Survivor Board

Tiernneé Jefferis
Survivor Board President

Tiernneé is a determined breast cancer survivor, she has been navigating continuous treatments since her de novo diagnosis with stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer in the fall of 2015. Rather than allowing this diagnosis to define her, Tiernnee has become a passionate advocate, proving that stage IV can be more than short term.

Tiernneé shares her power of perseverance and aims that her journey will inspire those around her. With a fair amount of experience in nonprofit work and volunteerism, Tiernneé brings dedication and expertise to the Board. Combined with her ability to tackle challenges head-on and passion to help others, makes her an asset to the organization’s growth.

Tiernneé devotes much of her time to managing her health while also supporting her mother. In her moments of rest, she finds joy in traveling, immersing herself in the world of art—both as an admirer and a creator, indulging in literature, and serving as the beloved comfort human to her Bombay cat, Everly.

Christina Noble
Survivor Board Vice President

A fifth-generation Arizona native, Christina Noble is a dedicated advocate for the local breast cancer community. Diagnosed with stage 3A breast cancer in her early 30s, Christina tackled her cancer journey head-on working as an architect and designer through chemotherapy, a mastectomy, and radiation while also raising her (at the time) pre-school-aged son. Throughout treatment, she found boundless kindness and support from the breast cancer community—a generosity of spirit that she is now committed to paying forward.

Christina has volunteered with Check for a Lump to help others navigate the challenges of a breast cancer diagnosis with an organization that finds a way to bring fun to survivorship. In addition to her time with Check for a Lump, Christina has twice completed a 200-mile charity ride along the California coast to raise awareness and funds for young women battling breast cancer.

With a strong commitment to our local community, she also actively serves on multiple boards and organizations, using her expertise in architecture and design to enhance the hometown she loves. Christina brings creativity and a sense of purpose to her professional and philanthropic endeavors. She is honored to serve on the board of Check for a Lump, helping to empower, educate, and support individuals facing breast cancer diagnosis.

Anita Saesing
Survivor Board Secretary

Anita Saesing is a young breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with ER and PR positive breast cancer at 27 years old.

She has published two personal essays in The Wildfire Magazine. One of the essays was re-shared by Rethink Breast Cancer. She was also interviewed on The Wildfire podcast called The Burn.

She has the heart of a servant leader and enjoys helping her community. Whether that’s encouraging and guiding refugees with their English lessons, serving meals to the homeless, or other types of volunteer work, she always leans in and gives it her all.

In her free time, you'll find Anita writing, traveling, sewing, or spending time with her loved ones.

Marina Blackford
Member, Survivor

Marina Blackford is a two-time breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed the first time at the age of 31 after qualifying for the Boston Marathon. She started treatment for triple negative breast cancer and was able to run the Boston marathon one year later as a survivor.

Five years later, she found a new lump. She documented her journey on YouTube to help others going through chemo. She retired as a dental hygienist after 16 years to continue to support the cancer community as a digital creator and certified cancer and life coach. She is excited to be on the Survivor board for Check for a Lump, the same non-profit organization that provided a wig to her mom, a three-time breast cancer survivor. Marina‘s goal is to relieve the fears around traditional medicine and integrate holistic modalities in order for survivors to find healing.

Kelsey Elmer
Member, Previvor

Kelsey Elmer is a breast cancer previvor. After undergoing several years of scans, checks, a few lump removals and a strong family history of breast cancer, Kelsey and her team decided it was best to go ahead with a preventative double mastectomy.

Kelsey works as a speech therapist in home health, to a variety of school-aged children and young adults. She has a background in speech and hearing sciences and American Sign Language. In her free time, you can find her spending time with her bonus children, husband or dogs, enjoying the outdoors or vacationing to the nearest beach.

Kelsey remains an active member in the community advocating for other people like herself and bringing all members of the breast cancer community together. She joins the survivor board to help further spread awareness and knowledge about previvorship and what that journey looks like. Kelsey looks forward to bridging the gap between caregivers, previvors, survivors and thrivers and allowing the space for all members of the breast cancer community to feel heard and understood.