Our Team

When Kim’s 8 year-old son was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2009, it was devastating for the entire family. Kim had recently relocated to Minneapolis and was thousands of miles away from all of her extended family in Rochester, NY. While caring for her child with cancer between hospital and home, in a new city, raising a toddler, and supporting her healthcare executive husband who often traveled for work, she became more isolated and lonely as time went on. Focused on doing something to take away that feeling for others, Momcology was born.

Kim’s compassionate vision to provide platforms for parents to communicate, feel supported and exchange critical information about pediatric cancer treatment and the psychosocial challenges of childhood cancer continues to be the driving force behind each new initiative Momcology pursues. Kim believes in active collaboration between organizations, and that the education and empowerment of parents is an important step in creating a new future for children (and families) that have been diagnosed with cancer.

Kim is asked to advise, consult and contribute to many endeavors within the professional childhood cancer care community, and has helped to launch a new study in collaboration with Yale University to begin to explore the maternal health symptoms in pediatric cancer survivorship. Kim has also been asked to contribute as a parent stakeholder on the implementation of the evidence-based Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) in pediatric cancer. In 2018, Kim was elected to the Board of Directors of the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2). Most recently Kim was appointed to the Patient Advocacy Committee of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG). In honor of her commitment to families, Kim was the recipient of the first annual Community Star Award presented by Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Program in 2014, before relocating to Florida that same year. Kim holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Business Administration. She currently resides in Jacksonville with her husband, Howard, and two children, Matthew (ALL Leukemia survivor) and Erikah.

Cat’s introduction to pediatric cancer came when her son Luca was diagnosed in 2008 with a brain tumor at 15 months old. Luca’s tumor, Ependymoblastoma, is particularly rare, thus Cat found it difficult to find resources and information to help navigate her son’s diagnosis. Given the limited treatment options and lack of research into this particular type of cancer, Cat searched for options to help save her son’s life while seeking to connect with others in the oncology parent community. It was during this process that Cat developed an interest in research and a passion for connecting families, clinicians, and support resources.

As a natural extension of her experience and passion, Cat joined the Board of Directors of Momcology in 2017 and now acts as Director of Operations. With her new role, she has helped to successfully implement and facilitate new peer to peer programming across the country while identifying opportunities for strategic and collaborative growth for Momcology. Because of Cat’s experience in seeking clinical trials for her son, she has also become passionate in advocacy and patient family support and has recently accepted a role on the Children’s Oncology Group Patient Advocacy Committee for CNS. Cat feels strongly about mobilizing the Momcology network with a goal to connect families with opportunities that can lead to better health outcomes and advancement in care for children with cancer. Cat is originally from Monroe, MI, and has a BA in Arts Management from Adrian College. She currently lives outside Philadelphia, PA with her three children, Nino (17), Luca (12) and Bella (10).

Like many of us, Miriam felt alone and scared when her middle daughter was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2014. Despite the support of friends and family, she desperately needed a community of parents who understood the unique challenges, fears (and sometimes even joys) that went along with helping your child fight cancer. Miriam connected with other parents by becoming an active member of Momcology’s online supportive community, and was lucky enough to attend one of Momcology’s restorative retreats. Since that time, Miriam has taken on a leadership role by assisting with Momcology retreats and by helping create and run Momcology’s first hospital based in-person support group at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Miriam has a BA in American Culture, and a doctorate (Psy.D.) in psychology. She currently works full time as a neuropsychologist in South Jersey. Miriam lives with her husband, Paul, and her three daughters: Rebecca, Eliana (off treatment from ALL), and Lilah.

Mindy is a true champion of childhood cancer research. She understands the importance of supporting medical research to ensure kids diagnosed with cancer have the chance for a long healthy life. Mindy’s passion is a result of her son Connor’s very brave encounter with brain cancer.

Mindy is also the Community Outreach Coordinator for Children’s Cancer Research Fund. In her role she connects with other families going through what is so familiar to her-navigating the world of childhood cancer. She has witnessed and experienced more hope, compassion and perseverance than many. Her personal experience has also motivated her desire to help other parents and caregivers find the support they need and she is honored to do so.

Justine Zirbes is a founding member and board member of Momcology. Her son, Axel, was diagnosed with leukemia (ALL) at age 3 in 2010. She recognized the need for peer support on Axel’s first day in the hospital. When she inquired about meeting other mothers traveling the childhood cancer journey, she was told just to “meet them in the waiting room.” Those first few months were a blur of fear, and anxiety, with only a few people to lean on who really understood the pain of treating your child with chemotherapy. Eventually, she met another mom who felt the same way she did, and their bond sparked the movement to connect families with the purpose of creating a community of families who value the opportunity to learn and heal through peer support. Momcology was born from this friendship and effort. Justine currently participates in board decisions, welcomes new Momcology members, and has a supporting role in Midwest Momcology Retreats.

Justine has a B.A. in Mass Communication from the College of St. Benedict, and works full time as a television producer in the Minneapolis market at NBC affiliate station KARE11, bringing childhood cancer awareness to her audience at every opportunity. Justine has served on several Children’s Hospital of Minnesota event committees including co-chairing their signature event for pediatric oncology, Shine Bright Bash. She resides in Minneapolis with her husband, Brian, and her children, Carter, Axel (remission from ALL), and twins, Ruby and Hazel.