LaDonna L. Christian, PhD, RN, APHN-BC, is a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, nurse educator, and caregiver to her husband, Charles “Chuck” Christian, a prostate cancer survivor. In 2016, LaDonna recognized that Chuck’s frequent nighttime urination—sometimes eight or nine times a night—required medical attention and encouraged him to see his doctor. He was subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer that had already spread to his ribs, skull, and other areas of his body, with an estimated 150 to 200 tumors. LaDonna has remained an essential source of care, strength, and support throughout his extraordinary cancer journey.

Professionally, LaDonna joined the Department of Nursing at Simmons College 15 years ago as a faculty member in the Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program and was named the program’s director one year later. She earned her Doctorate in Health Professions Education from Simmons College, her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan College of Nursing, and her master’s degree in Community Health Nursing from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She also completed an advanced practice certification in community health nursing and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Health Professions Education.

Her clinical expertise is in public health nursing and environmental health, with a focus on policy and underserved and minority populations. LaDonna spent 17 years in public health working with patients affected by HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and tuberculosis. She began her teaching career at Brockton Hospital School of Nursing and has also taught at South Shore Regional Technical School and Coppin State University School of Nursing in Baltimore, Maryland.
LaDonna and Chuck have been married for 45 years. Together, they have three sons and 11 grandchildren.

Cherry is a retired radiation oncology nurse, dedicated community advocate, and breast cancer survivor based in Charleston, South Carolina. Drawing from her extensive clinical background and personal health journey, she devotes her retirement to supporting cancer patients and eliminating the fear associated with a diagnosis.

Cherry is a founding director of the Second Chance Women’s Cancer Support Group, where she provides vital guidance and emotional support to women navigating their health journeys. Her commitment to healthcare equity and patient education is further reflected in her service on the Community Advisory Board for the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Hollings Cancer Center.

In addition to her advocacy work, Cherry is a devoted caregiver to her husband, Charles, a prostate cancer survivor.

Married for 64 years, Cherry and Charles are caregivers to each other as well as their families. Their shared strength and resilience deeply inform her compassionate approach to patient empowerment and community wellness throughout the Charleston area.

Marvell Adams Jr. is a nationally recognized leader working at the intersection of caregiving, aging, health equity, inclusion, and systems transformation. As CEO of Caregiver Action Network — the nation’s leading family caregiver organization — he is helping shape a future where caregiving is recognized and supported as essential social and economic infrastructure.

A sought-after speaker, strategist, and thought leader, Marvell’s work explores the connections between caregiving, aging, disability, disability, disability, disability, workforce participation, mental health, technology, and social justice. Drawing from both executive leadership and deeply personal caregiving experiences — including serving as a youth caregiver within his own family — he brings a uniquely human and system-oriented lens to conversations about care, dignity, and belonging.

Christian “Chris” Nelson, PhD, is the director of the Walther Center for Supportive Oncology at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Walther Professor of Supportive Oncology and professor of psychiatry and medicine at IU School of Medicine. Dr. Nelson will also serve as chief resilience officer for the cancer center.

Dr. Nelson leads the Walther Center for Supportive Oncology, where he is instrumental in developing clinical, education, and research initiatives.

His research interests include the impact of cancer on quality of life in prostate and geriatric cancer patients, and the development of new talk therapies for these patients. His research also includes sexual dysfunction after treatments, cognitive effects of hormonal therapy in prostate cancer patients, and emotional well-being in Black men with prostate cancer.

As a researcher, his work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, and he has launched independent research programs in male sexual medicine, prostate cancer and the psycho-oncology of aging and cancer. He has published more than 180 research articles.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in speech communication from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He earned a master’s and a doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Long Island University.