Laurel J. Pracht, President
Laurel J Pracht, founder of the West Valley Ovarian Cancer Alliance, is a 24-year ovarian cancer survivor.
Her passion for the past 20 years remains representing the patient perspective as the patient voice within clinical trials. As a survivor, she advises research through the lens of the patient. She continues to work with the National Cancer Institute, and NRG Oncology Cooperative Group as a Research Patient Advocate. She also works one on one with newly diagnosed patients locally.
Carol Ann Kunz, secretary/Treasurer
Carol Ann is an advocate for educating women and raising awareness of the symptoms of Ovarian cancer.
Carol Ann was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer in 2002. This was quite a shock as she had no idea that she had any symptoms of Ovarian cancer. This is because like many women, she didn’t know what the symptoms were. After having an Oophorectomy, she had a course of 6 chemotherapy treatments and is thankful to be a 21-year survivor.
Joan cross-zurek
I am a 3-year Ovarian Cancer (OC) survivor, status: No Evidence of Disease . I am active in the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance Survivors Teaching Students program for OC at the Mayo Clinic and U of A and sat on a medical research review panel this past summer/fall. I enjoy learning and I love golf, book group, skiing, hikes, and working out and I love trying just about anything.
My family and friends are my everything. My wonderful husband and I have 2 daughters and 4 Grandchildren and our dog.
I’m Loving life!
My motto:
Not to spoil the ending, but everything is going to be okay ❤️
Michele staples
Michele Staples is a 6 year Stage IV Ovarian Cancer Survivor. When she was diagnosed in 2016, she confronted it head on like she does with anything in life. As a former NFL Cheerleader, she was familiar with giving back to the community and she knew that she wanted to find an organization that does just that.
She has served on several of the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance committees including the Woman to Woman Mentor Program, the Capitol Hill Advocate Leader Program and as a Consumer Reviewer for the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program. She has also choreographed an Ovarian Cancer Flash Mob to Rachel Patton's “Fight Song” that has been performed at numerous events.
She is excited to get involved with the West Valley Ovarian Cancer Alliance because they are a community partner of OCRA and they advocate for patients by raising funds for research to find a cure.
She currently lives in Surprise, AZ with her husband, John, and their fur babies at their Boston Terrier Ranch.