More than 100 community members, healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates, and public health leaders have been working together since February 2026 to develop South Carolina's 2027-2031 State Cancer Plan. The plan serves as the state's roadmap for reducing the burden of cancer and improving outcomes for all South Carolinians and their families.

Strategy and Evaluation Consultant Dr. Vinita Leedom has been supporting seven workgroups as they meet regularly to review data, identify priorities, and develop strategies that will guide cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, survivorship, genetics, pediatrics, and community health, policy, and advocacy efforts over the next five years.

On May 15, workgroup members gathered at the Girl Scout Leadership Center in Columbia for a day-long planning session focused on collaboration, discussion, and visioning for the future. Representatives from healthcare organizations, community groups, public health agencies, academic institutions, and advocacy organizations worked together to refine objectives and identify opportunities to improve cancer outcomes across South Carolina.

The South Carolina Cancer Alliance extends its sincere appreciation to the dedicated volunteers serving as workgroup chairs, co-chairs, and members. Their expertise, leadership, and commitment exemplify the strength of South Carolina's cancer community and are helping shape the next chapter of cancer prevention and control in our state.

Cancer Plan Workgroup Leadership

Prevention

Chair: Leanne Alexander
Co-Chair: Selena Lowery

Early Detection

Chair: McKenzie Speed
Co-Chair: Macy McFarland

Diagnosis and Treatment

Chair: Harley Davis
Co-Chair: Annie Thibault

Survivorship

Chair: Lee Moultrie
Co-Chair: Whitney Wright

Genetics

Chair: Dr. Amy Messersmith
Co-Chair: Karen Wickersham

Pediatrics

Chair: Dr. Anna Hoppmann
Co-Chair: Tessa Roberts

Community Health, Policy and Advocacy

Chair: Nicole Echols
Co-Chair: Beth Johnson

Cancer Plan Workgroup Members

Prevention

Marvella Ford, Brian Orr, Sonya Younger, Natalie Copeland, Hallie Heffner, Macy Helton, Tracie Lewis, Beth Poore, Sheila Squire, Kelvin Gadson, Amanda Hendrix, Claudia Barrett, Trisha Amboree, Tracy Smith, Zack King, and Glenn Hickman.

Early Detection

Tara Morris, LaTasha Johnson, Eric Wallen, Anthony Poole, Anna McKenna, Tracie Lewis, Annie Thibault, Valerie Diaz, Stacey Williams, Tayshiana Pressley, Kalyani Sonawane, Christina Paul, and Nicole Echols.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Gloria Foster, Ricardo Padilla, Mark Harris, Ashley Cothran, Benjamin Stone, Stephanie Chiodini, Tyrone Wilson, Zack King, Kalyani Sonawane, and Nicole Echols.

Survivorship

Asya Hart, Alma Busby-Williams, Cindy Erb, Beth Harris, Julia Humphries, Niyana Thorpe, Falecia Miller, Eliza Boulware, Sonya Younger, Nicole Echols, and Kiara Baylock.

Genetics

Bridgitt Aufmuth, Glenn Burrell, Vinita Leedom, Sonja Rasmussen, Annie Thibault, Allison Bellomo, Nicole Echols, and Kelly Kashmer.

Pediatrics

Bezawit Kase, Aniket Saha, Caitlin Sullivan, Stephanie Chiodini, Brenda Thorpe, Tony Alberg, Anca Dumitriu, Stuart Cramer, Grainne Owen, and Michelle Hudspeth.

Community Health, Policy and Advocacy

Karen Mace, Michael Norris, Alisa Blanchard, Suzanne Sanders, Meg Stanley, Katie Free, Eric Schleuter, Annie Thibault, Tracie Lewis, Maclain Gutkin, and Kiara Baylock.

The South Carolina Cancer Alliance looks forward to unveiling the 2027-2031 South Carolina Cancer Plan at the 2026 South Carolina Cancer Alliance Annual Meeting.

Interested in Joining the Effort?

It is not too late to contribute your ideas and expertise. If you would like to participate in the Cancer Plan development process, please contact cancerplan@sccancer.org. We welcome new voices and perspectives as we work together toward a future with less cancer and more survivorship in South Carolina.