Joyce T. Austin

Joyce Austin is a survivor of breast cancer. She was diagnosed after 23 years of employment as Tampa Housing Authority’s Property Manager of J.L. Young Apartments, a special needs facility for low-income and handicapped elderly. During her recovery from breast cancer surgery, Ms. Austin authored a short story called “My Littlest Angel, Who made me laugh” a children’s book inspired by her granddaughter to help young children understand why family and friends have been diagnosed with cancer. Ms. Austin is a cancer research advocate and is involved with events that benefit research and education initiatives about diversity and health disparities. Her community involvement includes being a member of Moffitt Cancer Center Patient and Family Advisory Council, The Charmettes, Inc., Retired and Proud Group, and Jack & Jill Associate Group.

“I was devastated receiving my diagnosis of breast cancer, but I knew where to go – Moffitt Cancer Center was my only choice for surgery and it was successful. I am a four time cancer survivor, two time breast and kidney cancer. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and again in 2013. I was then diagnosed with kidney cancer in March 2015, followed by two kidney surgeries six weeks apart. My cancer awareness activities include being a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council since 2005, the Community Advisory Panel since 2006, and the MPOWER Department of Moffitt Cancer Center Outreach Wellness Education & Resources. My mission is to encourage others to join the fight against cancer. Health disparities impact all of us. We should be striving for best health for all communities regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or geographical location.”

Khaliah Fleming, MPH, CHES

Khaliah Fleming is a community health educator with the Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network at Moffitt Cancer Center. She is a Tampa native and　graduated from King High School’s International Baccalaureate Program. After her high school graduation, she attended Spelman College where she majored in English. Wanting a first-hand account of life abroad, while helping those less fortunate, she decided to join the Peace Corps after her graduation from Spelman in 2004. For 2 years she worked and lived on the coast of Peru. There, she worked as a local health promoter in collaboration with the town’s health center. During her time in Peru, she worked on several projects and programs that focused on sexual health, hygiene, nutrition, organizing fellow community health promoters, facilitating educational workshops and trainings, and environmental health.

She returned to the US in 2007, and enrolled in the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health in 2008. While a student in the graduate program, she served as a graduate assistant with the WATSUP Study (What Adolescents Think About Sex and Using Protection). Additionally, she completed her academic field experience at Moffitt Cancer Center, working as a community outreach worker with M-Power (Moffitt Programs for Outreach Wellness Education and Resources). She graduated in August 2010 with her MPH in public health education, and immediately began working as a lay health advisor with the Center for Equal Health. In this capacity, she was responsible for organizing community partnerships and serving as the face of the center at various community health events. She obtained her CHES certification in October 2010 and joined the Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network at Moffitt Cancer Center in January of 2011. She is interested in exploring the use of non-formal educational strategies and techniques to influence community ownership of healthy lifestyles and practices.

Linda Paige

Linda Paige, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, lived in Atlanta for many years prior to her move to Tampa, Florida. Over the last 20 years her background in human resources and office management has opened opportunities for her to work with people from many walks of life. Her first position in Florida with one of the well known healthcare organizations inspired her to learn more about health disparities and how to bring health awareness to the community. She currently provides health education through the Witness Project® of Tampa Bay, a national faith-based breast and cervical health program that teaches survivorship. Linda serves on the National Witness Project® Steering Committee to assist in duplicating early detection, screenings and healthy lifestyle choices to Witness Project® sites across the country. In addition she provides other types of oral presentations and facilitates a healthy lifestyles group for women age 40 and up, teaching on how to control their overall health and well-being by learning how to make positive choices while going through mid-life. Her passion is to raise health awareness in the community and as a result of these endeavors she collaborates with churches, community centers, businesses, and a variety of health and civic organizations to encourage healthy living.

Evora Pimento

Evora Pimento was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 51. After her diagnosis, Evora became very interested in genetic counseling and began encouraging women of color who had survived breast cancer to participate in genetic testing. As someone with a strong family history of breast cancer, Evora understands the difficulties associated with the decision to undergo genetic testing but believes wholeheartedly that knowledge is power. She recently became involved as a representative in the Black community for The American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery Plus in Tampa FL, a support group and telephone-based physical activity program for breast cancer survivors. She also actively participates in the Food Ministry at her church.

Peggie D. Sherry

Peggie D. Sherry is the Founder and CEO of Faces of Courage Foundation a 501(c)3 non profit that provides day outings, fun/educational events and traditional overnight camps for individuals and families touched by cancer and blood disorders. Ms. Sherry is a two time breast cancer survivor who has been very active as both an advocate and educator.

Coming from Palm Beach, Florida, Peggie D. Sherry has lived in the Tampa Bay area since 1975. Her first career was as a Banker for 20 years; leaving banking she became a Television Producer for PBS, then in 1999 she began her work with cancer patients by providing day outings, educational events, and weekend camps. She serves and has served on numerous committees at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center since 2005. Ms. Sherry has been a grant reviewer for Department of Defense, Susan G. Komen, and Hillsborough Education Foundation. Ms. Sherry also continues to produce/edit for television and video, which she has been doing since 1993.

Ms. Sherry has been honored with many awards most notably: Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine’s Advocate of the Year; Aetna Foundation’s Voices of Health Award; Tampa Bay Buccaneers Football Team’s Distinguished Breast Cancer Survivor; eBay’s Grand Prize Winner “Every Mom’s a Hero” International contest; NASA Honoree for Breast Cancer Survivors; Yoplait Yogurt National Champion; American Red Cross’ Good Neighbor Award; WEDU’s (PBS TV) Speaking of Women’s Health Award; Florida State Daughters of the American Revolution FL State Community Service Award; and FOX News Hometown Hero.

Community Service has always been a passion for Ms. Sherry. She is the Founder of the Gasparilla Krewe of Agustina de Aragon (founded in 1997) and the Krewe of Agustina Scholarship Fund (1978).

As a spokesperson, motivational speaker, author, and advocate Ms Sherry has appeared/quoted NBC Dateline, Boston Globe, USA Today, Washington Post, Miami Herald, PBS specials, Huffington Post, Heal Magazine, DuPont Registry Magazine, In the Field, Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine (cover photo/story), Healthy Cells Magazine (cover photo/story); along with over 100 local TV/Radio/Print media interviews.

Gloria Wood

Gloria Wood has been an Oncology Registered Nurse at Moffitt Cancer Center for the last fifteen years. An Alabama native, she completed her bachelors of science degree at Florida State University. At Moffitt, Gloria devotes the majority of her time to radiation oncology nursing. In addition, she also is actively involved in nursing education and community service. Gloria has published several articles.

She is on multiple health care committees at Moffitt and has served on local and National Advisory Panels for new cancer drugs and community research. She has been nursing faculty at several national meetings, lecturing on the role of the radiation nurse and nursing evidence based practice.

Finally, she has also developed a medical supply product for which she has been issued a provisional patent. She has worked with a local Sarasota company to pursue bringing the product to market.

Deneen Wyman

“I am 34 years old. I was born in St. Petersburg, Florida and I am the mother of two boys (13 and 1). I am a member of Greater Mount Zion AME Church in St. Petersburg. I love being a part of my community, spending time with my children, and performing for others. I am a local independent artist as well. I currently work for Pinellas County School Board as the Secretary/Bookkeeper at Melrose Elementary School. I have been employed with the school board for 15 years. I also coordinate the Girlfriends of Melrose Club where I oversee 25 scholars. I have a passion for wanting to help others.”