Our Mission
Our mission is to build community and support for the AYA cancer community through wellness, storytelling, education, and research.
We work to support AYAs facing cancer through community building and survivorship support with Elephants and Tea and our wellness programs.
We raise money to fund research to cure cancer through the Harry and Angie Giallourakis AYA Cancer Research Fund.
Why We Do What We Do
Angie and Harry Giallourakis founded The Steven G. AYA Cancer Research Fund (now the Steven G. Cancer Foundation) 14 years ago in honor of their youngest son Steven who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 15 years. Steven is the inspiration behind the SGCF mission.
Steven is now a four-time cancer survivor. He beat four different cancers: At age 15 (stage 4 osteosarcoma), at 18 years (secondary AML) and most recently at age 29 years (pleomorphic sarcoma and renal cell carcinoma).
As a family, the Giallourakis’ have witnessed the triumphs and tribulations Steven has gone through as a patient and survivor. The family is very aware that Steven’s health is but one example of the suffering that takes place when an adolescent or young adult is diagnosed with cancer.
SGCF believes cancer survivorship and quality of life go hand in hand. Our programs reflect that. We strive to support and create resources in the areas of wellness, social support, education and research.
The Staff

Nick Giallourakis (He/Him)
Executive Director
Nick Giallourakis (He/Him)
Executive Director

Kayla Fulginiti, LCSW, OSW-C (She/Her)
Senior Director
Kayla Fulginiti, LCSW, OSW-C (She/Her)
Senior Director

Lisa Orr (She/Her)
Brand Director
Lisa Orr (She/Her)
Brand Director

Brett Gnadt (She/Her)
Event Strategist
Brett Gnadt (She/Her)
Event Strategist

Nicci Scimone
Community Engagement Coordinator
Nicci Scimone
Community Engagement Coordinator

Yolanda Murphy
One Herd Content Strategist
Yolanda Murphy
One Herd Content Strategist

Liz Hiles (She/Her)
Happy Hour Coordinator
Liz Hiles (She/Her)
Happy Hour Coordinator
Board of Directors

Jennifer Anand
Member
Jennifer Anand
Member

Kristina Rus Cullis
Member
Kristina Rus Cullis
Member

Polly Furey
Vice President
Polly Furey
Vice President

Lauren Ghazal, PhD, FNP-BC
Member
Lauren Ghazal, PhD, FNP-BC
Member

Angie Giallourakis, PhD
Member, Co-Founder
Angie Giallourakis, PhD
Member, Co-Founder

Harry Giallourakis
Member, Co-Founder
Harry Giallourakis
Member, Co-Founder

Steven Giallourakis
President
Steven Giallourakis
President

Nick Hudson
Member
Nick Hudson
Member

Natalie Kelly, PhD, ABPP-CN
Member
Natalie Kelly, PhD, ABPP-CN
Member

Stefanie Thomas, MD
Member
Stefanie Thomas, MD
Member

Andrew Mitro
Treasurer
Andrew Mitro
Treasurer

Chris Weiss
Member
Chris Weiss
Member

Patricia A. Pophal
Member
Patricia A. Pophal
Member

Joey Terry
Secretary
Joey Terry
Secretary
Medical Advisory Committee
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- Dr. Mike Roth
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- Dr. Stefanie Thomas
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- Kayla Fulginiti, MSW, LCSW
- Whitney Hadley, MA, MSW, LSW
Patient Advisory Committee
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- Jennifer Anand – Co-Chair
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- Jay Carty – Co-Chair
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- Averi Allison
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- Christian Bullock
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- Cristina DiFranco
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- Kimber Harris
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- Josh Hepner
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- Ellen O’Brien
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- Sha’Leicia Simpson