Passionate friends trying to make a difference fighting cancer
Lucy
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Lucy is the founder of Friends of CONANCA. She is from Nicaragua and volunteered at CONANCA during 2012, seeing on a weekly basis the need for resources at the single pediatric oncology hospital in the country. A large percentage of the population served at this hospital lives on less than two dollars a day so not only does the hospital need help to finance treatment and infrastructure but the families are also in need. After 5 months in Nicaragua, she returned to their home in New York City and one month after their return her fourteen month old, Alex, was diagnosed with leukemia.
Alex was treated at Columbia Presbyterian and after seeing the level of care and support they received, she was motivated to help CONANCA raise funds and provide better care to those they serve and ultimately cure every child. Since the diagnosis of her daughter, she has also been involved with Leukemia Lymphoma Society by sharing their story to help raise funds for cancer research through LLS. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Richmond and a Master of Education and MA in Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University. |
Carmen
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Carmen was born and raised in Nicaragua. She is a former marketing executive. Her husband's career has based them in London, Paris and New York where they now live with their twin boys.
Having put her professional career aside, Carmen and her husband started a small charity back in Nicaragua focused on education - something which she is very passionate about - providing a private education for children of low-income households to improve their opportunities of having a better future. Giving them the tools they need to get out of the cycle of poverty. Her experience with this charity gives her the necessary tools to facilitate between Friends of CONANCA, based in NYC and CONANCA in Nicaragua. Carmen studied Marketing and Global Business at University of Mobile, Latin American Campus based in Nicaragua and has worked at INCAE, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Philip Morris and Lexmark UK. |
Heather
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Heather Lefcourt is an Art Therapist who helped develop and grow an art therapy program for sexually abused children in Harlem in New York City. This program, at The Northside Center for Child Development, treats victims and their families using art and other creative forms of expression, along with talk therapy to help heal the whole family. Heather headed the program for three years, treating over 100 children and their families before taking time off when her son Isaac, and daughter Violet were born.
Heather has a Bachelor's Degree from Loyola University in Criminal Justice and a Master's Degree in Art Therapy from NYU. Heather has been passionate about helping children and families in need throughout her career. |
Joelle
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Joelle Dellis is the executive assistant to CEO/Founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, one of the world's largest Hedge Funds. She plans and coordinates all personal, business, family and charity matters for the founder and his family. After a close friend's child developed Leukemia, she learned about the difference in care between pediatric oncology facilities in NYC and in Nicaragua. She strongly believes that focused efforts can do amazing things for children in Nicaragua by improving their access to world class pediatric cancer care locally. She became committed to changing the way children in Nicaragua are treated and improving their infrastructure.
Having seen firsthand how her close circle of friends and her boss are able to make a real difference by channeling their energy into great not-for-profit projects, she is excited to be able to contribute and create events that bring like-minded people together to drive real change. She earned her Bachelor of Communications degree from Long Island University. She is married to her Australian husband and they currently live with their three sons in Roslyn, New York. |
