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Breast Cancer Awareness

Patricia Smith

President

Patricia retired as an Inpatient Oncology RN in 2018. She received her BSN from Mount Saint Mary’s University, and her BA in Sociology from UCLA.

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Patricia is passionate about increasing awareness that breast cancer is very treatable when caught early. She has special interests in the Mobile Mammography program, and grant writing. Patricia’s hobbies are reading, walking and hiking, cooking and baking, painting and crafting, and traveling.

Breast Cancer Awareness

Denise Highfill

Vice President

Denise Highfill has been in healthcare for 40+ years, and is currently the COO, HR/Compliance Officer/Behavioral Health Manager for Shingletown Medical Center.

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Denise has worked in both clinical and administrative positions in hospital and outpatient care. She went to work for a FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center) in 2006 and providing healthcare for the underserved became her passion. Providing education and prevention for the underserved can at times be a challenge.

Denise has been involved with Nor-Cal Think Pink from its inception in some shape or form. She has a number of family and friends who have succumbed to cancer. One of her closest friends lost the battle with breast cancer a few years ago so she does this for her. Denise has been a Team Captain for Relay for Life both in Shasta County and Sacramento. Volunteering is part of her DNA.

Her hobbies include; outdoor activities, the 49ers, Giants and Sac River Cats, traveling in their trailer and reading when there is a quiet moment. She has been married to her husband Gary for 50+ years, has a son and a daughter and three adorable grandchildren.

Breast Cancer Awareness

Kathy Hammond

Secretary

Kathleen (Kathy) is a retired Registered Nurse who worked in the Mercy Medical Center ICU for 40 years.

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Kathy has been married to her husband Robert (Bob) for over 40 years, and they have two children. In 2010, Kathy was diagnosed with HER 2 positive breast cancer. After a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and a targeted drug called Herceptin (which you take for a year in an IV), Kathy just wanted to have her life go back to normal. During the next year she had several friends and relatives tell her that they thought if you got breast cancer you always died. Kathy wanted to help women and their families know that early detection saves lives. By volunteering for Think Pink Kathy helps educate women and their families so they won’t be afraid.

Breast Cancer Awareness

Heather Kelnhofer

Treasurer

Heather Kelnhofer has lived in Redding most of her life and enjoys working in the field of grant management and community development.

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Heather and her husband own an IT consulting company and Heather is also the Executive Director for Girls Inc. NSV, a local non-profit that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Heather earned her B.A. of Business & Human Resource Management from Simpson University and her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from CSU Dominguez Hills. In 2022, Heather was diagnosed with DCIS breast cancer. Throughout the process of undergoing a double mastectomy, Heather wrote a blog about her experience in hopes that it can share awareness about the importance of early detection, but also help create an open forum to share what the process is like on a personal level. In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and their two sons camping, kayaking and playing around at their little ranch, Broken Arrow Ranch.

Breast Cancer Awareness

Lori Meadows

Think Pink Coordinator

Lori is a Redding native who graduated from Humboldt State University with degrees in Psychology and Child Development. She worked as a crime victim advocate with the District Attorney’s Office for years, until becoming a mom to three boys. Since then, she has volunteered countless hours with her children’s school; and sits on the board for the school’s Education Foundation, which fundraises for educational opportunities for students and access to technology. Lori and her family love to travel, and enjoy all the outdoor activities the North State offers.

Board of Directors Advisory Council

Breast Cancer Awareness

Pam Valentine

MSN, FNP-BC, Health Education Advisor

Pamala Valentine has been in the medical field since 1985, with 21 of those years as a nurse practitioner. Her passion is Oncology. She spent 13 years focused on that discipline, with much of the time being a FNP. Currently, Valentine works in the field of Palliative Care at Medical Home Care Professionals and a few days a month at Prestige Urgent Care.

Pamala believes it is a privilege to live and work in the North State. She leads an active outdoor lifestyle and is involved in her community.

Her passion to be part of Nor Cal Think Pink started in 2000 as a Board Member. Pamala served as the Secretary for several years, and as President of the Board in 2012.

Valentine also serves on the Board of Prescription Pets where people take their pets to visit patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living centers. They also go to the libraries and help children with their reading. She and her dog, Britton, have been part of this organization for ten years.

Breast Cancer Awareness

Erika Wiechman

Erika Wiechman has been volunteering for Nor-Cal Think Pink since she started helping to stuff bags as a young child.

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In 2008 she became coordinator and helped with the daily office duties of the organization. In 2013, she joined the Board of Directors where she served for two terms, including President for two years. In 2019, she became part of the Advisory Council.

Erika was born and raised in Redding and is enjoying raising her growing family in the Redding area where they spend time at the lakes, hiking, camping and fishing.

Breast Cancer has personally touched Erika’s life: her Mother-In-Law, Grandmother, and Great Aunt are all breast cancer survivors!

  • Sharon Pereira, MD
  • Ewa Bauer, MD