PUBLISHED: 15th November 2023
I was initially introduced to FORCE as a resource for patients during my training as a genetic counselor. Many years later, a previous patient (and now a good friend) reached out and asked me to help start our local state FORCE support meetings. I was so honored to be a part of a local resource for patients. During my time as a volunteer, I have learned so much more about all of the resources, support, and information FORCE provides to individuals with hereditary cancer and also to medical providers. I am currently the Director of Clinical Operations for the Genetics team at Tennessee Oncology. It is wonderful as a genetic counselor to be able to offer patients a reliable online resource for their diagnoses. The world has changed since 2019 and FORCE has grown, expanded, and adapted to include many hereditary cancer predisposition conditions and offer a variety of national online support meetings. We no longer hold our in-person support meetings. However, I am lucky to be a part of three FORCE virtual groups including Beyond BRCA and Lynch: ATM, CHEK2, PALB2 & Other Mutations, People with Lynch Syndrome, Survivors and Young Survivors. Volunteering with FORCE is one of the highlights of my career. I am proud to support FORCE and I am grateful to have this community and wealth of resources to provide to individuals I speak with every day.