We Recognize Those Making Significant Commitments

The Teri Woodhull Empowerment Award

Each year, FORCE recognizes individuals whose efforts have contributed to the advancement of the hereditary cancer community. The Teri Woodhull Empowerment Award will be given annually to a recipient who has exhibited the values modeled by Teri Woodhull. The recipient will also be someone who has made a significant contribution to further the mission of FORCE: to improve the lives of individuals and families facing hereditary cancer.

Teri Woodhull has furthered the mission of FORCE with integrity, resilience and tenacity. Her efforts on behalf of FORCE are extensive and underscore her deep commitment to help improve the lives of ALL individuals facing hereditary cancer. Below are just a few of the ways Teri’s service to FORCE has made a lasting impact.

• Advocating on behalf of patients, lending her voice and personal experiences to research to help improve outcomes
• Leading our organization as President of the Board of Directors, and being a public spokesperson on behalf of FORCE
• Raising necessary funds to expand and enhance FORCE programs
• Volunteering in many different roles and offering personalized and group support to individuals to ensure no one faces hereditary cancer alone

This award was created in 2020 by the FORCE Board of Directors, staff and volunteers in recognition of Teri Woodhull’s longstanding service to FORCE and the hereditary cancer community.

I gladly accept the Teri Woodhull Empowerment Award on behalf of Lauri and myself. I know, Lauri would be so honored and proud to have been named as a recipient, even more so that I would be a recipient as well.

In life, with us, it was never Lauri or Marlon, but Marlon and Lauri or vice versa. You did not see one without the other. We'd like to thank our FORCE Family for choosing us for this award, our hearts are full and know that we'll cherish it, forever.

Respectfully yours,

Marlon & Lauri Sumlin
Team FORCE Racing

I am extremely humbled and grateful to have been chosen as the first recipient of the Teri Woodhull Empowerment Award. My personal experience with hereditary cancer has been a decade plus long rollercoaster ride but every time I needed support, I knew that FORCE would be there for me. From my first attendance at the Joining FORCES conference in 2011 to today, the people of FORCE (staff, volunteers and members) have embraced me and positioned me to make informed decisions. Looking back now, I understand what a privilege it has been for me to provide that kind of support to other members of our community as a FORCE Volunteer.

It is especially meaningful that Teri was one of the FORCE family members who supported me during my most recent cancer diagnosis in 2019. She was generous with her time, very informative and hopeful despite being in the midst of a recurrence of her own case of ovarian cancer. I only hope that I can carry on Teri’s legacy for many years to come.

I am a person of many words and I was speechless when told that I was nominated to be a recipient of a Spirit of Empowerment Award this year. When my words started to flow, I proudly accepted.

I always identified myself as “Julie.” In our hereditary cancer community, I identify myself as “Julie, a previvor with a BRCA1 genetic mutation.” This unexpected identity has given me the opportunity to learn and to share what I have learned about the hereditary cancer world with others seeking support and information.

As you honor me with this beautiful recognition for doing what enriches my life, I thank all of the wonderful people at FORCE.  For eight years you have given me the privilege of representing FORCE as I devote myself to ensuring that others in our hereditary cancer community know that we are there for them with a shoulder for support, a wealth of information and resources and, most important, a caring heart.

In the days after Elise died one of my close friends said to me: "Everything you do should celebrate your sister, who wanted to live so much. It is imperative to carry her legacy forward." And that is what I have tried to do in the eight and half years since she died. Endowing The Elise Shapira Memorial Fund, and knowing all the good it does for so many women and their families who face what Elise did, has been deeply rewarding. I know it would make my sister happy.

I am honored to receive FORCE's Community Empowerment Award. As a medical geneticist starting my career in 1996 when the BRCA test first became available, I began seeing families with hereditary cancer. I felt happy to provide information that could clarify—who in the family has inherited the cancer risk and who has not—but it was so disheartening that we knew so little about what to do for those affected. I searched for some type of support to offer families that went beyond our scientific knowledge...and that's how I found FORCE. I'll never forget the feeling I had as I began reading the stories on the Message Boards...the desire for connection, the questions, fears, caring and support being offered so openly.

I began referring every family to FORCE, but I felt there must be a way to do more...to combine clinical care and research with advocacy, support and educational resources to better serve the community. My life changed forever in 2004 when I invited Sue Friedman to share the work we were each doing separately and the possibilities for collaboration. Maya Angelou said, "A friend stands beside you, and under you, and lifts you up." Sue is that person, and like so many successful organizations that mirror the values of their founder leader, that is FORCE.

I have witnessed FORCE's power to make a life-saving difference, to inspire and empower others. I've been driven to help discover answers to critical questions in the hearts and minds of so many families… Who else in my family is at risk? How can we prevent cancer in my kids and grandkids? When will better therapies be available? Like most challenging but worthwhile endeavors, it is the 'village' that contributes to empowering our community with data, education, caring and hope. Hope for a cancer-free future is the ultimate goal; until then, hope for better prevention options and effective treatments with minimal side effects. I am so very thankful for FORCE, and especially Sue as our leader, standing beside us and lifting us up, working tirelessly for a better future.

I was fortunate to grow up with the love and encouragement of 3 incredible grandparents. Although none lived closeby, they were always part of holiday and birthday celebrations. They lived long and full lives and eventually moved close to my parents providing me more opportunities to visit them, listen to their stories and introduce them to my young children. I never met my fourth grandparent, my father's mother who died of breast cancer before he was 10 years old. He has only faint memories of her and she will always remain a missing piece of my life. Her sister also succumbed to breast cancer at a young age in the days when hereditary cancers were not well known and the BRCA mutations had not been discovered.

After genetic testing became available, my father was found to carry a BRCA1 mutation and my parents recommended that I get tested when I was in my early twenties. I remember our discussion of this during a family vacation and my thoughts about how my life's trajectory could radically change. Recently married at the time, my husband supported my decision to be tested. I am a firm believer that knowledge is power. Thankfully, I did not inherit the gene mutation and have not had to live under a cloud of cancer concern. My heart goes out to those not as lucky, but I remain encouraged by the progress being made to help those with BRCA mutations. Early detection and risk reducing strategies are available, and medical research to prevent the clinical expression of BRCA mutations continues. As a member of a family affected by hereditary cancer, I am committed to helping others learn to gauge their risk and explore their options for clinical management.

Born in Argentina, Debbie is dedicated to supporting the Latino/a communities to help reduce disparities, improve access to care and ensure inclusion in clinical trials and research. Her passion for empowering others and amplifying marginalized voices within the hereditary cancer community has been evident in every endeavor she undertakes. Debbie has played a pivotal role in shining a spotlight on cancer disparities, particularly during Minority Health Month. By highlighting the unique challenges faced by minority communities in accessing resources and support, she has sparked important conversations and spurred action toward greater equity and inclusivity.

Denardi's commitment to FORCE as a volunteer, board member and donor continues to make a difference for our community. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Debbie Denardi on this well-deserved honor and express our gratitude for her ongoing commitment to creating a brighter future for all those facing hereditary cancer.

Judy has made a profound contribution to our mission through her volunteer work in six different roles as a Helpline Volunteer, Patient Advocate Leader, Peer Navigator, Project Volunteer, Research Advocate, and Virtual Community Leader. Her work has touched the lives of countless individuals and families affected by hereditary cancer, offering comfort, support and invaluable guidance. Judy’s kindness, empathy, and knowledge provide reassurance to those facing difficult decisions—whether it’s about reducing hereditary cancer risk, navigating treatment options or finding clinical trials and resolving insurance challenges.

Judy’s passion for support, research and fundraising is at the heart of everything she does:

a) Support: Judy has been the driving force behind our Previvor Support group, managing monthly Zoom meetings with a dedicated team of 25 volunteers and genetic experts. This safe space has allowed Previvors to share their unique experiences, voice concerns and ask questions. The group has grown significantly under Judy’s leadership, attracting 50-80 attendees each month— a testament to her commitment to making everyone feel welcome and heard.

b) Research: For years, Judy has diligently reviewed and updated the clinical trials featured on FORCE’s website. She searches for new, high-priority studies for the hereditary cancer community and ensures they are accessible to all. Her ability to translate complex research into plain language for our website has had a huge impact on how our community stays informed.

c) Fundraising: Judy has played a key role in raising funds and awareness for FORCE, working primarily with two Brighton stores during their Power of Pink Campaigns in Texas. Plus, when FORCE needed help staffing our inaugural Chevron Houston Marathon Weekend event, she took the reins with generosity and determination. She has since committed to leading this event in the years ahead, engaging with organizers year-round and promoting our mission to participants.

Judy’s contributions go far beyond the roles she fills—it's her passion for representing FORCE and her eagerness to support our mission that sets her apart. She exemplifies what it means to support others, and we are deeply grateful for her dedication to our community.

We are truly honored to celebrate Judy’s remarkable service with FORCE since 2014 and the immense difference she makes every day and congratulate her for this well-deserved recognition.

AWARDEE REMARKS

I was grateful to have found FORCE back in 2013 when I first found out about my BRCA1 mutation.  The online resources, and the listening and sharing at in-person Support Group Meetings truly gave me comfort.  Giving others that same comfort and support was important to me, which is why I started volunteering with FORCE.

I consider all of us who volunteer for FORCE analogous to an amazing symphony, where we all contribute in our own ways to making beautiful ‘music’.  I am humbled amongst my peer volunteers and honored to be selected to receive the Teri Woodhull Spirit of Empowerment Award. 

Thank you, FORCE, for being there when I needed you. 

Thank you, FORCE, for giving me opportunities to be part of a wonderful volunteer team, where the opportunities are fun and rewarding, and allow me to expand my abilities.

Thank you, fellow FORCE volunteers, for all the interactions, learnings, and growth you have allowed me to experience.

I look forward to contributing to FORCE’s mission and to honoring Teri’s legacy.