Executive Board of Directors
Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, Executive Director, Founder & Past President
Karen Moran McAndrew, President
Suzanne Cahill-Manning, Vice-President
John Vesia, Secretary
James Hashem, Treasurer
Board of Directors
Joan Cagginello
Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager
Diana Lopusny, MD
Maureen Moran LeBlanc
Kathy Mathews
Betsy Nilan - University of Virginia / College Contingent
Zinelle Peterson
Reverend Thomas E. Ptaszynski, D. Min.
Jody Ramik
Diane Davins Sullivan
Caryn Sullivan - Ex-Officio
Jennifer O'Flynn - Director of Pretty In Pink Development
Sheri Doborwicz - Committee Member, Data
Randi L. Wiggins - Intern, Yale School of Management
Consulting Board
Christopher Conley, CPA
Kelly Ann Harkins, MD
Karen Laugel, MD
Carol Mack
A. Dennis McBride, MD, MPH
S. Ashley Roberts, M. Ed.
Anna Rubino
Genevieve Salvatore, Esq.
Marsha Schultz, RN
Andrea Silber, MD
Barbara Ward, MD
"Ambassador of Hope" - Amy Brechon
Mary Nilan - 12th Grade, Chairman
Natasha Babchak - 12th Grade
Sophie Cappello - 5th Grade
Kiley Cappetta - 9th Grade
Taylor Gomez - 7th Grade
Casey Lilley - 12th Grade
Todd Manning - 9th Grade
Maggie McAndrew - 9th Grade
Edward Nilan - 10th Grade
College Youth Ambassador Board:
Kristine Casey - Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Taylor Fries - University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Taylor Ritzel - Yale University, New Haven, CT
Emily Rowen - Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Mary Pat Wixted - Yale University, New Haven, CT
Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, Executive Director, Founder & Past President
Mary Ann is a Breast Cancer Survivor, Health Activist, Executive Director and Founder of The Get In Touch Foundation.
On February 4, 2004, Mary Ann was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer and began a grueling life saving protocol of dose dense chemotherapy, followed by a bi-lateral mastectomy. During this time, Mary Ann and writer-friend, Susan Patrick, along with photojournalist-friend, Christopher Capozziello, began documenting her journey of chemotherapy, mastectomy and reconstruction, having been unable to find a resource that could provide the powerful imagery she sought to help her through this difficult time. Creating this groundbreaking series of images, "A Diary of Healing" will help educate, comfort, and ultimately, empower women diagnosed with cancer, as well as those that love them. ("A Diary of Healing" exhibit is available by contacting exhibits@chriscappy.com.)
Mary Ann, a former midnight shift police officer in CT, is also an actress and model, having worked for ten years on the ABC soap opera, All My Children, as well as on numerous independent films, commercials and voice-overs. She has hosted the quarterly video newsmagazine, Aetna In Action since 2002, and is a public speaker promoting Breast Cancer Awareness & Education. She has been a public speaker in the area of Elementary School Advancement for the National Catholic Educational Association, and in January 2007 was the recipient of the Milford Chamber of Commerce Human Services Award for "unselfish service, care and concern for people in need." Mary Ann spent nearly six years as Director of Advancement & Enthusiasm for Saint Ann Church and School in Milford, before taking the helm as full-time Executive Director of Get In Touch in June 2008.
In 2007 Mary Ann received an Official Citation from the State of Connecticut General Assembly in honor and recognition of her Dedication and Extraordinary Service in Creating Awareness Toward the Treatment and Prevention of Breast Cancer.
Mary Ann's enthusiasm and passion are born from her genuine love of people and relationships. She values her faith, her family and her friends. She enjoys working with other dynamic, high energy people committed to the greater good and has found the Get In Touch Board of Directors to fit this bill to a T!
Mary Ann's children Mary and Eddy are students at Saint Joseph High School in Trumbull, while daughter Betsy is a freshman at the University of Virginia. She thanks God every day for the blessings He continues to bestow on her, promising always to find new ways of reaching out to those in need.
Karen Moran McAndrew, President
Karen Moran McAndrew is a life-long Milford, Connecticut resident, with the exception of the two years she lived in Ireland with her family, during high school. She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Sociology. She is currently employed as Director of Human Resources at GHP, a large full service printing company located in West Haven, Connecticut, a job she loves.
She is an active parish member at her church, Our Lady of Victory, as a choir member, recently traveling to Rome to perform with the music ministry and as a Eucharistic Minister, two ministries she enjoys very much.
A Making Strides for Breast Cancer volunteer for the past six years, Karen is very happy to be on the Executive Board of The Get In Touch Foundation. She truly believes that education is one of the key components in helping detect breast cancer early. She resides in Milford with her husband Bill and her teenaged daughter Maggie.
Suzanne Cahill-Manning, Vice-President
Suzanne is the President of Red Mat Publishing. Throughout her career in publishing Suzanne has been responsible for the development and supervision of a number of successful publication, book and Internet product launches. In addition to her professional experience Suzanne currently serves on the boards of The United Way of Milford, The Get In Touch Foundation, The Network of Executive Women, and serves on the Board of Aldermen for the City of Milford. She is a member of a number of civic and community-based organizations including The Milford Chamber of Commerce, Milford Hospital Auxiliary, and The Milford Historical Society. Suzanne received her B. S. in Philosophy at Sacred Heart University and has received many business awards within the business community including: The Business Times 40 under 40 and Milford Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year. In addition Suzanne holds two citations from the State of Connecticut for Business Expertise and Community Development. Suzanne resides in Milford, CT with husband Jim and their children, Todd and Maryalice.
John Vesia, Secretary
John's background is in graphic arts and commercial printing. For the past 22 years, he has held positions of increasing responsibility in commercial printing. He started his career as a press operator for a firm in New Jersey. John's move to Connecticut in 1988 marked his transition to management, first at Allied Printing in Manchester, where he worked for 8 years, and then at W.E. Andrews. Since 2006, he has served as the Vice President of Manufacturing at GHP in West Haven, a position that draws upon both his manufacturing and people management skills. John was born in New York City and has two daughters, who attend George Mason University and Northeastern University.
James Hashem
Jim is presently Chief of Staff of Kingdom Life Christian Church, Milford, CT. After graduating from Northeastern University, Boston, MA with a BSEE and a MSEE, Jim held various electrical engineering and engineering management positions with several Boston area companies before starting his own high technology manufacturing company. After running the company for 28 years, Jim sold his company in 2000 and moved to Orange, CT in 2001. While running his own company, Jim, with partners, was involved in the start-up of several other high technology companies.
While in Massachusetts, Jim was involved at the Board level of several non-profit organizations. For 12 years he served on the Board of the Resource Partnership whose mission is to unite employers, people with disabilities, and rehabilitation agencies for the purpose of promoting and increasing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Jim was a Director and Treasurer for Sylvia’s Haven, a non-profit corporation providing living assistance and training for battered and/or homeless women and their children. Before moving from Massachusetts, Jim was Chairman of the Finance Committee of Grace Baptist Church.
Jim has a strong interest in education, was appointed by the Governor to the Board of Trustees of Mount Wachusetts College, Gardner, MA, and was Chairman of the Industrial Advisory Committee of the Shriver Job Corps Center in Ayer, MA. Jim presently, along with his wife Leticia, serves on the Advisory Board of Danita’s Children, a Christian orphanage in Haiti.
Joan Cagginello
Professionally I have been a registered nurse for over 30 years, working in a variety of settings including intensive care, oncology, quality management and public health. I was a staff member of the first in-patient Oncology Unit at St. Vincent's Medical Center in the late 1970s. For the past 14 years, I have been working in public health and school health services. I am a member of the National Association of School Nurses and am the current Past-president of our state affiliate professional organization, The Association of School Nurses of Connecticut. I am a leader in the field of school health in our state and I am a member of the Cadre of Trainers from the CT State Department of Education; providing continuing education programs to school nurses and other professional school staff throughout the state.
Personally, my husband Bill and I have been Milford residents since 1977. I have two grown children who also live in Milford, Melissa, an 8th grade special education teacher in the Fairfield school district and Nick, an aspiring Physical Education & Health teacher, having completed his student teaching in December of last year.
Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager
Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager is an author, teacher, workshop presenter and speech-language pathologist. She has conducted workshops for children and adults since 1994. Her current favorite, Healing with my Pen, guides participants through journaling exercises as a healing practice.
Laura celebrates remission with her husband, Paul, a fellow cancer survivor. Her memoir, Swimming On My Wedding Day is an intimate glimpse into their remarkable lives. They live along the Connecticut shoreline with their two cats in the home that Paul built.
Maureen Moran LeBlanc
Maureen Moran LeBlanc has been working in the nonprofit sector for over ten years. She is currently the Director of Information and Support Services at Connecticut Children's Medical Center Foundation, a position she has held for approximately six years. Prior to this position, Maureen worked in Oregon, Illinois, and Texas. She received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy from the University of Vermont and a Masters in Public Administration from Indiana University. After receiving her degree from Indiana University, Maureen participated in the Dunn Fellowship working in the State of Illinois Governor's Office. Maureen and her husband, Jon, reside in East Hampton, CT. Maureen enjoys hiking, knitting, reading and spending time with her sixteen nieces and nephews.
Diana Lopusny, MD
After having worked for two pediatric groups to gain valuable experience, Milford resident Diana Lopusny, M.D., F.A.A.P., opened her pediatric practice May 18, 2009. The office is located at 88 Noble Avenue, Suite 101. “Preferred Pediatrics,” whose motto is “traditional, loving, modern care,” provides care to infants through early adulthood (age 21).
A graduate of Ross University, Dr. Lopusny did her residency at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Preferred Pediatrics see patients from Fairfield and New Haven County, including those in Milford, Stratford, Orange, West Haven, Shelton and Woodbridge. More affectionately called “Dr. D” by her patients, Diana is a member of The American Academy of Pediatrics, The Milford Chamber of Commerce, and its Health and Wellness Council. She will also be providing help to teens in the community as well as offering regular Breastfeeding, CPR, and Nutrition, Infant Massage and Green classes at her new office.
Dr. Lopusny embraces a homeopathic platform combined with traditional medicine for children’s health care, and is active in many local and statewide organizations.
Kathy Mathews
Kathleen Cahill Mathews is a registered nurse with 30 years of experience in many areas of nursing including HIV/AIDS and organ transplantation. She is currently employed by the New England Organ Bank as a Hospital Relations Coordinator in CT, the focus of which is education and promotion of organ and tissue donation.
Kathy's mom was a breast cancer survivor, one of the first who participated in the clinical trials of Tamoxifen. She knows many who have survived breast cancer and many who have not. Promoting behaviours that may ultimately lead to better health and longer life is a great way to make a living and spend your free time!
Kathy is married to Ken, resides in Milford, CT. She is mom to her 3 children, Alex, Ruslan and Vera.
Betsy Nilan
Betsy Nilan, 18 from Milford, CT is the daughter of Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, breast cancer survivor and founder of the Get In Touch Foundation. Betsy, a member of the United States Rowing Junior National Team, is a 2009 graduate of Saint Joseph High School in Trumbull, CT and is a freshman at the University of Virginia, where she will continue to row competitively. Betsy is a founding board member of the Get In Touch Foundation along with her siblings Mary and Eddy, and has been instrumental in the development of the Get In Touch Girls' Program & Daisy Wheel. Betsy is proud of the Get In Touch Foundation and its mission to "change the world one girl at a time!"
Zinelle Peterson
Zinelle Peterson grew up in the quiet corner of Connecticut and moved to Milford in 1991 when she got married. She has worked in a marketing capacity for major corporations across many industries including insurance, television and web hosting. Zinelle is currently the owner of Z1 Design, LLC, a graphic design and web development firm in CT that she started in 2001. She has had quite a few non-profit clients and enjoys volunteering whenever possible. She loves what she does and loves her clients.
In 2006, Zinelle researched, planned and traveled on her own to Africa for 6 weeks to volunteer at a nature reserve in Bostwana. She lived within the walls of the reserve with a wonderful family that founded the park. In exchange for living there, she provided web design for their business, an African crafts exporting company. During her stay there, she was able to experience the camps at the Education Center. The Center was the site of 4 week-long camps for kids, mostly orphans, whose families had been afflicted with AIDS. The Center was started as a Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, the camps that Paul Newman founded, and was mostly run by volunteers from area colleges and religious organizations. It was an experience she will never forget with the lasting impression of how rich and full of excess our American lives are and how grateful we should be for every healthy breath we take.
The Get In Touch Foundation has special meaning to Zinelle as her grandmother had breast cancer and a double mastectomy. The GIT web site was designed by Zinelle and she is thrilled to be a part of the Board of the Get In Touch Foundation to add her world experiences, her far reaching connections and her internet knowledge to the group.
Reverend Thomas Edward Ptaszynski, D. Min.
Ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Hartford in 1973, Thomas Edward Ptaszynski has served in parishes in Cheshire, Hartford, Milford, New Milford and West Hartford. Tom was the founding pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes in New Milford before his appointment to Saint Ann Parish in Milford, where he pioneered Inter-Generational Religious Education for the parish, which also included an elementary school. He is a member of the National Association of Church Personnel Administrators and the National Catholic Educational Association, as well as a former Board Member of the Hartford Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Tom is especially proud to be an original Board Member of The Get In Touch Foundation and currently acts as Spiritual Director for the Board.
Jody Ramik
Jody Ramik is a successful Professional Sales Woman who possesses nineteen years of experience in all aspects of sales and marketing in the clinical and industrial marketplace. Jody has held several positions over the years including Sales Specialist in Female Health Care, Technical Sales Manager, Product Manager, and National Sales Manager. After many years of international and domestic travel, Jody now continues her sales career in Connecticut working in the Pharmaceutical Industry as a Territory Sales Manager.
Jody is one of four siblings and has seen the face of cancer in her own family. Having a brother who passed away from Leukemia at a young age, she understands the need for families to have access to information and a supportive network of people to turn to. A personal friend of Founder, Mary Ann Wasil Nilan for over 30 years, Jody is determined and committed to utilize her experience and help The Get In Touch Foundation in its efforts to raise awareness and help women of all ages find hope in their journey towards survival.
Diane Davins Sullivan
Diane is the Sponsorship Sales Manager for the Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament in New Haven. It is a large scale international event featuring both Men and Women Professional Tennis Players. She is responsible for finding new business and retaining current sponsors by using unique ways to promote their goals via the tournament.
Diane is a Milford native, her first job at 16 was teaching tennis for the Milford Recreation Department and she still teaches part time today. In her spare time, she enjoys finding creative ways to market small businesses through social marketing. Prior, to her current position she was the Tennis Director and event coordinator for the Paugusset Club in Orange.
Diane is member of the Network of Executive Women, the Milford Chamber of Commerce and the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. She is the CT State Representation for both the United States Professional Tennis Association and Professional Tennis Registry.
Caryn Fine Sullivan
Caryn Fine Sullivan has attributed her Midwest upbringing to her positive outlook enjoying and appreciating the little things in life. When diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2004 (invasive ductal carcinoma stage 2,) it wasn't a surprise that the 31-year old attacked her illness and treatments with enthusiasm. After reconstructive surgeries, an aggressive chemotherapy regimen and two years on Tamoxifen, Caryn was able to get pregnant and delivered her first child in December 2008.
Caryn has spent more than 14 years in the sports-and-entertainment industry. She currently works for Disney and ESPN Media Networks where she is responsible for business development; affiliate sales and marketing throughout New England. Prior to Disney and ESPN Media Networks, Caryn's resume spans more than a decade of marketing and sales experience in the event-based Arena world. In various roles she was responsible for promotions and marketing at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), sales and sponsorship for Arena at Harbor Yard (Conn.) and marketing and public relations for Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx/Target Center Arena (Minn.).
Mrs. Sullivan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Miami (OH) University. She lives in Milford, Connecticut with her husband Kevin and son Kyle.
"Ambassador of Hope" - Amy Brechon
My name is Amy Elizabeth Brechon. I am 19 years old and I am a 5-year breast cancer survivor.
My Story
In August 2004, when I was 13 years old, I discovered a lump in my left breast while showering. I felt uncomfortable telling her, but I shared this discovery with my mom. She assured me it was probably nothing — just a “normal” part of developing.
After it hadn’t gone away in a month, we saw my pediatrician who ordered an ultrasound and sent us to a surgeon. The radiologist and surgeon agreed that surgery was necessary and on October 18, 2004 they removed a tumor the size of my thumb.
Fearing it might be cancer, a biopsy was sent to the Mayo Clinic. I wasn’t really worried because I didn’t quite understand what was going on, and my parents kept telling me that it would be OK. I believed them.
Besides, whoever heard of an eighth grade girl with breast cancer?
Bad news came back from Mayo a week later - my tumor was malignant. Its official name is cysto-sarcoma phyllodes tumor, a very rare type of tumor - rare to find in young women and rare that it would be malignant.
My parents took me to a breast cancer surgeon in Chicago to remove more tissue from my left breast to be biopsied just to be sure that all of the cancer was gone. Those margins came back clear, and we were all relieved. Even though my cancer had a low-malignancy, radiation and chemotherapy would not help to fight it.
This experience may sound scary, but for me, it wasn’t. I was very young, and looking back, I don’t think I understood the seriousness of it all. My parents told me not to worry — so I didn’t!
My family and I were impressed by the positive, supportive reaction we felt from our community, and when a fair amount of time after my diagnosis had passed and requests began coming in from local Girl Scout troops inviting me to share my story, I was privileged to oblige. I told the girls, who were about my age when I found the lump, that you are never too young to examine your breasts. Start now! I also told them; if you do find something that scares you, don’t be afraid to tell someone. It could save your life.
My Journey:
Over the past few years my story has received quite a bit of exposure, not only in my home state of Illinois but also all over the country. I have spoken to television and newspaper reporters and have met wonderful, supportive people and many brave cancer survivors. I have been given many wonderful opportunities. I am one of the lucky ones!
I am committed to turning my negative into a positive and am on a mission to spread the message of the importance of breast self-exam.
In the fall of 2009, I received the “Woman of Strength Award” from the Get In Touch Foundation and was invited to be their “Ambassador of Hope.” I am living proof of the importance of breast self-exam as a “breast health” practice – for life! – and was delighted to accept this position, one which I am proud and excited to fill!
Youth Ambassador Board
Mary Nilan - Chairperson
Mary Nilan, 17, from Milford, CT is also the daughter of Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, breast cancer survivor and founder of the Get In Touch Foundation. Mary is a senior at Saint Joseph High School in Trumbull, CT and a member of the Maritime Rowing Club. Mary is a founding board member of the Get In Touch Foundation and is also the chairperson of the Youth Ambassador Board. Mary has been instrumental in the development of the Get In Touch Girls' Program & Daisy Wheel. Mary is proud to work with other young men and young women to bring the Get In Touch Girls' Program & Daisy Wheel to every girl in the world!
Natasha Babchak
Natasha Babchak, 17, from Wilton, CT is a senior at Wilton High School. Natasha is a member of Maritime Rowing Club in Norwalk, CT and a PSIA Level 1 Certified Ski Instructor. She is an active member of the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, currently working towards introducing the Get In Touch Girls' Program & Daisy Wheel to Girl Scouts, young and old. Natasha is proud to be a member of GIT's Youth Ambassador Board and part of such an amazing organization, The Get In Touch Foundation, helping to bring the Daisy Wheel to girls all over the globe - including her three sisters!
Sophie Cappello
Sophie Cappello, 12, is a student at St Thomas Day School in New Haven, CT, where she has helped raise awareness of, and resources for, needs in the community. Passionate about animals, team sports, creative writing, service and making this a better world, Sophie brings enthusiasm and joy to all she pursues. Sophie is grateful for the opportunity to be an advocate of the important mission of the Get In Touch Foundation.
Kiley Cappetta
Kiley Cappetta, 14, resident of West Haven, CT, is a 2009 graduate of Our Lady of Victory School in West Haven, CT. She is a freshman at Lauralton Hall in Milford, CT on full scholarship. Kiley is an active member of her community, dealing especially with youngsters. She is very excited to be a part of the Youth Ambassador Board, and strongly supports the mission of the Get In Touch Foundation. She is honored to participate within the foundation on such a level.
Taylor Gomez
Taylor Gomez, 12, from New York City, is a 7th grader at New York City’s PS 334 The Anderson School. Taylor is an avid sports enthusiast playing with her middle school volleyball, football, basketball, baseball and track teams. This past summer she played with the Chicago Pioneers at Cooperstown Dreams Park, where they were the first all-girl US team to ever compete there. Taylor brings passion and enthusiasm to The Get in Touch Foundation Youth Ambassador Board. Having an aunt who is a breast cancer survivor, Taylor is proud and honored to be a part of GIT's mission to “change the world one girl at a time!”
Casey Lilley
Casey Lilley, 17, is a senior at Wethersfield High School. He has been an activist for youth issues in State and Municipal Governments. He is the Vice Chairman of the Wethersfield Town Council's Advisory Board on Youth. In this capacity he has fought on behalf of Youth Voting Rights groups, childhood literacy foundations, and healthcare services for underprivileged children. He is active in Connecticut politics and a member of the Wethersfield High School, Greater Hartford, and Connecticut Young Democrats chapters. He hopes to bring his experience in these fields and issues to good use through working with the Get In Touch Foundation. Casey is a lifelong resident of Wethersfield, Connecticut.
Todd Manning
Todd Manning 14, from Milford, CT is a freshman at Saint Joseph High School in Trumbull, CT. An avid Red Sox fan, baseball player and Boy-Scout, Todd is passionate about service to his community and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Todd's mom Suzanne, a founding member of The Get In Touch Foundation, and his younger sister Maryalice, inspire him to help carry out the mission of GIT Girls' global initiative.
Maggie McAndrew
Maggie McAndrew, 14 is a lifelong Milford resident and is the daughter of Karen (current President and founding member of The Get In Touch Foundation) and Bill McAndrew. Maggie is a 2009 graduate of Our Lady of Victory School in West Haven, and is a freshman at Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden. Maggie, an active volunteer, is very excited to join the Youth Ambassador Board. Maggie brings her love of science to the board, which helps her to carry out the mission of The Get In Touch Girls' Program.
Eddy Nilan
Eddy Nilan, 15, from Milford, CT is the only son of breast cancer survivor and founder of The Get In Touch Foundation, Mary Ann Wasil Nilan. Eddy, also a rower, is a sophomore at Saint Joseph High School in Trumbull, CT where he has been a member of the Cross Country Team and Drama Club. Eddy is a founding member of the Get In Touch Foundation, along with his sisters, Betsy and Mary, in addition to his involvement with the Youth Ambassador Board, Eddy is proud to be one of three young men on the board, all committed to bringing the Get In Touch Girls' Program & Daisy Wheel to schools, communities and girls all over the world.
College Youth Ambassador Board
Kristine Casey – Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Kristine Casey, 22, is from Bernardsville, NJ and a Senior at Johns Hopkins University. In September of 2008, she became involved in an organization called the 4K For Cancer, the nation's oldest university-based cross country bicycle trek. Each summer, students from universities all across the country undertake a two month journey from Baltimore, Maryland to the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco, California. Along the way, they interact with communities keeping in mind their threefold mission of spreading awareness, raising funds, and fostering hope in the fight against cancer. She completed her first trip on August 1, 2009 as a rider along with 26 other college students. This year, she is preparing for another summer with a new team as the director of the 2010 team. Kristine is excited to spread GIT's program across the country and "plant the seeds of GIT's Daisy Wheels" along the way!
Taylor Fries – University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Taylor Fries, 20 years old, attends the University of Wisconsin- Madison. She balances both academics and athletics as a member of the Wisconsin Women's Lightweight Rowing Team. Taylor plans on becoming a cross-categorical special education teacher in secondary public schools with a concentration on intellectual disabilities. Taylor currently works with individuals with physical disabilites and helps them to stay motivated by creating managable and effective workout/physical therapy plans. Additionally, she is interested in spreading the positive effects of the Get In Touch Foundation and promoting breast cancer awareness by interacting with students in Madison, such as the Rowing Team.
Taylor Ritzel – Yale University, New Haven, CT
Taylor Ritzel, 21, is from Larkspur, CO. Taylor's mom is a breast cancer survivor and has motivated Taylor to become involved in breast health awareness and cancer fundraising efforts. She is currently the captain of the Yale Women's Crew team and plans to continue rowing at the national training center in Princeton next year. Taylor met Mary Ann through her friend and teammate Mary Pat and is so inspired by her and excited to help in the expansion of the Get In Touch Foundation.
Emily Rowen - Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Emily Rowen, 20, is from Baltimore, MD. Emily has a strong family connection to breast as well as an interest in working with female related cancers as an aspiring nurse practitioner. Currently, she is a third year nursing student at Northeastern University and started the Colleges Against Cancer chapter for NU this past summer. This chapter ran an exciting breast cancer awareness program that included speakers, fundraising, educational programs, and hosting the Gallery opening where Mary Ann's pictures were displayed. Emily is the Chairperson of the Get In Touch Foundation's 1st Boston "Pretty In Pink" Brunch & "Woman of Strength" Award at Northeastern University.
Mary Pat Wixted - Yale University, New Haven, CT
Mary Pat Wixted, 21, is a Yale senior and rower from Moorestown, NJ. She is also an active member of the Saint Thomas More community in New Haven where she became involved with the Get In Touch Foundation and Mary Ann's "Diary of Healing" exhibit. Mary Pat has a long history of service, with her finger in pies as diverse as coordinating volunteers for Moorestown's Family Fun Day and fundraising for the Food Bank of South Jersey. More recently she has been involved with Philadelphia's Race for the Cure and Yale's Relay for Life. Endeavors for cancer research and awareness close to her heart, Mary Pat is excited to make a direct impact by empowering students with the GIT program!