About Cancer Support Sonoma

Patient Navigator
Sharon has joined Cancer Support Sonoma after 15 years of working in the nonprofit sector in Santa Cruz County. Her passion for supporting nonprofits began when she was a program coordinator for Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition, followed by an administrative role with Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support.

She returned to her hometown of Sonoma in 2019 after six years serving as administrative director for Pajaro Valley Arts.  Having worked with organizations that serve children with cancer and their families, she knows how important supportive services can be in the lives of cancer patients, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

“When my mother was in treatment for breast cancer in the 1960s, integrative medicine in oncology didn’t exist. The fact that she would have benefited from today’s complementary therapies inspires me to help those in our community facing cancer to feel cared for. I relish the opportunity to team up in the healing support offered at CSS.”

Lead Volunteer
Susan received a master’s degree from Stanford University and worked for 15 years as a head teacher at Bing Nursery School, a laboratory/research facility on campus. 

After several years as a stay-at-home mom, she became a health educator for Planned Parenthood in the South Bay. There she was involved in the Prenatal Program before becoming the Breast Health Coordinator.  Her work at Planned Parenthood was a passionate cause for her. 

In retirement she was a volunteer at Bay Area Cancer Connections in Palo Alto, a non-profit organization that offers programs and services to people touched by breast and ovarian cancer. In 2015 Susan and her husband, Scott, moved to Sonoma — a dream come true for them. Becoming a volunteer with CSS was a natural fit.

Her work with Cancer Support Sonoma has helped Susan feel at home in the community. “It means more to me than a wonderful place to do some good work,” she says “I’ve made warm friendships with the clients and providers. I go home at the end of every Friday feeling so pumped up!