Ashley Landi

Ashley Landi currently lives in New York and is a seven-year blood cancer survivor. Less than a week after moving to a different state approximately 600 miles away from home, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in October of 2018. She immediately started with the young adult version of the pediatric chemotherapy protocol and thankfully went into remission fairly quickly. In order to stay in remission, there needed to be further treatment, so she received an allogeneic stem cell transplant six months later, which came from two unrelated donors.
In 2020, while still recovering from the effects of the transplant and sheltering at home because of COVID, she sought support and came across Cactus Cancer Society, known at the time as Lacuna Loft. With the help of their programs, she began to feel less alone and was given tools to begin the healing process from the trauma that cancer has caused. Through the years, she has become passionate about young adult cancer advocacy and volunteers with multiple cancer organizations. In 2025, she was one of two recipients of the Young Adult Cancer Advocacy of the year Award given by Cactus Cancer Society.
She is working as a dental assistant and hopes to receive a master’s degree in social work, so that she can eventually become an oncology social worker. She would like to become a therapist for young adults who are personally affected by cancer. In her spare time, she loves to get together with friends, go hiking, and photograph beautiful scenery.

Xixi Reed

Xixi Reed is a salivary gland cancer survivor whose journey through diagnosis and treatment transformed her into a passionate patient advocate. With a long-standing commitment to non-profit work, Xixi has spent years supporting causes that uplift communities and promote health equity. Her recent experience with cancer deepened her understanding of the patient experience and inspired her to speak out, share her story, and help others navigate their own health challenges. Today, she combines her professional expertise in engineering and regulatory affairs with her personal mission to improve patient-centered care, amplify survivor voices, and support initiatives that drive meaningful change in healthcare.

Jeannette Robinson, MSW

Jeannette Robinson is a 13-year survivor of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). That journey changed her life and deepened her commitment to helping others. She is a proud mom to two amazing sons, Tommy and DJ. She holds a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) and currently works as a social worker serving children and families in her community, a role that brings her purpose and fulfillment every day.
Outside of work, Jeannette enjoys reading, listening to music, taking walks, going on day trips, and spending quality time with friends and family. She has a strong passion for service and believes in the power of human connection to heal, uplift, and inspire.
As a cancer survivor and social worker, Jeannette feels called to be an advocate for others—especially those facing life’s toughest challenges. She’s eager to become more involved in outreach, education, and community support initiatives that empower individuals and families. Whether it’s through one-on-one support or community action, she wants to use her experiences to make a difference and give hope to those who need it most.

Sarah Hurlbut

Diagnosed at the age of 33 in 2020, Sarah Hurlbut is a breast cancer survivor currently residing in western Massachusetts. While she has a day job as a municipal accountant, if able to, she would work full time on her small hobby farm she has with her husband and two children. An avid reader, she is a library trustee in her town and is always looking for a good book! Though work, kids, pets, and her property keep her rather busy, you can usually find her at night reading, watching true crime, or working on a puzzle. Other interests include baking, exercising, and participating in art workshops (usually with Cactus Cancer Society!). She’s always willing to try something new and while she is a bit of an introvert, dark humor, or talking about her animals will help bring her out of her shell.

Christopher Burge

Chris is a stage IV colorectal cancer patient and survivor. He is currently a graduate student in Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Studies at Maynooth University in Maynooth, Ireland. Prior to his move to Ireland, he worked as a middle and high school social studies teacher in Dallas, TX. He achieved a life-long dream in November 2024 when he appeared on Jeopardy! (he blames the loss partially on FOLFOXIRI). Aside from school and losing on television, he enjoys reading, travel, diving, and playing niche sports (currently Australian rules football and rounders).

Mursal

Mursal is a published poet and cancer survivor whose resilience and creativity have profoundly shaped her personal and professional journey. Diagnosed with cancer during her undergraduate studies, she navigated the challenges of treatment while maintaining her academic commitments. This experience not only challenged her strength but also fostered a profound bond with art, nature, and writing, seeing them as essential means of expression and healing.

Upon completing her treatment and earning her degree, Mursal developed a strong commitment to community engagement, with a particular focus on supporting individuals facing similar health challenges. Her dedication to advocacy is reflected in her volunteer work with cancer support groups and mentoring initiatives that aim to empower others through shared experiences and compassion.

Mursal’s debut poetry collection, In Awe of Becoming, published alongside the work of other cancer survivors, showcases her evocative exploration of survival, vulnerability, and hope. Drawing inspiration from the natural world and her own journey, her work resonates with readers for its emotional authenticity.

Today, Mursal spends her free time mentoring young women who are cancer survivors, supporting them through the complexities of recovery and the creative expression process. Through her guidance, she fosters resilience and self-discovery, helping these women find their voices through art and writing while nurturing supportive communities built on empathy and shared experience.

Danielle H.

Danielle was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at 34. She’s now 2.5 years cancer-free and passionate about supporting other young adults navigating cancer. As a school social worker, Danielle has always been driven to help others—and Cactus Cancer Society deepened that passion by introducing her to creative coping through their art programs. Now, as a Rooted Voices Advisory Board member, she’s excited to help expand access to meaningful, age-appropriate support. Danielle lives in D.C. with her cat, Ash (famous for his extra toe and fist bumps), and enjoys kickboxing, crocheting, and spending time with friends and family.