One Herd

One Herd is an innovative and integrative way of using content, stories, and community to better understand and effectively address health disparities in access to care for the medically underserved.

Elephants and Tea is excited to be launching a four-phase, two-year content campaign to give a voice to all.

Our goal is to further understand the needs of the underserved communities and then amplify those stories by educating the professionals that serve the AYA cancer community.

Phase 1: Research
Building the foundation through research – COMPLETE

Phase 2: Analyze and Create – April 2023 – COMPLETE
Analyze research and create content that focuses on these stories

Phase 3: Marketing – April 2024 – ONGOING
Create and execute the marketing strategy – schedule virtual events and travel to conferences across the United States

Phase 4: Evaluate – December 2024 – ONGOING
Review and analyze our impact with this program, plus, what can we implement going forward

As part of this initative, we have created a special edition magazine of Elephants and Tea.

In the world of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer advocacy, the truth is hard to ignore: biases based on race, age, gender, and other factors continue to shape experiences of care in harmful ways. Too often, these voices go unheard, and the impact of such disparities lingers without the attention they deserve.

In this new issue of Elephants and Tea, we’re proud to feature stories that speak to these biases. Through these powerful narratives, we also present findings from a survey conducted with our community, which will help shape the course of this initiative in the months ahead.

We are truly grateful to the authors who have entrusted us with their stories and for being vulnerable in doing so.

We are partnering with our dear friend Yolanda Murphy and her TEJ Media brand to bring an innovative and integrative way of using content and stories that effectively address health disparities in access to care for the medically underserved.

Yolanda will act as the content strategist for the One Herd initiative.

If you have never heard her podcast “This Exceptional Journey” or heard her speak at numerous cancer events, be ready to feel her charisma and fun-loving attitude that helps to empower others to use their own voice.

TEJ Media

TEJ Media exists to inspire, empower, and ignite young adults facing a cancer diagnosis. We inspire by instilling hope for a life fulfilled despite their circumstances, helping to give context to their newly received diagnoses. Next, we empower them mentally by providing resources to help them navigate and come to accept their new normal. Finally, through advocacy and self-realization, we ignite young adult cancer survivors to physically see the beauty in their lives; encouraging them to teach others about their journey, and helping to dismantle false ideologies and oppressive systems on a local, regional, and national level.

Thank you to the following individuals who are helping us craft the One Herd Content Campaign.

Yolanda Murphy

One Herd Content Strategist

Yolanda Murphy is a Research Specialist and a Clinical Trial Ambassador with the University of Pittsburgh and The Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh, PA. She is currently a board member and the African American support group facilitator with Young Adult Survivors United (YASU). Yolanda also serves as an Advocacy Ambassador with the Susan G. Komen Center for Public Policy. As she approaches 7 years since her own breast cancer diagnosis, Yolanda’s mission is to see an end to racial and socioeconomic disparities and inequities BIPOC patients face and to ensure every young adult diagnosed with cancer knows they are not alone.

Natasha Renee Burse, DrPH

Postdoctoral Research Associate, UNC Chapel Hill

Dr. Natasha Renee Burse is a Postdoctoral Research Associate and National Cancer Institute (NCI) K00 fellow at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. Her primary research focuses on understanding factors that influence and hinder physical activity participation and that contribute to the quality of life (e.g., mental wellbeing) of cancer survivors as well as racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes (e.g., survival). Dr. Burse’s long-term goal is to design and deliver culturally tailored supportive care interventions to reduce racial disparities in cancer-related outcomes. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Biopsychology from the University of Cincinnati, a Master of Science in Kinesiology and Health with a concentration in Health Promotion from Miami University of Ohio, and a Doctorate in Public Health with a concentration in Community and Behavioral Health from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. Prior to UNC, she was a Cancer Prevention Research Training Program fellow at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and an Introduction to Cancer Research Careers Program fellow at the NCI.

Averi Allison

Graduate Student

At 20 years old, 5 months prior to graduating from the Ohio state university, Averi Allison was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She decided that cancer was not going to keep her from graduating. Determined to achieve her goal, she graduated from the Ohio State university with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and triple minors in Musical theater, Music Media enterprise and Entrepreneurship. During her time at Ohio State, she had the privilege of leading multiple student organizations, creating and coordinating a natural hair symposium titled Natural Hair: The Experience, and participating as an active member of Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. As a Christian woman, Averi is a firm believer that although life throws you adversity that you can’t control. God is always in control and everything works for your good. Averi is currently a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University pursuing a master of Entertainment industry management. She hopes to use her degree to work at the intersection of tv, film and music.

Lauren Ghazal, PhD

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Michigan

Dr. Lauren Ghazal is a young adult cancer survivor, family nurse practitioner and post-doctoral research fellow. Her dissertation focused on work-related challenges and financial toxicity in adolescents and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Her broader program of research builds on her background in economics, clinical, and personal experiences to address cancer survivorship in adolescents and young adults.

Hernán Barangan

Film Producer

Hernán Barangan was diagnosed with Leukemia as a teenager, and while undergoing radiation therapy, he fell in love with TV and movies as a way to escape. His post-cancer life would teach him that storytelling is actually about turning and facing your fears — so he directed and stars in CANCER REBELLION (Executive Produced by Roger Daltrey of The Who), for which he traveled to all 50 states to interview 100 young adult cancer patients. He also directed THE 100%, a fully-immersive 360° interactive experience to benefit StandUp2Cancer; it won the Tribeca X Award and was nominated for an EMMY. Recently, he wrote a pivotal episode for Apple+’s LIFE BY ELLA, nominated for a WGA Award. He’s also one of NBC’s 2022 LAUNCH writers; a marathon hand-cycler, has rebuilt a VW from the ground up, makes a mean green smoothie and is proudly half Salvadoran, half Filipino, and all-guns blazing.

Dana L. Kirkpatrick

Founder, Calm Pittsburgh

Dana L. Kirkpatrick, founder of Calm Pittsburgh, is an accomplished therapist who has been practicing for more than 15 years. Dana employs an eclectic approach — focusing on each client’s unique situation. She has a genuine interest in providing tools which assist clients along their path to mental health satisfaction, and operates from a collaborative approach — which includes the client as an active participant in the therapeutic process. Prior to becoming a therapist, Dana’s experience consisted of working with families whose children were on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. This work, along with her natural strengths and personality, have resulted in her skills-based therapeutic approach. She incorporates a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy model — the positive results of which are undeniable in reducing symptoms of anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), among other issues. During the past 12 years, she also has gained extensive experience working with couples on various issues, helping to guide them on a path of relationship health and satisfaction. Her work as a Certified Sex Therapist through the internationally recognized AASECT organization has gained her notice in the field. Dana’s 2010/11 breast cancer battle taught her much about managing stress, assertiveness, and living life to the fullest. Her insights and recovery efforts paid off: she is now cancer free, wiser, and more compassionate. Dana’s clients will never be without support, guidance, and resources, as she helps clients cultivate tools and processes necessary to reach their goals and find their own place of calm.

One Herd

As part of this initative, we have created a special edition magazine of Elephants and Tea.