On December 4, 2025, a dedicated cohort of 15 cancer survivors and caregivers began an intensive journey to transform their personal hardships into a collective force for systemic change. Spanning diverse geographic regions, cultural backgrounds, cancer types, and life experiences, these individuals came together to graduate as the 2026 class of the Latino Cancer Patient Advocate Training Program.

Over an intensive eight-month curriculum, this cohort navigated a rapidly evolving cancer care landscape, learning how to translate personal trauma, ongoing treatment, and cancer recurrences into actionable advocacy. Despite facing personal hurdles and health setbacks to cross the finish line, these newly minted patient leaders are now prepared to elevate their voices among decision-makers, shape research opportunities, and advocate for equitable healthcare access within the Latino community and beyond.

Reflecting on the profound journey of the cohort, program co-creator Dr. Barbara Segarra-Vázquez of the University of Puerto Rico highlighted the deep sense of community forged throughout the program.

"They have built a space where love, empathy, encouragement, joy, and even sadness can be shared openly," Dr. Segarra-Vázquez said. "A space where opportunities are celebrated, challenges are faced together, and learning never stops. A space where collaboration replaces competition and where every person’s voice matters."

2026 Latino Cancer Patient Leader Cohort and Their Vision for Change

In honor of the newest group to join the ranks of Latino cancer patient leaders, the graduates are already setting ambitious goals to utilize their training to support patients, caregivers, and families across the United States and Puerto Rico.

Arnoldo Rodríguez of Texas, a lymphoma and prostate cancer survivor, is launching a dedicated prostate cancer support group in September 2026 in partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Health Cancer & Surgery Center. His vision includes expanding the initiative to host bi-monthly meetings—alternating between Spanish and English—with plans to establish a corresponding lymphoma support group shortly after.

In Oregon, breast cancer survivor Brooks Fuentes is focusing her post-training efforts on expanding patient advocacy through tailored outreach and essential resources for young Latinas impacted by breast cancer. Leveraging her role within the Oregon Cancer Coalition, Fuentes aims to build stronger, more sustainable relationships between the coalition and Latino communities, bridge critical gaps in survivor care, and introduce vital new perspectives to state-level health discussions.

Kansas resident and breast cancer survivor Carolina E. Uribe Abad is utilizing her personal survivorship to raise broader awareness about cancer prevention, empower individuals to advocate for their own healthcare needs, and foster supportive networks for fellow survivors. A central part of her mission is connecting affected individuals and their families with critical mental health support and community resources.

In Southern California’s Imperial County, cervical cancer survivor Claudia Pérez-Favela is continuing her tireless work to educate Latinas who face systemic barriers to cancer prevention, early detection, and resource navigation. Pérez-Favela is spearheading a community project designed to establish a sustainable support program tailored to local families facing similar health challenges.

Deborah Blake-Ontiveros of Utah, who is living with metastatic breast cancer, is committed to making vital patient information and educational resources genuinely accessible to Spanish-speaking patients. By sharing her personal story, she hopes to ensure that patients feel informed, seen, heard, and deeply empowered to demand better healthcare.

In Florida, breast cancer survivor Diana Garibaldi is channeling her survivorship experience into strengthening the mission of BBellaBStrong, an organization dedicated to empowering Latina women and all individuals affected by breast cancer by providing bilingual education, support, and resources.

Jackie Berrios Branch, a breast cancer survivor based in Oregon, is turning her focus toward institutional representation. With her training complete, she aims to increase the presence of Latino cancer patients and survivors on cancer advisory boards and program planning committees, ensuring that lived experiences directly inform cancer services, resources, and research agendas.

Javier "JC" Cantu of Texas, representing the vital perspective of cancer caregivers, is dedicated to investing in the future of the training program itself by identifying and recruiting prospective applicants to ensure others can benefit from the same transformative leadership development.

José Adorno, an Ohio-based lymphoma survivor, remains driven by a simple yet powerful mission: to impact as many lives as possible, whether directly or indirectly, and let people know that there are advocates who care deeply and stand ready to support them through their darkest hours.

Karen Estrada of Florida, an acute myelocytic leukemia survivor, aims to serve as an inspiration to families navigating the complexities of a cancer diagnosis. By sharing the truth about cancer and demonstrating how resilience can emerge from pain, she hopes to educate patients on diverse treatment options, including the importance of clinical trials.

Mignaliz “Nanny” Vega-Morales, a colon and ovarian cancer survivor, is setting her sights on addressing Latino cancer challenges across local, state, regional, and national levels. Her goal is to champion health improvement for Hispanic and Latino populations by leveraging shared experiences to systematically dismantle barriers in healthcare access, education, and prevention.

Melissa González, an endometrial cancer survivor from Florida, is dedicated to continuing her education and using her platform to ensure patients feel heard, supported, and confident in speaking up for their medical needs.

In Illinois, lung cancer survivor Monica Binciguerra is working to establish or partner with an existing organization to develop dedicated programming for the Latino community. She aims to create tailored content and resources that ensure cancer education is linguistically accessible and culturally resonant.

Shirley Pacheco of California, a breast cancer survivor, continues to dedicate her time to volunteering with hospitalized breast cancer patients and assisting a nonprofit organization focused on women’s cancers. She actively facilitates support groups and aspires to eventually serve professionally as a patient navigator.

Tristana I. Vázquez Torres of Puerto Rico, a colorectal cancer survivor, is committed to advancing the integration of safe, accessible movement and wellness practices directly into standard cancer care. She aims to support clinical research studying how integrative wellness programs can meaningfully improve the quality of life for cancer patients and survivors.

The Evolution of the Latino Cancer Patient Advocate Training Program

The 2026 graduating class joins an expanding network of advocates who are actively working to improve cancer outcomes for Latinos and communities nationwide. The program was originally established in 2023 by Dr. Barbara Segarra-Vázquez and the late Sandi Stanford of the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation, who together recognized the urgent need to secure a seat at the table for Latino voices.

The inaugural cohort of 15 Latina cancer survivors convened ahead of the 2024 Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos Conference, sparking a national movement to place survivors in leadership positions where they could leverage their lived experiences to guide future patients. Today, graduates from the program serve on committees, advise healthcare organizations, collaborate with media outlets, and actively shape public health education and prevention initiatives.

Demonstrating the enduring bonds of the network, two alumni from the inaugural class—colon cancer survivors Marielle Santos McLeod of South Carolina and Andrea Suarez Vargas of Miami, Florida—returned to support the 2026 graduating class, officially welcoming them into the growing fold of Latino patient leaders.

As the latest graduates receive their diplomas, program organizers are already looking ahead to the next phase of leadership development. Applications for the upcoming training program cohort are scheduled to open in 2027.

"You really have to have passion to become a patient advocate," Dr. Segarra-Vázquez reflected. "It’s that desire to help others, that desire to speak for those who cannot speak, maybe because they’re not sitting at the table, or maybe because they’re not here anymore. It’s our role to continue the legacy and to have fewer people or no people at all die from cancer."

This publication is dedicated to the loving memory of program co-creator Sandi Stanford, a breast cancer survivor and advocacy pioneer who dedicated her life to improving cancer outcomes for Latinos and all people before passing away on August 29, 2026.