A mother of two small children and a freelance designer and illustrator, Carla was diagnosed with stage-III, triple negative, inflammatory breast cancer at age 34 in 2022. She is focused on communicating the challenges of early adult cancer and the long term health consequences of both life saving and prophylactic treatments as a carrier of BRCA1, MSH-6, ATM and MUYTH genetic mutations. Located in Sudbury, she advocates for expedient and socially equitable cancer diagnoses and treatment for patients of North Eastern Ontario.

• Patient Partner Lead for Patient Engaged in Research Program

• Patient Partner Lead for Cancer Solutions

  • The Financial Burden of a Cancer Diagnosis for Patients in Northeastern Ontario (Dr. Stacey Santi, Dr. Lacey Pitre, Dr. Deborah Saunders)

• Patient and Family Advisory Council Member (2023 - present)

• 2024 Translational Research Conference

  • Master of Ceremonies / Opening Remarks

  • Planning Committee Member

Paying it forward with a patient perspective - July 2023

• Patient and Family Advisory Council Member (2022 - present)

  • Learning Management Operations Committee

  • Lab Point of Care Committee

  • Transfusion Committee

• North East Regional Cancer Plan 2025-2028

• Patient Advisor (2023 - present)

• Town Hall Presenter - September 2023

• Breast Cancer Research Priorities Focus Group