Â鶹ӳ»­

Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Detroit but moved to Spring, Texas early in my childhood. I graduated from Texas A&M University and then headed back up north to attend Notre Dame¡¯s Mendoza College of Business. After graduate school, I moved back to Houston and started working at Simmons & Company International, an energy investment banking firm located right in the center of downtown. My work focuses on the energy service and equipment sector so it¡¯s definitely an interesting time right now! Moving back to Houston has been a blessing as I am back in the same city as my
family. 

What do you like to do for fun?
Travel, travel, travel. I try to get the passport stamped at least a few times a year. I think it¡¯s great to get out of your comfort zone and experience new things, new cultures.

Which country is at the top of your travel bucket list?
I¡¯d have to say Bhutan. I think it would be incredibly interesting to see the cliff-side Buddhist monasteries and experience a culture that has been impacted by globalization less than most.

How did you first hear about MD Anderson?
I knew about MD Anderson early on. Several family friends were treated there. I always knew it to be the place you go to when things are really, really bad. I¡¯d always heard it was the best place to go for cancer treatment. But that really didn¡¯t sink in until I was the one that needed help.

I had just turned 30 and still pretty much thought I was invincible. Then I was diagnosed with melanoma. I was like a deer caught in the headlights. I didn¡¯t know what to do.

I ended up going to my boss to talk to him about my diagnosis. He¡¯s a member of MD
´¡²Ô»å±ð°ù²õ´Ç²Ô¡¯²õ Board of Visitors and I knew he would understand the anxiety and fear of my recent diagnosis. He took me by the arm and said ¡°We¡¯re going to take care of this.¡± A few days later I was at MD Anderson.

What was it like being a patient at MD Anderson?
The compassion and professionalism of the doctors and staff at MD Anderson are unparalleled. Before I could even ask my doctor questions or voice my concerns and fears, she spouted the exact answers I needed to hear. I was blown away by the integrity and kindness of everyone I met during my treatment. I¡¯m proud to say that I¡¯m doing well. As a survivor, I know it¡¯s my turn to give back and spread the word
about MD Anderson and its¡¯ world-class patient care programs and prevention
initiatives.

Has it been easy to get involved, as a relatively new member of the Advance Team?
This is my second year as an Advance Team member. Before I joined the Advance Team, life, work and other obligations limited the time I had to be super hands on when it came to events. I decided it was time for me to start making time for the things that are most important to me.

What comes to mind when you think about MD ´¡²Ô»å±ð°ù²õ´Ç²Ô¡¯²õ 75th Anniversary Celebration?
Gratitude. I¡¯m extremely grateful to the doctors, nurses, researchers and staff who have served MD Anderson over the past 75 years and have built the institution into the world class center it is today. It¡¯s incredible to see how much progress we¡¯ve made in the fight against cancer. I¡¯m excited to take part in the 75th Anniversary celebrations, both as a survivor and a member of the Advance Team.

Why did you decide to chair the Advance Team¡¯s Boot Walk for a Cure team?
The first annual Boot Walk for a Cure is going to be a phenomenal event. It wraps up the 75th Anniversary week of celebrations and gives everyone the opportunity to show support for cancer survivors, those going through treatment and spread a message of prevention. We¡¯re really excited about taking part in the Boot Walk and I¡¯m confident that the Advance Team will bring plenty of awareness and fundraising support.

Describe yourself in three words.
Open, passionate and fun-loving.

What message, if any, would you share with our patients and donors?
To the patients: You are exactly where you need to be.  To the donors: The story of a single patient is inspiration, and MD Anderson enables thousands of these stories every
year.