Friends and Founders

Our Friends & Founders webinar series is the chance for our participants and supporters to hear the latest ideas and information from Clearity staff and expert guests.

Each online session offers new perspectives on the chosen topic, ranging from the latest ovarian cancer research to conversations about managing the impact of this diagnosis on people’s day-to-day lives. Each discussion is held live with time for audience questions at the end.

What We Learned at The SGO Annual Meeting

The latest ovarian cancer research and news

The Society of Gynecologic Oncology held their Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA March 15-18, 2024. The event kicked off with a Patient Educational Forum, hosted by the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, followed by two full days of panels and discussions with physicians, experts, advocates and patients. Our team was there and they are bringing back the information to share with the Clearity community.

Dr. Anne Mette Buhl, PhD

Dr. Anne Mette Buhl, PhD is Clearity’s Director of Science and Clinical Trials. She has more than 20 years of experience in basic and translational cancer research in Europe and the US. Prior to joining Clearity, she was a fellow at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center at University of California San Diego. Dr. Buhl received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Aarhus University, Denmark.

Dr. Ramez Eskander, MD

Dr. Ramez Eskander, MD joined Clearity as Chief Scientific and Medical Advisor in July, 2021. As a board-certified gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Eskander has a passion for improving outcomes for women with ovarian cancer combined with extensive research experience as Associate Clinical Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the UC San Diego Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Let’s talk about purpose:

A conversation about the search for joy and meaning

Questions of purpose may be prompted by a health crisis or part of “normal” midlife transition and have a profound impact on long-term happiness and life satisfaction. Karin and Buck share their perspectives as executive coaches and Clearity board members who have supported clients [and loved ones] through major life transitions.

Karin Blair
Karin Blair

Karin Blair is passionate about working with the innovators and change makers of today and tomorrow. As President and Founder of Evoking Insights LLC, she operates at the intersection of strategy and leadership as an executive-level coach and strategic advisor.

Buck Dodson
Buck Dodson

As a coach & counselor, Buck Dodson partners with creatives, founders and life leaders to ignite ideas, feel free, and live with passion and purpose.

Why Do I feel like this?

Insights in the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis

Learn how a person diagnosed with cancer may face seemingly opposite emotions, such as feeling hopeful yet fearful, or surrounded by family yet lonely. KrisAnn and Susan talk about the “opposing truths” of managing cancer, things to keep in mind when emotions don’t “make sense” and ways to support the person diagnosed and their loved ones.

KrisAnn Talarico
KrisAnn Talarico

KrisAnn Talarico is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Board Certified Oncology Social Worker (OSW-C). She is passionate about improving the lives of patients and families facing cancer. As Clearity’s Director of OC Counseling, she oversees operations and a team of OC Counselors who provide psychosocial support by phone or video to survivors and caregivers nationwide.

Susan Hess
Susan Hess

Susan Hess has been supporting oviarian cancer patients and their families for more than two decades. She played an instrumental role in developing Clearity’s ovarian cancer counseling program, Steps Through OC in 2018 serving as the Program Director through 2022. Susan was Clearity’s Director of Education prior to her well-deserved retirement in Sept, 2023.

Let’s Talk About Nutrition!

A conversation about the role food plays in living well with ovarian cancer

Special guest speaker Erin Pellegrin, RD, LDN, from the breast and ovarian cancer organization, Unite For HE,R leads the discussion on this important topic.

Erin covers:

  • Why nutrition matters for cancer patients, Including the risk of malnutrition
  • Getting started with 3 P’s – One of them is protein
  • The challenges which may arise – Discover strategies to overcome them
Erin Pellegrin
Erin Pellegrin RD, LDN

Erin Pellegrin RD, LDN is Unite for HER’s Director of Culinary Nutrition and Education. As part of the Culinary Nutrition Team, she shares their nutrition missino and philosophy by educating and counseling breast and ovarian cancer patients through treatment and beyond as part of their Wellness Program.