Did you know that cancer can run in families? This webinar will include information from genetics experts, inspiration, resources, and answers to your questions. Members of the Facing Hereditary Cancer EMPOWERED (FORCE) community who have learned about cancer in their family, will share insights and steps they have taken to protect themselves and their relatives.
Verinda Hobbs
Partnerships Strategy Manager
Facing Hereditary Cancer EMPOWERED (FORCE)
When Verinda’s younger sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993, it took the family by surprise. Resources and access to genetic testing was practically non-existent in the African American community. There were minimal resources for young African Americans diagnosed with cancer and no roadmap to follow. Despite the family’s best efforts at educating themselves on existing treatments, dietary changes, holistic and traditional therapies, Verinda’s sister lost her fight with breast cancer at the age of 32. Devastated by this loss, Verinda and her youngest sister were driven to complete genetic testing a few years later, only to find that they both carry the BRCA1 gene mutation. Verinda was introduced to FORCE by her breast surgeon. FORCE became her go-to for the latest information and resources. She volunteered for FORCE for several years, focusing on the issue of healthcare disparities. She joined FORCE staff in 2022. Verinda holds a Bachelor of Science degree and has over twenty years of corporate experience as an Account Executive in both pharmaceutical and medical device sales.
Marisol Rosas
Support Program Manager
Facing Hereditary Cancer EMPOWERED (FORCE)
After losing her mom to ovarian cancer at a young age, she had genetic counseling and testing and learned that she has a BRCA1 inherited mutation. She is a previvor and proud of it. She has managed FORCE’s Peer Navigation Program for many years and in 2024 joined the FORCE staff full-time as Support Program Manager. She is also involved in her Hispanic community and has participated in several conferences, both at home and beyond our borders.
Juanita Rogers, MS, CHES, PhD Candidate
Vice President of Health Education and Communication
Facing Hereditary Cancer EMPOWERED (FORCE)
Juanita Rogers has extensive experience in health education and health communication. A Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®), Juanita is driven by her passion for empowering patients and families. She has a BS in Public Health and minor in Spanish from The University of Arizona. She completed a MS in Public Health Education and Promotion from Walden University and is currently a doctoral candidate focused on Public Health Education and Promotion.
Laura Moreno, MS, CGC
Genetic Counselor
City of Hope
Laura obtained her master’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in Genetic Counseling in 2020 from the University of South Florida. Laura has had multiple publications regarding health disparities in the genetic counseling field and cancer education avenues for minority populations in different journals including the Journal of Genetic Counseling. As a second-year genetic counseling student she was awarded a platform presentation at NSGC where she presented her thesis work on educating community members about hereditary cancer risk as an avenue to improve identification of high-risk individuals for HBOC in the Latino population. Aside from working as a cancer genetic counselor, Laura is an adjunct professor at Bay Path University where she co-teaches the capstone course for genetic counseling students, and she works as an independent contractor developing genetics workshops for public health and medical professionals. Laura is very passionate about advocating for diversity in the field of genetic counseling and reducing barriers for minority communities to access genetic services. You can also find her in the kitchen baking cakes on her free time.
