January, 18th 2025: Join us for food, drinks, dancing, and author sharing — all to support our mission. Learn more here!

Who Are We?

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

    • Dr. Mike Roth

    • Dr. Stefanie Thomas

    • Kayla Fulginiti, MSW, LCSW

  • Whitney Hadley, MA, MSW, LSW

Patient Advisory Committee

    • Jennifer Anand – Co-Chair

    • Jay Carty – Co-Chair

    • Averi Allison

    • Christian Bullock

    • Cristina DiFranco

    • Kimber Harris

    • Josh Hepner

    • Ellen O’Brien

    • Sha’Leicia Simpson