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Rev. Dr. Karen Greif, Co-founder, Board Chair
Karen Greif envisioned the idea of a cancer support network after receiving her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2000 and completing surgery and chemotherapy. After investigating existing programs, Karen chose to use an existing model, CanCare of Houston. She then left her position of 12 years as Associate Pastor at Hope Presbyterian Church in Austin in order to work full-time establishing the Cancer Support Network. In addition to being ordained in the Presbyterian Church, Karen has a BBA with a concentration in marketing from the University of Texas, an MBA with a specialty in Accounting from San Diego State University and both a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Bill Greif, Co-founder, Board Vice-Chair
Bill Greif was the primary caregiver for Karen, his wife of 34 years, through her cancer experience. Bill's career has included ten years as a professional baseball player with the Houston Astros, the San Diego Padres, and the St. Louis Cardinals. After retirement from baseball, Bill began a real estate career in the central Texas area and currently makes his living from real estate investments. He was Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of Texas with a BA in Psychology and has also earned a Masters in Education with a major in Counseling and Guidance from Texas State University. Bill has worked as a volunteer counselor at the Samaritan Center for Counseling and Pastoral Care in Austin and works within the Network as a volunteer caregiver, trainer, fiscal manager, fundraiser, and liaison to the corporate community.
Laura Davidson-Albachten
Laura Albachten brings a wealth of experience to our Board of Directors. After graduating from the University of St. Thomas in 1988, she worked for several years for Literacy Volunteers-Texas, helping small communities start their own literacy groups. She has served as a volunteer coordinator for Meals on Wheels, a branch responsible for delivering over 1700 hot meals every weekday. In addition, she has also given her time to acting as volunteer coordinator for local hospitals, including Brackenridge and St. Davids, as well as for the Far Northwest Caregivers. In October of 2004, Laura was diagnosed with chondroblastic osteosarcoma, a cancer so rare that treatment was not available in Austin. She and her husband, Rudy, moved to Houston for several months while Laura was a patient at MD Anderson.
Cindy Manning, R.N.
Cindy Manning has been an oncology nurse in Austin for 24 years. Her first opportunity to work in this field was in 1982 at Holy Cross Hospital, a small hospital that was located in East Austin. Holy Cross was closed in 1989 and she transferred to Seton Hospital and continued in the Oncology department. She is currently a case manager with Seton Cancer Screening and Early Detection program. The clinic services culturally diverse individuals from the Asian and Muslim communities, as well as migrant farm workers. She has done breast exams in Churches and City offices, Chamber of Commerce rooms, food pantries, and community clinics. In 2004, one of the co-founders, Jane Lewis, contacted her about being a resource person for Cancer Connection. She served as a guest speaker for many of the volunteer training classes and was impressed with the quality of the program. She was invited to join the Board of Directors in January 2006.
Patti Simmons
As Assistant Vice President of Foundation Relations at the Texas Methodist Foundation, Patti Simmons brings many years of experience in public relations, marketing, grant writing, and fund raising to her work on Cancer Connection's Board of Directors. She is one of the founding members of the board, organized in January 2005. Patti received her master’s degree in English from Baylor University. Following graduation, she was a research writer and editor at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio followed by a public relations and marketing communications specialist at Datapoint, a San Antonio computer company. In addition, she taught composition and literature classes at San Antonio College and St. Philip’s College. As a caregiver during her mother's experience with breast cancer, Patti understands the vital need for a community of safety, trust, and mutual experience for cancer patients and caregivers.
Bios to be coming soon for additional Board Members:
Galen Adams
Jamie McNally
Ann Myer, LCSW
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