Leadership

• Tessa B. Lovell, Volunteer Founder
• Gerard Dupuis, Volunteer Co-Founder, Advisory Director
• Derec Brandon, Volunteer Co-Founder, Advisory Director

Supporting cancer survivorship has been a lifelong trajectory for Tessa Lovell, volunteer founder of CancerForward. A young witness to esophageal, throat, liver, brain, skin and breast cancers gripping three generations of her family, Tessa is a 15-year survivor of Stage II breast cancer.

Tessa’s movement to the forefront of the global cancer community began over 18 years ago. On a volunteer basis, she has raised millions dollars for cancer-related causes. She is a nationally-recognized advocate for the development of cancer survivorship support. She served as a survivor advocate to the Cancer Research – National Cancer Institute, and later became a member of the Cancer Research Institute. She frequently speaks to survivor and caregiver audiences nationwide.

Tessa is a member of the National Cancer Institute. In 2011, Tessa was appointed the community representative to Pan American Health Organization. She is a past president and board member of the National Foundation for Cancer Research and now sits on its advisory council as an active member. She also serves on the advisory council of The Kids Cancer Project. She has served on the board of various non-profits throughout the U.S., and is currently a member of the Development Board of The Orlando Health UF Health Cancer Center.

Tessa has received numerous awards recognizing her volunteerism and civic leadership. Her awards include: the Hope Award, Best Houston’s Outstanding Community Volunteer Fundraiser,  Loving Hearts Caring Hands Award, Melissa Amschwand Bellinger Commitment to the Cause Award, and Most Influential Women.