Our Mission

Cancer patients should never feel alone on their journey.

The Journey Fund is a community-based organization committed to cancer patients facing barriers that affect their treatment.

Donations and community resources make it possible for us to assist cancer patients facing social, financial, or emotional obstacles, toward a courageous journey, with dignity. Our purpose is to provide these services through acts of kindness.

Meet the board

Sibel Blau, MD
Founder, President

Medical Oncologist

Dr. Blau has been in clinical practice since 2001. She is also very involved with clinical research program at Northwest Medical Specialties where she is the Medical Director for Hematology-Oncology division and is the head of the Precision Medicine program.

Yarrow McConnell, MD FACS Vice-President

Surgical Oncologist

With over 10 years experience providing cancer surgery, I believe compassion, attention to detail, and collaboration are the keys to providing every patient with the very best in care.

Michelle Haslinger, MD Secretary

Breast Surgical Oncologist

Michelle Haslinger, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon specializing in breast cancer surgery. Deeply committed to building a lifelong partnership with each patient in their fight against breast cancer, she provides both high quality surgical care as well as emotional healing and support.

Suzanne Maniatis
Treasurer

Local small business owner retired, Food Service Director/Registered Dietitian at Multicare Good Samaritan and Tacoma General Hospitals, retired.

Served on a variety of Foundation Boards including Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community and the Board of Visitors for Children’s Therapy Building program at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Mary Stumph, Co-Founder
Past Executive Director

Retired Pharmaceutical Account Manager

Mary Stumph graduated with a degree in Pharmacy from Washington State University. She recently retired after a 30 year career in pharmaceuticals with Eli Lilly & Co. Mary is a breast cancer survivor and passionate about helping patients with their journey through cancer. She is excited for her role as Executive Director of The Journey Fund.

Alicia Burton
Board Member

Pierce County Superior Court Judge

Alicia was a deputy prosecuting attorney for 20 years until her appointment to the Pierce County Superior Court bench in January 2020. Alicia is passionate about community involvement. She is a long-time member of the Junior League of Tacoma. She is Coordinator of Project Easter, a project that donated Easter baskets to children at Mary Bridge Hospital, and an avid fundraiser for the American Heart Association, in support of her son who was born with a congenital heart defect and who has endured multiple medical procedures. Alicia holds a B.A. in English from Washington State University and a J.D. of law from University of Washington. Alicia joined The Journey Fund’s Board in April 2019.

Laureen Skrivan
Board Member

President of Wren & Willow, Inc.

Laureen Skrivan is President of Wren & Willow, Inc. a design-build general contractor. She began the company in 2008, has been a board member of the Master Builders Association of Pierce County for ten years, and served as their president in 2014.

Abra Kelson
Board Member

Abra Kelson, LICSW, serves as the Supportive Services Supervisor at Northwest Medical Specialties (NWMS), providing supervision to the social work and patient navigation programs.  Additionally, she leads the local Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) Chapter and is the Program Director for Cancer Support Community at NWMS, setting up supportive programs, including supportive groups and educational workshops for people in the community affected by cancer. 

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Kathy Kearney
Board Member

Retired HR Senior Manager from the Boeing Company after 38 years. With over 13 years as a breast cancer patient, 10 years in remission and now as a metastatic breast cancer woman, she understands first hand what cancer patients are going through. Kathy is passionate about helping others going through their cancer journey and giving back wherever she can.
She feels blessed to have my tribe fighting alongside her as she continues the cancer journey and is excited to contribute as part of the Journey Fund board.