About Us
Strength Through Presence
Research has shown when young adults receive adequate social support, they respond better to treatment, recovery times improve, and positive outcomes increase. We’re leveraging these research findings to provide education and resources that focus on strengthening the patient support network. It is within our reach to be better supporters and ensure an improved experience and quality of life for all young adults with cancer.
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Our Mission
We improve the quality of life and health outcomes of young adults with cancer through programs that promote and strengthen connections between young adults and their communities of support
Programs
Our Vision
Every young adult diagnosed with cancer feels connected and supported throughout treatment and beyond.
Join the Movement
Our Community
b-present is focused on serving the young adult cancer community between the ages of 15-35 and their support networks. Young adults face many unique challenges as they forge new relationships, seek personal and financial independence, attend school, start a career, begin a family, and fund their own medical expenses. When a cancer diagnosis enters this already chaotic phase of life, it can be difficult to find balance and support. b-present is committed to working with cancer survivors, supporters, health professionals, advocates and other like-minded organizations to provide solutions that best serve this unique age group.
Join the Community
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The Board
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Abby Westerman
Co-Founder and Board PresidentAbby spent 34 years as an engineer for the Navy before retiring in 2018 to run b-present full time. Pursuing her Nonprofit Management Certificate at USD, Abby is a Mom on a Mission. With Kirsten as her inspiration, she is committed to improving the support for young adults with cancer. Abby lives in San Diego with her husband John, and they have a son Andrew (Kirsten’s big bro and Abby’s advisor on computers, music, and life).
FUN FACT: Abby loves playing soccer with her border collie Leo, and if you’re ever at EDC Vegas, you might just see her under the Electric Sky. -
Brianna Matias
Co-Founder and Board SecretaryBorn and raised in San Diego, Bri is a SoCal girl at heart working multiple jobs on her pursuit to becoming a physician. When she is not working as a medical assistant for Planned Parenthood, or teaching yoga at Corepower Yoga, she is dedicating her time to telling her best friend Kirsten’s story through b-present’s mission.
FUN FACT: Bri not only loves dogs but has four sassy French bulldogs. She likes to say she walks the dogs, but truly, they walk her. -
Jordann Phillips
Co-Founder and Board ChairpersonA passionate story-teller, Jordann is a communications professional that works to convey complex messages to key audiences. Not so complicated is her dedication to sharing Kirsten’s story and furthering b-present’s mission. When she’s not busy telling others’ stories, she’s working on her own and is on track to publish her first book this year.
FUN FACT: Jordann is a self-proclaimed “healthy foodie” who’s never ashamed to pay extra for avocado and finds life to be much more enjoyable when eating. -
Kelly Watson
Co-Founder and Board TreasurerKelly is a proud member of the b-present team! b-present is SO meaningful to her as Kirsten was her best friend since the age of 6 years old. She knew how ambitious Kirsten was about making positive changes for young adults in similar situations to hers, which is why she is so passionate about helping Kirsten carry out that dream. Kelly is currently in graduate school pursuing a masters degree in occupational therapy where she hopes to one day open her own practice.
Fun Fact: Kelly loves hiking, working out, and soaking up the San Diego sun at the beach.
The Team
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Abby Westerman
Chief Executive Officer + VolunteerAbby spent 34 years as an engineer for the Navy before retiring in 2018 to run b-present full time. Pursuing her Nonprofit Management Certificate at USD, Abby is a Mom on a Mission. With Kirsten as her inspiration, she is committed to improving the support for young adults with cancer. Abby lives in San Diego with her husband John, and they have a son Andrew (Kirsten’s big bro and Abby’s advisor on computers, music, and life).
FUN FACT: Abby loves playing soccer with her border collie Leo, and if you’re ever at EDC Vegas, you might just see her under the Electric Sky. -
Brian Hayes
Public Relations Specialist + VolunteerBrian developed his passion for helping others at a young age, logging 500+ hours of community service en route to achieving Eagle Scout. In college, he focused on public service and exposing societal injustices, studying Investigative Reporting and Leadership and Public Service, while volunteering for homeless services. He’s spent his career in PR, helping startups and nonprofits grow and improve the world – and is thrilled to be a part of b-present. FUN FACT: Brian loves SCUBA diving but can’t do a regular dive to save his life.
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Chiara Riga
Survivor Content Creator + VolunteerChiara was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in September of 2020 at age 27. Through the time she’s been living with MBC, she discovered a passion for patient advocacy and breaking the stigma of cancer conversations. This passion led her to b-present, and she is excited to join the team and help ensure all AYAs feel supported through and beyond cancer. FUN FACT: When she’s not working as a marketing operations manager and advocating for her health and the health of others, she loves spending time at the beach with her dog, traveling, hiking, and training for Spartan Races.
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Justin Peters
Digital Content Creator + VolunteerSince finishing college, Justin has been working to solve people problems as an Operations Specialist for JW Terrill. The passion that the b-present team has for making a difference in the lives of young adults is what led him to get more involved with the organization. It means a lot to him to be a part of a team that wants to make an impact on the lives of those in a less fortunate position.
Fun Fact: Originally from St. Louis, he enjoys being able to be outside 365 days a year and visiting the different national parks near southern California. -
Tori Heppermann
Creative Director and Community ManagerPreviously a wannabe beach bum trapped in small-town Missouri, Tori moved to San Diego with her boyfriend post-graduation to dip her toes in the sand and explore a career in digital marketing and graphic design. It was the discovery that her creative ideas had the potential to make an impact on the world that led her to b-present, and she hasn’t looked back since. FUN FACT: Tori loves rollerblading, boogying to live music, and her two Pomeranians that never stop barking.
The Advisors
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Amy Schneider
Cancer Survivorship Case Manager + SOMBFAB Founder and FacilitatorAmy has been a pediatric hematology oncology nurse at the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders since 1987. She is currently the Cancer Survivorship Case Manager and is excited to have almost 1200 pediatric cancer survivors on her database! Amy is the proud founder and facilitator of SOMBFAB (Some of My Best Friends Are Bald), a support group for teens and young adult cancer patients and their siblings. Amy loves b-present because it’s her belief the most important thing in this world is our connections to our loved ones.
FUN FACT: Amy loves to take nature photos with her iPhone. -
Nick Iannarino
Assistant Professor of Health Communication at University of MichiganSince joining the faculty at the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2014, Nick has worked to help young adults living with cancer and their closest supporters communicate better. With b-present, Nick is excited to help this community maintain their relationships and support one another during a really difficult time. Nick lives in Metro Detroit with his wife Sarah and daughter Rose.
FUN FACT: In his free time, Nick likes to cook, golf, and play soccer. He’s also (slowly) working his way through the American Film Institute’s Top 100 movies list. -
Pam Simon
Stanford Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program ManagerPam spent most of her 30 year nursing career working with pediatric oncology and recently she’s been able to pursue her passion by starting the Stanford Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program in 2015. Through her work with Teenage Cancer America, she is promoting awareness and education on the unique needs of this population.
She lives in Menlo Park, CA with her husband and her playful pup, Frankie. They have 2 boys who are following in their parents footsteps as college athletes. Pam can often be found hiking and biking in the Bay Area hills and enjoying the outdoors.
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Sign up for updates, stories, and info on how to get involved.
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Our Values
We are an organization committed to our mission, bold in our approach, inclusive and welcoming to all who share our passion to make the world a kinder, more empathetic, and connected place, especially for those in our community who are struggling and need support. The values that define us:
Bold AF – Unconstrained by the way things have always been, we’re dedicated to shifting the paradigm of what it means to show up and be present. We’re unfiltered, innovative, and colorful as we boldly challenge the status quo.
Mission-driven – Our dream that every young adult with cancer feels connected and supported is at the heart of everything we do, day in and day out, as we put in the hard work to create lasting change.
We get it(ish) – As supporters, we’ve been there, but that doesn’t mean we have all the answers. We lean into the discomfort of vulnerability and the truth that we can do hard things; we know you can, too.
Stronger together – We celebrate and value diversity and inclusiveness, maintaining a judgment-free zone for all. We are committed to ensuring our team and community are supported regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, or experience.
b-yourself – We show up as ourselves and hold space for others to do the same. There is no “right” way to break through the uncomfortable and awkward barriers caused by a cancer diagnosis. All we can do is show up – no matter what – to b-there.
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We're making an impact.
Since our founding in 2017, we have been focused on increasing awareness, learning and sharing the challenges that exist within our young adult cancer community, expanding our reach, and inspiring change within the young adult support community. We have laid a foundation that will facilitate the growth of our programs, our audience, and, most importantly, our impact as we move forward. We are stronger together and would not be here without the generosity and giving spirit of our donors and volunteers.
View our progress