Meet the Board
Rev. Dr. Karen Greif, Co-founder and Board Chair,envisioned the idea of a cancer support network after receiving her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2000 and completing surgery and chemotherapy. After investigating existing programs, Karen chose to use an existing model, CanCare of Houston. She then left her position of 12 years as Associate Pastor at Hope Presbyterian Church in Austin in order to work full-time establishing the Cancer Connection (formerly known as CanCare Austin). In addition to being ordained in the Presbyterian Church, Karen has a BBA with a concentration in marketing from the University of Texas, an MBA with a specialty in Accounting from San Diego State University and both a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Karen matches the newly diagnosed with volunteers, works as a care-giving volunteer, conducts trainings, networks within the faith community, and is working to establish life-enhancing classes for our volunteers and the larger cancer community.
Bill Greif, MA, Co-founder and Board Treasurer, was the primary caregiver for his wife, Karen, through her cancer experience. He enthusiastically endorsed Karen's choice of the model presented by CanCare of Houston because of its dual emphases on both the individual with cancer and the primary caregiver. Bill's career has included ten years as a professional baseball player with the Houston Astros, the San Diego Padres, and the St. Louis Cardinals. After retirement from baseball, Bill began a real estate career in the central Texas area and currently makes his living from real estate investments. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of Texas with a BA in Psychology and has also earned a Masters in Education with a major in Counseling and Guidance from Texas State University. Bill has worked as a volunteer counselor at the Samaritan Center for Counseling and Pastoral Care in Austin and serves Cancer Connection as a volunteer caregiver, trainer, fiscal manager, fundraiser, and liaison to the corporate community.
Charlsa Bentley, Board Secretary, has held numerous volunteer roles in the cancer community, including organizations such as American Cancer Society, the Patients' Assistance League, Texas HEART, Texas Cancer Council, and Cancer Connection. Her proudest achievement was to assemble and head a collaborative group that created the "Texans Conquer Cancer" specialty license plate, which as of 2007 has raised and granted over $75,000 to Texas non-profits providing cancer support services. Charlsa graduated from Austin's Reagan High School in 1968 and from Texas Tech University in 1972 with a BA in Bi-Lingual Secretarial Administration (French). Her professional life has been spent in offices in Houston and Austin, ranging from Executive Secretary to the Senior Vice President of International Banking at Bank of the Southwest in Houston to a legal assistant for Hilgers & Watkins law firm. She retired at the end of 1999 to concentrate her efforts on health care and patient advocacy.
Galen Adams, is a cancer survivor and volunteer. When living in Miami, he was diagnosed with a grade II astrocytoma brain tumor. After a successful surgery, Galen quickly got back to doing what he loves: volunteering. Today, Galen works as a sports buying director with GSD&M Idea City working with clients from AT&T to BMW. As a board member, Galen heads up sponsorship and marketing for the annual Divots & Diamonds Golf Tournament. He volunteers his time and efforts in honor of himself and his grandmother who passed away from cancer.
Linda Byrd, joined the Cancer Connection team during the first volunteer training class in November of 2004. After losing her dad to colon cancer and her father-in-law to mesothelioma, Linda wanted to help others that were facing a cancer diagnosis. She has volunteered in many of Cancer Connection's programs, including a one-on-one match, fundraising, scrapbooking and journaling classes, and the oncology center visitation program. She became a board member in 2008. Her most rewarding moments come during her time volunteering at Texas Oncology, where she takes cookies for the patients and their families. Linda is a 1974 graduate of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA. She and her husband own a rare coins business in Austin.
Bill Carson, is a survivor of kidney cancer and currently has chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL). He moved to Austin in 1977 and never left. Cancer Connection was highly recommended by his oncologist when Bill was looking for an organization to raise money for during his bicycle ride across America adventure. Bill recently retired after 35 years of being an entrepreneur and working for an international fortune 500 company. He and his wife have two daughters and three grandsons.
Brad Cummins, JD, is a cancer survivor who is most grateful for the information, guidance, encouragement, love and hope he received from the Cancer Connection community and its founders, Bill and Karen Greif. Now he wishes to do what he can to pass the blessings he received to those who now face the implications of cancer. Brad is a local attorney in private practice. He received his BA in Accounting from Texas Tech University (1975), and his JD from St. Mary's Law School (1978). In addition to serving on the Cancer Connection board, Brad also currently serves St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Austin as Trustee, Co-Chair of its Governance Committee, and member of the Executive Committee, Endowment Committee, and Advancement Committee.
Elizabeth Erwin, joined the board in 2007 because she wanted to serve. Elizabeth's passion for helping cancer patients comes from her experiences with her brother and in-law's cancer diagnoses. Elizabeth serves on the Volunteer Coordination Committee. She's led three scrapbooking classes for cancer patients and their loved ones. During the six-week class, each person created a 30-page album, which told a story of something significant in their life. Volunteering once a month in the infusion room with her friend, Linda Byrd, is one of Elizabeth's favorite activities.
Ann Meyer Fairchild, LMSW, OSW-C, got involved with Cancer Connection when she was the lone Social Worker in a large medical oncology practice in Austin. With more than 20 years professional experience in Oncology Social Work, Ann felt the mission of Cancer Connection was one of the most powerful sources of hope for a newly diagnosed patient or loved one. She brings to the board a unique clinical perspective on the psychosocial needs of cancer patients and their loved ones. Ann holds a BA from Colorado State University and a Masters from Washington University. She is currently President-Elect for the Association of Oncology Social Work, an international professional and educational and advocacy organization with more than 1,000 members.
Janis Graef, MHA, CPA, became a volunteer for Cancer Connection after completion of treatment for breast cancer in 2004. She served at the oncology centers and worked to help gain access to the Seton Family of Hospitals for volunteers. She joined the board in 2008. Janis has worked for Seton Family of Hospitals since 1998, serving in hospital contracting, the Mission Control Office in Finance, and is currently the Operations Manager of the Clinical Education Center at Brackenridge. Janis received a BA from Texas Tech University and a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Southwest Texas State University. She serves on the board's Medical Relations Committee. Janis and her Great Dane, Avery, also currently volunteer as 'pet therapists' at University Medical Center Brackenridge.
Cindy Manning, RN, began volunteering with Cancer Connection in 2004 because of the one-on-one support program. As an oncology nurse with more than 29 years of experience, she believes there is nothing more powerful to a newly diagnosed patient than to be exposed to a survivor that has been where you are and is on the other side. Cindy currently serves as a case manager with the Seton Cancer Screening and Early Detection program with a primary emphasis in breast and skin cancers. In January of 2006 she was invited to join the Board of Directors where she serves on the Medical Relations Committee.
Jamie McNally, JD, was diagnosed with colon cancer in November of 2007, after a routine colonoscopy. As a healthy, active 50 year old, he was stunned by the diagnosis. Jamie received support from Cancer Connection volunteers throughout his treatment and was determined to give back. After being trained as a volunteer himself, Jamie began visiting oncology patients at Seton Hospital. Jamie is an attorney with the law firm of Clark, Thomas & Winters, P.C. He and his wife, Joanne, have four boys. Jamie is an avid rock climber and bike rider and he participates in the Mamma Jamma ride against breast cancer to raise funds for Cancer Connection.