Letter from Christopher Terry, MD – President

Hello AYACC!

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as the next president of the AYACC. 

The field of AYA Oncology has grown tremendously over the past 25 years; driven forward by pioneers in the field who are committed to improving care for adolescents and young adults with cancer. My introduction to AYA Oncology occurred during my Internal Medicine – Pediatrics residency training. I was so inspired by the courage and resilience of young adults who were facing the unique challenges that are presented with a cancer diagnosis. During fellowship, my passion for sports and interest in exercise oncology led me to start a non-profit organization called Athletes Fighting Cancer, which has provided further insight into the patient’s journey and need for advocacy. I currently treat patients and serve as the Medical Director for Hematology & Oncology at Sturdy Health, a community-based healthcare system serving southern New England. I feel fortunate to add this executive role with the AYACC to my career journey.  

Lauren Lux and prior leaders have built a foundation for the early stages of the AYACC, and we are now entering a critical phase in which we can add to the momentum that has been generated. I hope my medical background, experience in the non-profit space and commitment to advancing AYA care will translate to effective leadership over the next two years. My goal is to promote an organizational culture of integrity, transparency, and a relentless commitment to improving the lives of AYAs by supporting the professionals who care for them. We want to empower every member to use your voice and develop meaningful relationships within the organization that will advance our collective efforts. 

It is truly a privilege to work with our amazing board of directors and our new managing director, Rachel Westlake to serve members of the AYACC. I look forward to growing the field of AYA oncology and improving care for adolescents and young adults with cancer together. Let’s get to work!

Sincerely,

Christopher Terry, MD

Letter from Abby Westerman – Treasurer

It is an honor to serve as Treasurer of the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Coalition (AYACC).  I am excited to leverage both my personal lived experience as a caregiver and bereaved parent of a young adult, as well as my professional experience as a project manager and nonprofit professional to improve the AYA cancer experience. Following my daughter’s cancer diagnosis, I saw the many challenges she experienced as a young adult. Losing her and knowing the experience could have been better fuels my passion and commitment to create change for other AYAs. 

I believe AYACC can play a vital role in connecting, organizing and empowering our community so we can all better serve the AYA cancer population and more equitably equip the professionals that serve them. In my professional career, I have seen the tremendous value that comes from stakeholder collaboration. It fosters a broader understanding of the diversity of needs and challenges that exist, and it ensures more informed, effective and affordable solutions. 

Building strong collaborations begins with building trust. With limited resources and much work to be done together in the community, there is a balance that must be struck between finding resources to move the AYACC mission forward while not taking away from all the amazing work already being done. In my role as Treasurer, I plan to leverage my decades of project management, budgeting, oversight and reporting experience to serve as your trusted steward of the funds we receive, ensuring the budgeting and allocation of funds aligns with our mission, that reporting is timely to keep the organization running and in compliance, and ensure we provide a level of financial transparency that builds trust with our sponsors, partners and stakeholders. 

I look forward to helping AYACC create a bright and collaborative future for our entire community.

With Gratitude, 

Abby Westerman 

Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Coalition (AYACC) 

Letter from Rachel Westlake

Dear AYACC Community, 

I am thrilled to step into the role of Managing Director of the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Coalition (AYACC). My involvement with AYACC began as a program planning committee member, assisting with our inaugural meeting. I then briefly served as treasurer from January to April 2024. You can learn more about me and my work as a health care self-advocacy educator and coalition leader on my website and LinkedIn profile.

AYACC’s cross-professional and diverse membership is integral to our mission. As a two-time adolescent and young adult cancer survivor, I understand the importance of professionals having the resources and support they need to deliver quality care to AYAs. In this new role, I am committed to helping AYACC tackle significant initiatives, advance our objectives, and, with the board, enhance value for our members. I will focus on strengthening our mission delivery through leadership, operational oversight, strategic support, and project management.

I look forward to continuing our work to positively impact the lives of adolescents and young adults affected by cancer and the professionals who support them. We have an outstanding board and executive officers—Kayla Fulginiti, Heather Hightower, and Abby Westerman, who was recently elected to take my place as treasurer. I’m excited to collaborate with them and all our board members and to work closely with our new president, Dr. Christopher Terry.

Warm regards, 

Rachel Westlake
Managing Director
Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Coalition (AYACC)