Speakers Bureau

Through Triage Cancer’s Speakers Bureau, cancer centers, hospitals, cancer organizations, and other groups that are coordinating educational events or cancer conferences can be connected with expert speakers on various cancer survivorship issues.

Triage Cancer's Speakers Bureau also includes cancer survivors and caregivers who have experience sharing their cancer journey with a variety of audiences. If you are planning an event, it is a good idea to request speakers as early as possible. Some of our speakers are often booked months in advance.

Below you can learn more about each speaker, sort speakers by particular areas of expertise, request a speaker directly, and read about potential topics that you may want to include in your next event!

Photo of Laura Holmes Haddad

Laura Holmes Haddad

Work Phone: 4155785429 Website: lauraholmeshaddad.com

Biography

Laura Holmes Haddad is a breast cancer survivor, writer, and speaker from the San Francisco Bay Area. A graduate of Smith College and the California Culinary Academy, Laura was a cookbook editor and writer before refocusing on cancer and self-advocacy.

Laura was diagnosed with Stage IV inflammatory breast cancer in 2012 at the age of 37 and is currently NED (no evidence of disease). As she transitioned from active patient to survivor, Laura began working as a patient advocate and speaker. She was asked to represent the patient perspective at the “Cancer Moonshot” Roundtable in March 2016 at University of California, San Francisco, where she spoke to Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden about her successful treatment, which hinged on a targeted therapy in a clinical drug trial. She also discussed the impact of the proposed health insurance changes on cancer patients at Congressman Jared Huffman’s Town Hall meeting in April 2017. Laura has spoken at a wide variety of events, including leadership conferences, cancer survivor and medical conferences, and cancer fundraisers (including the American Cancer Society, the Plumpjack Foundation, SoulRYEDERS, Livestrong at the YMCA, and the BRCA Foundation). In addition, Laura works with the adolescent and young adult support group at UCSF and is developing a program for young adult cancer patients with children while in treatment.

Laura has also participated in two media campaigns highlighting her successful cancer treatment. She was part of Blue Shield of California’s “Customer Care” campaign, where her story was captured on film and involved appearances at Blue Shield company events. Laura was also one of the patients selected for the UCSF campaign “Redefining Possible,” which included television, digital, and print ads.

As a writer, Laura set out to share all the details of her journey she learned along the way that she knew would help other patients and caregivers. The result is This is Cancer: Everything You Need to Know, from the Waiting Room to the Bedroom, published in October 2016 by Hachette Book Group/Seal Press and by Blackstone Audio. Big details (like second opinions, finances, and clinical drug trials) and seemingly small details (like parenting while in treatment, preparing for surgery, and coping with PTSD) are discussed from a patient’s perspective. This is Cancer has received positive reviews from patients, caregivers, and the medical community. Laura has an active book event schedule that includes book signings and events across the U.S. She is also a frequent guest blogger on several cancer and medical websites where she writes about various aspects of cancer treatment and survivorship. Laura has been interviewed on numerous national radio programs and has been a guest on several podcasts.

Laura lives in Northern California with her husband and two children. For more information about Laura, please visit her website: lauraholmeshaddad.com.

Topics: Clinical Drug Trials; Compassion Fatigue; Humor & Medicine; Parents & Cancer; and Survivor Experiences.