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PIVOT Leadership

The PIVOT Leader Team (PLT) is a team of patient partners who provide strategic leadership to guide PIVOT and its development. This team represents a diversity of cancer experiences, skills, community connections and geographic locations.

PIVOT leadership member Cheryl Jernigan.

Cheryl Jernigan – Lead Patient Research Advocate Kansas City, MO

I’m a breast cancer survivor of nearly 30 years and co-survivor to my husband, Jeff, through multiple cancer diagnoses. My personal journey and professional background in healthcare led me to helping launch PIVOT in 2015. Through this work, I help ensure that real experiences guide decisions that help refine research, making it more attuned to the needs, hopes and realities of patients.
PIVOT leadership member Peggy Johnson.

Peggy Johnson – Wichita, KS

I am a 29-year cancer and access-to-care advocate and a 6-year breast cancer survivor. Public policy has always been a large area of focus for me, working to make sure everyone has access to the best quality of healthcare and treatment. As a patient advocate, assuring the patient’s voice is heard in treatment decisions and research has become my passion. After being diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, I am still a patient advocate but with a different voice. In my work, I ensure the patient is protected in clinical trials. I am honored to serve as the patient advocate on a number of research projects at The University of Kansas Cancer Center. When not working and serving as a patient advocate, I enjoy cooking and spending time with my husband, family and our pets.
PIVOT leadership member Kim Jones.

Kim Jones – Kansas City, MO

Cancer has been a part of my life since I was a young girl. Three of my grandparents died of cancer, including my grandmother who committed suicide while undergoing chemotherapy treatment. For 9 years I supported a friend in her fight against ovarian cancer. Then I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. Praise God, I won the battle and have now launched Sisters Living Beyond The Ribbon, an organization to help others in their fight. Being involved in PIVOT has given me knowledge about cancer research that I can take to others in my community. I am a nail technician and salon owner.
Jennie Mack

Jennie Mack - Lenexa, KS

In 2016, I was diagnosed with stage 4 CNS Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and received a stem cell transplant at The University of Kansas Cancer Center - on the same unit where I once worked as a nurse. Becoming the patient changed everything. You realize you truly have no idea what it is like being a cancer patient. Now, I share my experience to help researchers see cancer through a different lens. I hope to help others continue to live a good life. 
Dee Potts

Dee Potts - Leavenworth, KS

As a former construction worker who was exposed to chemicals, my cancer journey began with research into detoxing. This led to the realization that I had stage 2 inflammatory breast cancer. After chemotherapy, radiation, a double mastectomy and reconstruction, I emerged a survivor. This battle doesn’t discriminate; many people do not make it. Through PIVOT, I advocate for those who come after me, fighting fear with knowledge and feeding faith to starve fear. 
Marilyn Mahan

Marilyn Mahan - Alma, KS

Cancer is part of my family history. My mother, sister and brother all passed before we knew Lynch Syndrome was the cause. I was first diagnosed with colon cancer at 42. After being diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome, I faced breast cancer, endometrial cancer and again, colon cancer. Being involved with PIVOT has given me an opportunity to make my cancer diagnoses mean something.  

Become a PIVOT Member

To become a PIVOT member click here. To learn more contact Tonia Yelder at 913-945-6622 or PIVOT@kumc.edu.

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