Elephants and Tea - March 2022 - 5

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Conversation
suffered less; they also wanted to help reduce the suffering
of all young people.
In 2009, these incredible individuals - my parents - decided
to create a nonprofit organization. This organization
would focus on research, education, health disparities and
wellness for the adolescent and young adult cancer population.
While their footprint would be small, the impact they
made would be far-reaching.
This organization would be called the Steven G. Cancer
Foundation (formerly the Steven G. AYA Cancer Research
Fund).
For 13 years my parents tirelessly ran the organization. My
father was the supportive husband, running the business side
of the organization. My mother was the soul and the person
doing everything for more than a decade, fighting for each and
every one of us. She constantly traveled all over the country,
meeting with politicians, doctors and other nonprofit professionals.
She stayed up late talking to parents and patients
in need. She continues to pray for all of us. She is my hero.
From a very early age, my mother instilled in us a sense of
caring and kindness that few have demonstrated. She cared
for everyone and tried to never put anyone else down. She
believed that we all have a place in this world, and this has
been evident throughout her life.
In her twenties, my mother worked as a counselor at the
" From a very early age, my mother instilled in
us a sense of caring and kindness that few have
demonstrated. She cared for everyone and tried to
never put anyone else down. "
Cleveland Sight Center. She always focused her attention on
helping break down health disparities, and her work almost
always focused on underrepresented and marginalized individuals.
She returned to college in her forties to pursue a
doctorate, graduating from Kent State University with a Ph.D
in Early Childhood Education. She would go
on to teach at Kent and later on at Cleveland
State University. She loved teaching future
special needs teachers. In 2006, she stepped
away from full-time teaching to spend more
time in the hospital with me.
My mother also has held many roles with
many organizations. To this day, she helps
with the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer
and recently served on their board. She
has worked in bereavement at her church,
and she still spends her time being a parent mentor to those
in need. These are just a few of the things on the list of what
she still spends her time doing, but as of January 1st of this
year, there will be one less thing on that list.
After many years of helping my mother, I will now be taking
over as president of the Steven G. Cancer Foundation. It is
a bittersweet moment for me. My mother has done so much
for this organization. I always envied her tireless energy. Her
shoes are not going to be easy to fill. My mother was and is a
mainstay in the cancer community. As I was told many years
ago by another mother, " there are two matriarchs in the young
adult cancer community. One in Canada, Pat Taylor, and one
in the U.S.; that one is your mom. "
I would not be who I am today without you. I love you Mom.
I am excited and anxious about this opportunity. I hope that
I can make half the impact that you did. l
STEVEN GIALLOURAKIS IS THE PRESIDENT OF STEVEN G CANCER FOUNDATION. HE IS A
COMPASSIONATE LEADER WITH 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING IN THE CANCER
COMMUNITY. FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS HE HAS SERVED AS A BOARD MEMBER FOR
THE STEVEN G CANCER FOUNDATION. CURRENTLY HE WORKS IN THE INNOVATION
DEPARTMENT AT GENOMONCOLOGY WHERE HELPS DEVELOP NEW PRODUCTS AND GETS
TO BE THE " VOICE OF THE PATIENT " . HE BELIEVES THAT THROUGH KINDNESS AND
COLLABORATION WE CAN MAKE ANYTHING HAPPEN. STEVE LIVES IN LAKEWOOD, OHIO. HE
LOVES TO SPEND HIS DAYS LONGBOARDING AND PLAYING THE PIANO.
ELEPHANTSANDTEA.COM
MARCH 2022
5
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Elephants and Tea - March 2022

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