The NCSD Speakers Bureau Roster Can Help You Find the Right Keynote Speaker for Your National Cancer Survivors Day® Celebration
National Cancer Survivors Day® is Sunday, June 4!
Are you looking for a great keynote speaker to educate, motivate, or entertain the cancer survivors attending your celebration? Then, look no further. The NCSD Speakers Bureau Roster has contact information for nearly 250 motivational and keynote speakers, celebrities, and medical professionals who are available for NCSD events.
Register your event to unlock exclusive access to the NCSD Speakers Bureau Roster, as well as other exclusive resources and materials. There is no cost or obligation when you register your event with the Foundation.
Finding the Right Speaker for Your Event
Selecting the right person takes careful consideration. You want someone who fits with the tone of your event. Do you want someone funny? Or is your event educational? Would you prefer a national celebrity or someone local? You should also keep your budget in mind when booking a speaker.
Treat each potential speaker as you would a job candidate: check out their resumes and reviews, call references, and set up an interview if possible. You want to make sure that the person you choose is the best candidate for the job.
Speaker Spotlight
We’ve highlighted speakers below out of the nearly 250 that are included in our Roster.
Marcia Anne Cross is an Emmy-nominated American actress, advocate, cancer thriver, and HPV Cancers Alliance co-Founder.
Marcia began her career on daytime soap operas such as The Edge of Night, Another World, and One Life to Live before moving to primetime television with a recurring role on Knots Landing. From 1992 to 1997, she starred as Dr. Kimberly Shaw on Melrose Place. Cross played the role of the conservative housewife Bree Van de Kamp on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives (2004–12), for which she was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy, and a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She also recurred as President Claire Haas on the ABC series Quantico. Marcia continues to split her time between raising a family, acting, and HPV cancer patient advocacy. You can reach out to HPV Alliance about Marcia.
Lillian Kreppel is a cancer thriver, public speaker, entrepreneur, and changemaker. When she was blindsided with an HPV anal cancer diagnosis in 2017, she experienced and saw big educational gaps within the medical community and was determined to change the status quo. She volunteered for The Anal Cancer Foundation, having fun events with butt-shaped cakes and toilet paper centerpieces to reduce HPV-associated stigmas.
In 2019, she created the HPV Alliance Organization, along with actress and fellow advocate Marcia Cross. Lillian is a passionate and fierce advocate for the prevention and treatment of all HPV-related cancers. She is on a mission to change the negative stigma and shame around whispering the words “HPV” and the six cancers it causes, and wants to save lives because no one should die from HPV when it’s preventable! You can learn more about Lillian here.
Meet Alex Echols, a true inspiration and thought leader. As a late-stage lymphoma survivor, he’s not only overcome great odds but also has achieved success as an author and captivating corporate facilitator. His desire to make a difference doesn’t stop there.
He is a passionate advocate for cancer prevention and survivorship, advising healthtech companies and lobbying on Capitol Hill for greater support, care, and funding for those impacted by cancer. He was part of the legislative ambassador team that helped pass the Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act of 2019. Alex’s story is one of determination, hope, and the power of the human spirit. You can learn more about Alex on his Instagram.
Shortly after anchoring a television show about breast cancer, Emmy Award winner and TEDx speaker Sharon began her cancer journey. She knew she’d come out on the other side because whatever treatments her team recommended, they would never be as challenging as her daughter being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia 11 years earlier.
Using a blend of humor, inspiration, and practical lessons, Sharon chronicles her family’s story that moves people’s hearts and minds. Everyone has the opportunity to turn their battle scars into badges of honor – the basis of the book she coauthored, Keep Going: Memoirs of Strength, Courage, & Perseverance. You can learn more about Sharon at SharonDelaney.tv.
At 30 years old, Steve was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. After conventional treatments of surgery and chemo, doctors ran out of answers and he was losing his battle. With a survival rate of less than 10%, he had to reach deep down within himself and figure out how to survive a seemingly impossible situation. He began asking questions such as, How do you fight to overcome when the deck feels stacked against you? and How do you become the type of role model you couldn’t find when you needed them most?
These questions and more are what kept him sharing his experiences and takeaways to help other cancer fighters in need along their journey. His blog, othercword.com, was named one of the “Best Cancer Blogs of 2020” by Healthline. You can learn more about Steve at OtherCWord.com.
Dr. Sheri is a board-certified physician, public health expert, author, and breast cancer survivor. Her experience with cancer has impassioned her with an empathic fervor that embodies everything she does.
She offers a unique perspective from being a physician, caregiver, cancer patient, and now overcomer and survivor. Practical truths are woven into every keynote, merging science and sacred, mixing faith with facts. Dr. Sheri’s delivery and drive are at the forefront of every small group, congregation, or conference. Let her unique voice and gift demonstrate how to transcend tragedy, re-direct or re-invent, and tap into unrecognized potential. You can learn more about Dr. Sheri at DrSheriMD.com.
Damian Buchman is truly a one-in-a-billion survivor who has turned obstacles into opportunity and made the seemingly impossible, possible.
As a two-time survivor of bilateral osteosarcoma, Damian has endured dozens of surgeries. But, that never stopped him. Working tirelessly to provide others who face seemingly insurmountable barriers with motivation, tools, and a voice, he is an unstoppABLE force who doesn’t know how to quit. A self-proclaimed bionic unicorn, Damian has spoken on “thrivership” and the “new normal” with campers, patients, medical providers, grand rounds, and more. You can learn more about Damian at DamianBuchman.com.
Sarah Thomas is an ultra-marathon swimmer holding the world record for the longest continuous, unassisted, non-wetsuit swim done in current-neutral conditions, which was 104.6 miles over 67 hours. Shortly after this, she was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer at 35 years old.
One year after completing her treatment, Sarah became the first person to complete a four-way crossing of the English Channel in 54 hours and 10 minutes. In 2022, she became the first person to complete a two-way crossing of the North Channel, from Scotland to Ireland and back in 21 hours and 46 minutes. She shares her story of success and resilience through the lens of her 3Gs: Goals, Grit, and Grace. You can learn more about Sarah at SarahThomasSwims.com.
Rebecca King Crews is an actress, singer-songwriter, producer, and television personality, as well as an author and wife of actor Terry Crews. They starred in their own reality series The Family Crews and co-authored an Audible original memoir entitled Stronger Together.
Rebecca underwent a double mastectomy after she was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer in 2020. She is the owner of the independent music label Honeybear Publishing and has released several singles as well as an EP. She is also the founder and CEO of Rebecca Crews LLC, a luxury clothing and cosmetics company. Rebecca resides in Los Angeles with her husband of 33 years, their five children, one grandchild, and two dogs. You can learn more about Rebecca on her Instagram.
Erin Brazill is a licensed social worker, board-certified art therapist, artist, and speaker. Erin’s private psychotherapy practice helps people and families coping with cancer to build a life and thrive beyond cancer.
Diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma at age 20, Erin is dedicated and passionate about helping people traverse the cancer continuum and navigate their unique journeys.
Erin is a dynamic and creative speaker who weaves bits and pieces of her personal and professional cancer journeys with inspiration, resiliency, and hope. You can learn more about Erin at RiverBirchTherapyNY.com.
Eric Dunlap is a motivational speaker and life coach. His goal every time he speaks is to encourage, empower, and inspire. He engages the audience in a personal dialogue, which establishes his resonating message. Invitations to speak by corporations, universities, and organizations enable Eric to share his message of hope and success.
A cancer survivor for 20 years, he has been featured on news programs, radio interviews, and several cable programs. Eric is a notable keynote speaker who involves the audience in conversational yet thought-provoking discussions. Eric promotes mental, spiritual, and physical wellness. You can learn more about Eric at DunlapSpeaks.com.
Shayla Benoit is a two-time cancer survivor having been diagnosed at 34 years old with stage IV primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, and at 36 with papillary thyroid cancer.
Shayla is a filmmaker, actor, and healthcare advocate who believes that transparency and vulnerability are our greatest tools to help others thrive and heal. Shayla has been featured on the cover of Coping with Cancer magazine and hopes that sharing her story will encourage and support people to make the most of each day, no matter what that looks like. You can learn more about Shayla at ShaylaBenoit.com.
