Lauren Creel, MSW, MPH

Lauren was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma at the age of 23.  After treatment, she was inspired to use her personal cancer experience to help other patients, so she returned to academia, earning a Master’s in Public Health and a Master’s in Social Work from San Diego State University.  A few years after her treatment ended, she got involved with the AYA cancer community through a wilderness retreat.  The interaction with others her age who had gone through cancer helped her to process her own experiences and begin the healing process.  She is passionate about cancer survivorship, specifically issues of isolation, resilience, fear of recurrence, and advocacy for AYAs with cancer which is why she is thrilled to be at Cactus Cancer Society.

Prior to her time at Cactus Cancer Society, Lauren spent five years working as a Program Administrator at City of Hope National Medical Center, building comprehensive programs for cancer survivors and academic programs for physicians.  She has developed curricula and educational materials for cancer survivors and AYA cancer patients, facilitated City of Hope’s cancer survivorship support group, and has presented extensively on fear of cancer recurrence and spirituality in cancer survivorship.  In addition to her work at City of Hope, Lauren has worked with The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Stupid Cancer, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, and Still Waters Cancer Retreat to provide psychosocial support and to advocate for the needs of cancer patients and survivors. 

Aerial Donovan

Aerial Donovan is the Co-Founder and Chief Program Officer (CPO) at Cactus Cancer Society. Her passion is helping the young adult cancer community forge connections, guiding them to self-advocate, and discover resources that are accessible without barriers to entry. Her knowledge and expertise in community building and organizing + executing digital events has helped Cactus Cancer Society’s programming flourish. Prior to becoming CPO, she was VP of Programs at GRYT Health and volunteered with organizations such as Stupid Cancer, Imerman’s Angels, Dear Jack Foundation, and Lacuna Loft. She continues to lead the Young Adult Cancer Advisory Board at Cactus Cancer Society.

Patricia McDonald

After first her young husband’s, and later her father’s difficult battles with cancer, Patti co-founded a cancer support center to encourage, educate, and empower patients and families experiencing cancer in their lives. She later went on to serve as Founding Executive Director for a second cancer wellness center in the Chicago area. Patti serves as a Lacuna Loft Board Member to do what she can to ensure young adults facing cancer have access to the innovative, age-appropriate, and impactful programs and resources they need to improve their quality of life and well-being – no matter how challenging the circumstances. With over 20 years of experience as a nonprofit leader and fundraising executive, Patti is currently working in advancement for higher education.

Mallory Casperson, MS

Mallory is the Co-Founder + CEO at Cactus Cancer Society. She has an MS degree and half a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During her Master’s and PhD, she worked with the Air Force Research Lab as well as NASA on high-temperature metal fatigue experiments and simulations. Leaving graduate school in August 2013, Mallory worked for a year to launch Cactus Cancer Society in April 2014. Applying her love for engineering and technology to a nonprofit endeavor, she manages operations, strategy, and development at Cactus Cancer Society where online support programs and resources are provided to young adult cancer survivors and caregivers in the comfort of their own homes. She is passionate about young adult cancer survivorship and the importance of the patient voice in healthcare. Cactus Cancer Society is the first nonprofit moving survivorship care for AYA cancer survivors into the realm of digital health, making survivorship care accessible as never before.