Dear Partners and Friends,
The year so far has been full of connection, collaboration, and progress—and I’m excited to share some recent highlights from our work. The stories below reflect our commitment to connecting with the wonderful leaders and partners who are helping to advance our mission. We learn so much from them, and we are proud to amplify their work. In May, we convened the second annual Together for Supportive Cancer Care Summit in Washington, D.C., and I also attended the Business Group on Health’s Annual Conference, connecting with leaders improving care nationwide.
Our team has been active on many fronts. Susan Hedlund, our Director of Supportive Care Initiatives, was honored by the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) Conference for her decade of service on the Commission on Cancer and leadership in the field.
Geri Auriemma, our Program Officer for Social Impact Theatre, attended the National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s (NAMT) concert celebrating winners of the 2024–25 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students—a glimpse into theatre’s future through fresh voices and bold ideas.
We’re also working to advance the conversation about access to supportive cancer care. Sheri Biller wrote an op-ed in Modern Healthcare calling for supportive care to become a national standard. Sheri and Kamera Museau, our Supportive Care Project Manager, also co-wrote an article in Essence highlighting the importance of addressing mental health and cancer care for communities of color, amplifying National Minority Mental Health Month.
As you’ll see in the stories, links, and photos below, our work is rooted in the belief that lasting change happens when we listen deeply, engage fully, and stand alongside those leading change in their communities.
Speaking of stories and news, we invite you to explore our new website and stay connected. Thank you for being part of this journey—your partnership makes it possible.
With gratitude,
Audrey Haberman
CEO, The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation
Sheri and Les Visit the Dempsey Center
Sheri and Les Biller recently visited the Dempsey Center’s new location in Westbrook, Maine, alongside United States Senator Angus King and his family. The visit affirmed the importance of no-cost, high-quality supportive cancer care for patients, caregivers, and families navigating a cancer diagnosis.
As a proud member of our Together for Supportive Cancer Care Coalition, the Dempsey Center embodies what accessible, community-based care can look like—offering counseling, nutrition, integrative therapies, and more, all free of charge.
Social Impact Theatre: Highlights from the 2024 Grant Cycle
Before the Foundation announces the 2025 Social Impact Theatre Grant Awards this fall, we want to congratulate our 2024 Grant Awardees who, throughout their 2024/2025 seasons, put stories on the stage that matter, built engagement strategies to further educate and inspire their audiences, and partnered with organizations in their communities to help deepen the impact and authenticity of those strategies. Read the full blog post celebrating highlights from the 2024 grant cycle here.
Photo Credit: Nygel D. Robinson and Brian Quijada in Mexodus; photo by Ben Krantz Studio, courtesy of Berkeley Rep
Turning Determination into a Career: Eric Ward, BankWork$ Graduate
Eric Ward’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people are given the opportunity to succeed. After completing Goodwill of Colorado’s BankWork$ program, Eric launched a career in banking—and was recently honored as the 2025 Triumph Award recipient at Goodwill’s Annual Dinner.
At The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation, we’re proud to support CareerWork$ and its network of partners like Goodwill, who open doors to meaningful employment through programs like BankWork$.
Watch Eric’s story to see how access, support, and determination come together to transform lives.
Our Foundation Team on the Road
This summer, members of our team have been out in the community, connecting with partners and leaders who inspire us and fuel our mission to expand supportive cancer care and the power of live theatre.
Geri Auriemma, our Program Officer – Social Impact Theatre, recently attended the final performance of Co-Founders, a new rock musical by American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, one of our Social Impact Theatre grantees. Geri was thrilled to witness “social impact theatre in action!”
Susan Hedlund, our Director of Supportive Care Initiatives, has been actively engaging with national leaders in the field. This June, at the AOSW Conference in Atlanta, she connected with one of our Advisory Board members, Eucharia Borden, Vice President of Programs and Health Equity at Family Reach. She also joined a national summit of Palliative Care Social Work leaders in Boston.
These moments remind us why collaboration matters—and how much we can achieve when we work together with our partners.