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
b-present is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that improves the experience of young adults with cancer through programs and digital campaigns that promote connection and support. This mission will be achieved through two initiatives: b-aware and b-connected.
Programs
Our Community
b-present is focused on serving the young adult cancer community between the ages of 18-35 and their support networks. Young adults face many unique challenges as they establish personal and financial independence, attend college or start a career, begin a family, pay for their own medical expenses, and often have limited access to support services. When a cancer diagnosis enters this already chaotic phase of life, it’s even more difficult to find balance and support. b-present is committed to providing solutions that keep these unique challenges top of mind.
Join the Community
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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. -
Tori Heppermann
Creative Director and Community ManagerPreviously a wannabe beachbum 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. -
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.
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 MemberBorn 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 MemberA 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 MemberKelly 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 Advisors
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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. -
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. -
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.
Join Our #SupportSquad
Sign up for updates, stories, and info on how to get involved.
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Since our founding in 2017, we have been focused on increasing awareness, continuing to learn and share the challenges that exist within our young adult cancer community, expand our reach and inspire change within the young adult support community. 2019 was an important year, and we have laid a foundation that will facilitate 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 generous and giving spirit of our donors and volunteers.
