BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Heike Malakoff

In December 2003, five days after turning thirty-four, Heike was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was young and active, had three children under two and no family history of breast cancer. I wasn’t in any of the traditional “high-risk” categories and discovered my lump while nursing my daughter. My experience inspired me to create Check Your Boobies so that all women are educated about the importance of breast health.When Heike is not dealing with boobies, Heike spends most of her time with her three children and husband.

Jamie Shanks

Jamie is the mother of two boys and works as a commercial real estate property manager. After graduating from college she spent three years at the American Cancer Society running the South King County chapter and promoting breast health for all women. Her mother is a breast cancer survivor and has been cancer free for almost 45 years. She has been an inspiration for Jamie and the two of them are very active with the Swedish Breast Health Center. Jamie enjoys spending time with her family, running, yoga and playing tennis.

Sandi Schoenfeld

Sandi was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 44. After going through cancer treatment and many related surgeries she is enjoying a very healthy, active life.  She knew the importance of sharing her experience with other women and willingly became involved early on. Sandi will tell you, “knowledge is power, and breast health information is really lacking out there in the community. The idea  to give women a safe, comfortable forum where they can learn and ask questions is so important and can truly save lives with early detection. Being a part if this growing and very important organization has been one of the many blessings I have received since my diagnosis.” Sandi has been married to Bob for 14 years, they have a daughter Jenny together. She is also a proud step mom to Adam and Julie. She is active in her kids lives, likes to stay fit with pilates and cycling, and enjoys the many outdoor activities the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Susan Gardner, RN, CBEC

Susan is currently a Oncology Nurse Navigator at Valley Medical Center's Cancer Care Services Division. She also works as a RN in the Home Hospice Division of Swedish Medical Center.   Prior to that, she was the Nursing Care Coordinator at Swedish Medical Center.  She has also worked at the bedside in the inpatient oncology setting as well as a case manager in the Home Care Services/Hospice Division before coming to the Swedish Cancer Institute as the Breast Health Navigator in 2005.

Kristin Anderson

BREAST HEALTH INSTRUCTORS

Our Breast Health Instructors educate all CYB attendees about breast health - risk Factors for breast cancer, screening guidelines, role of family and personal history,  as well as how to do a breast self-exam and to feel comfortable doing it. Prevention issues are also discussed.

Kim Schaaf

Kim has been teaching breast health for over 15 years. Kim has been instrumental in developing the breast health education curriculum for Check Your Boobies. She has worked for Positive Women’s Network, a nonprofit organization serving the health needs of underserved women in the Puget Sound Area and running the Breast and Cervical Program. Currently she works an instructor at Cancer Lifeline for Lymphodema Management.

Susan Gardner, RN, CBEC

Susan is  currently a Oncology Nurse Navigator at Valley Medical Center's Cancer Care Services Division. She also works as a RN in the Home Hospice Division of Swedish Medical Center.   Prior to that, she was the Nursing Care Coordinator at Swedish Medical Center.  She has also worked at the bedside in the inpatient oncology setting as well as a case manager in the Home Care Services/Hospice Division before coming to the Swedish Cancer Institute as the Breast Health Navigator in 2005.

Veronica Kim

Veronica manages the Women’s Preventative Health Services Program for ICHS, a no profit community health organization servicing the Asian and Pacific Islander population in Seattle. Veronica has been a breast health instructor for over 15 years.

Claudia Cheyne-Cook, CHT, CLMT

Becoming a breast health instructor for Check Your Boobies has brought Claudia's work full circle. Claudia has been a dance movement specialist for over 25 years. her primary focus since 2001 has been on teaching a specialized movement and exercise program to breast cancer and other cancer survivors. That program has an enormous emphasis on education. Claudia has also been teaching pain management, stress managment, and meditation techniques to individuals for over 15 years.  To reach women before-the-fact, empowering all ages and backgrounds with the important tool of knowledge regarding breast cancer prevention and early detection has been the peak of her experience and work.    

Elizabeth Crouch

Breast Cancer Survivor Facilitators

Our facilitators are breast cancer survivors who attend each CYB party to tell their personal cancer story. They will talk about how they found their cancer and briefly discuss their treatment. Most importantly, they will reinforce the importance of early detection.

Tanya Hansen

Tanya is a 41 year old wife and mom of three children.She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 39 when her kids were 3, 6, & 9 years old. She had nursed all three and had my first child before 30 and was not in a high risk category. Tanya found her lump through a self exam and was diagnosed with the most common but most aggressive type of cancer. Tanya says she is currently healthier than she has ever been. At her job as a postpartum doula, it seems like it’s always about the “boobies”. She enjoys helping other women learn what to look for and find the confidence to follow up on something that they’re concerned about. Check Your Boobies is all about knowing your breasts and feeling comfortable with them.

Sandi Schoenfeld

Sandi was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 44. After going through cancer treatment and many related surgeries she is enjoying a very healthy, active life.  Sandi has been married to Bob for 14 years, they have a daughter Jenny together. She is also a proud step mom to Adam and Julie. She is active in her kids lives, likes to stay fit with pilates and cycling, and enjoys the many outdoor activities the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Debra Minkove

In 2007, the month before her 32nd birthday, Debra was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her grandmother on her father's side passed away from ovarian cancer and carries the gene called BRCA 1 which makes her more likely to get ovarian cancer down the road. Debra found her own lump and started treatment right away. She is inspired to share her story with other women to help with early detection. My other interests are painting, designing clothing and jewerly and physical activities outside.

Heather was diagnosed with breast cancer at 41.  She is a mother of two beautiful boys age 6 and 2 yrs old.  After nursing her oldest for almost 3 yrs she was surprised by the problems she had nursing Chase his first 6 months.  In Jan of 2008 when Chase was 6 months old, she found her lump while rubbing out recurrent plugged milk ducts.  After weeks of research and a crash course in cancer study, Heather was happy to learn that while her cancer was invasive, it was slow growing and non-aggressive in form.  She had a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy.  The support that came pouring in during her cancer journey has fueled her to give back as often as she can.  She’s walked the Komen 3 Day Walk, loving her time with Check Your Boobies, and enjoying all the playful adventures that 2 young boys bring to her life. 

Nancy Sivitilli

Nancy is 37 years old and is the mom of two boys 8 1/2 and 7.  Nancy was diagnosed in Dec 2007 at the age of 35 when she found a lump during a self exam. she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of invasive (ductal) breast cancer.  I underwent several months of treatment to kick cancer to the curb.  And like many women had no family history.  Her diagnosis confirmed a lot of things for me, so now her goal is to educate others on breast cancer health and remind everyone to enjoy life and appreciate its treasures. She feel blessed to have met so many amazing people through this experience.  Everyday she feels better and healthier - She is only looking forward.  Nancy enjoys time with her family and friends and finding whatever life has to offer - the possibilities are endless.