children and other family and friends for all their support through this journey.
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Dona Maki, R.N., B.A.N., O.C.N.
Dona started in Gyn-Oncology nursing in 1981 at the University of Minnesota. She has worked in different positions - staff nurse, Assistant Nurse Manager, and the last 10 years as a Program Coordinator in Women’s Cancer at Fairview University Medical Center. Dona is a member of the Society of Gynecological Nurse Oncologists [SGNO] and the local chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society. Dona recently was a delegate to Russia with the People to People Program to look at oncology nursing in Russia. Dona completed her BAN in 1977 from the College of St. Catherine, has been an Oncology Certified Nurse [OCN] since 1992 and has been a Cancer Chemotherapy Provider since 2001.
Dona’s hobbies include traveling, bridge, fishing, golf and the Green Bay Packers. Dona and her husband live in Minneapolis and are grandparents of three.
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Susan McIntyre, M.N., A.N.P.
Sue McIntyre started as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gynecologic Oncology in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at the University of Minnesota in May 1983. She joined Doctor John Savage in his private practice in August 1988. She presently serves as president of the Society of Gynecologic Nurse Oncologists and is active in the Metro Minnesota chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society. Sue completed her BSN at St. Olaf College in 1976, her Masters degree in Nursing at UCLA in 1982, a certificate program in Enterostomal Therapy at USC in December 1981, and the nurse practitioner program at the College of St Catherine in June 1987. Sue's hobbies include scuba diving, canoeing, hiking, cooking and sewing.
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Terry Richardson
Terry was diagnosed with Stage IIC Ovarian cancer in May, 2004 at 44 years old. She became involved with MOCA about one year after treatment when she was feeling physically and mentally well enough to “give back”, and join the fight against Ovarian Cancer. It was through MOCA that she learned she wasn’t “unique” in her experience. All survivors’ stories share similar problems in the areas of symptom detection, early diagnosis, or treatment. She is determined to help educate women and their physicians about this disease, and help fix these problems.
Terry lives in the western suburbs with her husband and daughters, ages 7 & 17. She worked for 20 years in the business arena, most recently as an Information Technology Consultant focusing on business analysis and project management. She has since taken the opportunity to stay at home full-time and focus on her family. She volunteers at school, practices yoga and cherishes time spent with family and friends.
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Tripp Snyder
Tripp Snyder is a practicing attorney and the President of Snyder Hotel Group, a company engaged in the ownership and operation of larger mid-market hotels. He has 30+ years experience as an attorney, and over 25 years experience as a hotel owner and operator. His legal work deals primarily with real estate development of hotels and senior housing projects. In addition to his legal and real estate activities, Tripp has been an advisor to, and Board member of, several high tech start up companies over the last 10 years. As a corollary to his work with start ups, he has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Thomas, teaching Venture Finance to final year MBA students.
Tripp took the place on the MOCA Board of his wife Raine, who died in May of 2006, 3 ½ years after her Stage IV diagnosis. She had been misdiagnosed by six different doctors for the five years prior to that. Tripp also heads the Raine Snyder Fund for MOCA, a foundation established in Raine’s memory to spread MOCA’s Awareness Program beyond women with symptoms and Ob/Gyn physicians to all physicians treating women, so that the mis-diagnosis Raine had will not happen to other women.
Tripp has three children and two grandchildren. He competes in duathlons, and is an active sailor and tennis player.
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Joy Wetzel
Joy Wetzel was diagnosed with Stage IV epithelial ovarian cancer in January 2001 at the age of 57. After a second look surgery, she continued with an additional 6 rounds of chemo and was in remission until December 2005. After another surgery, carboplatin and taxol got her on the road to recovery again. She continues to be optimistic with the advances that are being made medically. She is most concerned that there be a more adequate test for earlier detection for her sisters, nieces and friends. MOCA’s mission is exactly what is in her heart… awareness of symptoms, money for research, and camaraderie for survivors and caregivers. She is a retired teacher, a volunteer Guardian ad Litem for Hennepin County and a volunteer at Sharing and Caring, a homeless center. She is active in MOCA events with her husband, John, who is the “chairman” of a great support system. The "vice chairman" is Jackson, her Golden Retriever.
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Christie Wick
Christie has been an active member of MOCA since her diagnosis of stage
IIc ovarian cancer in November 2004. She was diagnosed at age 34 and has
found great support from MOCA's Young Survivor Network. Christie feels
fortunate for the strength and wisdom she has gained from MOCA members and
is honored to serve on the board of directors.
Christie holds a master's degree in counseling psychology and is a
licensed marriage and family therapist. She is currently taking time off
from her career as a therapist to raise her three-year-old son, Jasper.
She and her husband, Jon, live in South Minneapolis, where they enjoy
canoeing, biking, cross-country skiing, gardening, and spending time with
friends and family.
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