Jamie Gibbard, Founding Trustee, Operations and Secretary
Jamie was diagnosed with stage IV ALK+ lung cancer in 2019, after having a seizure very unexpectedly at the age of 33.
He works full-time in software engineering and lives in Kent, in the UK, with his wife Cat and their five-year-old son Robin.
Jamie sits on the ALK Positive Inc. board to help to bring about change for the ALK+ community internationally.
Jamie's experience as a young father, contending with his diagnosis and the re-emergence of metastases to the brain, have made him into a strong advocate for furthering research into ALK+ cancer.
Jamie's other passions include cooking with his family, walks in nature and gaming.
Joanna Jonathan, Founding Trustee, Co-Treasurer and Fundraising
Jo began having symptoms, such as a chest infections, a cough, weight loss and hoarse voice, while pregnant and was finally diagnosed with stage IV ALK+ lung cancer in 2019 - a full year later.
She lives near Manchester, in the UK, with her husband Daniel and two young beautiful girls.
Jo has a large social media presence where she uses her personal story to put ALK+ cancer in the public domain and help to change stigmas and outdated notions of lung cancer.
Jo also sits on the advocacy board for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and is involved in many campaigns and fundraising efforts.
In her spare time, Jo likes to spend time with her family, enjoys Escape rooms and nice wine.
Catherine Gibbard, Founding Trustee, Co-Treasurer and Community
Cat is the loving wife and caregiver to ALK+ patient Jamie and full-time mother to their son Robin.
Cat has a background in running small charities and strongly believes in our ethos that research saves lives. She is known to many in our ALK+ cancer community not only as a friend, but someone to rely on for empathy, support and ALK+ knowledge.
Her other passions include gardening, animals, in particular cats and cooking with her family.
Yvonne Diaz, Chair & Communications
Yvonne is a strategic communications professional with 30 years' experience at global organisations. She lives in London, in the UK, with her husband, teenage twin sons and dog.
Yvonne was diagnosed with stage IV, ALK+ lung cancer in September 2021, after initially seeing her doctor for a cough that would not go away.
The low level of research funding into lung cancer and lack of awareness that never-smokers can get lung cancer have inspired Yvonne to advocate for research, raise awareness and support others with this incurable disease. Yvonne also volunteers for ALK Positive Inc and is an active member of Lung Cancer Europe.
Jan Clark, Trustee and Fundraising
Jan works in the medical industry and lives outside Bristol, in the UK, with her husband and family.
One of her four daughters, Amy was diagnosed by chance in March 2020, with ALK+ lung cancer at the age of 20.
As a concerned parent, Jan researched and came across some amazing and innovative ALK+ cancer treatments. However, many of these are inaccessible in the UK.
This has inspired Jan to join up with like-minded ALK+ cancer advocates and help push for change.
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