Optimizing the quality of life for all people living with cancer.

Cancer Lifeline Seattle
Dorothy S. O'Brien Center
6522 Fremont Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206-297-2100 voice
206-297-2200 fax
Hours: Mon-Fri
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sean’s responsibilities at Cancer Lifeline include coordinating our staff and volunteers around the class registration process. This process begins with the creation of the class schedule, ends with collecting feedback about our programs, and includes everything in between. Sean also maintains our program’s database and assists the staff to ensure smooth day-to-day operations of the Dorothy O’Brien Center. Sean is a graduate of the University of Washington and enjoys spending time with his family and his girlfriend Ana. He also takes pleasure in traveling, outdoor sports, and being a foodie.

After six months as a community volunteer, Peter came on the Cancer Lifeline staff at full speed, locating resources and providing information to help people in treatment survive cancer financially. Prior to Cancer Lifeline, he spent 20 years in food service as inventor, consultant and executive chef. His personal experience with cancer and care-giving fuels his passion for his job. During the winter, you’ll find Peter on a snowboard; in warmer weather, he’s on his motorcycle.

Basha came to Cancer Lifeline in 1998 to develop the Healing Arts Program that is so successful today. She continues to inspire the artist in all of us as she manages Cancer Lifeline programs at the Dorothy S. O'Brien Center and Northwest Hospital. Basha lives in Seattle with her feline friends Sebastian and McCavity.

Martha brings a wide range of skills and experiences to her work at Cancer Lifeline. In her role as building manager, she keeps the Dorothy O’Brien Center in “nearly new” condition. Martha is also a key part of our programs that help patients pay for their daily living while they are undergoing cancer treatment. She works with Social Workers and staff to ensure that funds are utilized well and that they reach their destinations in a timely manner. Martha finds that part of her work particularly gratifying.

Lisa provides support for Cancer Lifeline hospital programs at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center and Valley Medical Center. She makes sure class participants are reminded of and made to feel welcome at our programs, and that rooms are set up and available. She actively promotes future programming at each site through direct outreach. Lisa’s past experiences include work with Horn of Africa Services as a Volunteer Coordinator, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Alaska as a School Program Coordinator. New to Seattle, Lisa is still exploring this urban oasis.

Chief Executive Officer Jan Gray leads the organization's management team and is responsible to the Board of Directors for day-to-day operations, staffing, planning and financial performance.  She came to Cancer Lifeline after 25 years in Broadcast Marketing and more than 15 years consulting with community organization boards.  Jan earned her M.S. in Management at Antioch University, Seattle. She has served on the boards of Seattle/King County Senior Services and Sound Experience.  She is an active volunteer with the Phinney Neighborhood Association and occasionally with this organization’s 24-hour help and support line.  Jan lives with her husband Kerry Fowler,  a medicinal chemist, just 10 blocks from Cancer Lifeline.

The support Suad provides to the program staff ensures the smooth, continuous operation of the various programs offered at Cancer Lifeline. Before Cancer Lifeline, Suad acted as a translator/interpreter at the University of Washington Parenting Clinic for three years. She enjoys art, movies and spending time with her family; different languages and cultures are of particular interest. Suad recently began a graduate program in Health Administration at the University of Washington. Her goal is to work to develop and manage hospital patient records and care management systems.

Bobbi is committed to making a difference in people’s lives through her work at Cancer Lifeline and in the community. She is the impetus behind Cancer Lifeline’s patient navigation program to help cancer patients pay their bills while in treatment. Bobbi oversees Cancer Lifeline’s community-based programs, including the Komen for the Cure and Cancer Lifeline Patient Assistance programs and the Lymphedema program, and conducts outreach to diverse communities throughout Western Washington. She and her husband Mike make time to volunteer for programs supporting developmental disabilities. Avid skiers, they also tramp up and down mountains to watch their younger son race mountain bikes, go sailing with their oldest son and encourage their daughter to outshine her brothers.

Patty’s responsibilities are related to the finances of Cancer Lifeline. She is a Certified Public Accountant who has focused on the non-profit accounting field throughout her career as an accountant. Patty is a graduate of the University of Washington.

Terrie has dual responsibilities for supporting the CEO and Board of Directors, as well as managing human resources functions. She is often involved in preparation for a meeting or coordinating some activity of the Board and board committees. Terrie produces the annual report, handles special projects, and manages meetings and events related to the Board. Her HR responsibilities support the overall effectiveness of staff through the evaluation, planning and performance appraisal process, hiring and staff retention efforts, and administering benefits programs. Singing is her passion. With the 80-voice Seattle Choral Company, she has appeared at the 5th Avenue Theatre, Benaroya Hall, with the Symphony and Ballet, and has recorded film trailers for Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Walt Disney, Pirates of the Caribbean and numerous TV shows.

Kim has been a breast health educator since 1991. Her passion is sharing the message about the importance of early detection for breast cancer, as well as the importance of being an advocate and active participant in one’s own health care. Kim’s work and life has been enriched by the time she has spent with women learning and laughing. She and her husband Rod, and their daughter Angeline live in Bothell with their two dogs and two cats.

Mary Ellen coordinates the support group program, facilitates Family Meetings, and Share the Care Meetings. In addition to her work at Cancer Lifeline, Mary Ellen is a member of the Family Functioning Research Program at the University of Washington School of Nursing since 1987 studying the impact of cancer on families. Mary Ellen and her husband Roger, live with their two children in Lake Forest Park.

David is a clinical psychologist responsible for supervising the Practicum Students and the Pre-doctoral Interns at Cancer Lifeline. These students play a vital part in providing emotional support for our clients who utilize our lifeline, our support groups and the other services we offer. David states, “My mission is to teach the students to listen carefully, and to be comfortable bringing the full range of their humanity to their work with clients at Cancer Lifeline. If I help them become better psychologists, then that is particularly rewarding.” David and his wife, Ellen, live on Bainbridge Island with their two dachshunds, Bodhi and Sattva.

Sarah’s role as a patient financial navigator is to help clients with their financial needs while undergoing treatment—whether it be health insurance, housing, transportation, utility bills, medication or another kind of necessity.  Before coming to Cancer Lifeline, Sarah worked at a non-profit helping clients of the Washington Breast and Cervical Health Program and performing community outreach with other social and health service agencies. Sarah lives with her husband Eduardo in Lake Stevens. They have four children and three grandchildren. Sarah enjoys tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, and rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and Everett Silver Tips.

Bruce came to Cancer Lifeline in March of 2006 bringing with him years of successful management experience in both the non-profit and for-profit environments. Bruce's job is to develop and manage all of Cancer Lifeline's fundraising activities including their popular Annual Faces of Caregiving Awards Luncheon. He and his wife Rebecca live in Seattle's Ravenna neighborhood with their daughter, Sofia.

Ellen is responsible for the Family Support Programs which include: the 24 hour Lifeline; Workplace Consultation, Family Meetings, and Share the Care Program. She also manages the Therapist Referral Program. Ellen has been with Cancer Lifeline since responding to a PSA for volunteers for the Lifeline in 1983. In addition to her position at Cancer Lifeline, Ellen is a member of the Family Functioning Research Program at the University Of Washington School Of Nursing studying the impact of cancer on the family since 1987.