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Vote for New Directors
We need YOUR VOTE to elect new board members
This is not just a rubber stamp, we need to hear YOUR VOICE
to know that you are happy with the new directors. We think they are
all pretty special! And don't forget that every year we are looking
for new talent to add to the team, so be thinking about who you might
want to nominate next year.
Vote for five people. If you prefer, you may enter a write-in candidate on your ballot instead of one of these.
Meet the New Directors!
 ❏ Michelle Cieslak, California
Michelle Cieslak first became aware of Von Hippel-Lindau in 2004, when
her 12-year old son reported a problem with his eyesight. After successful
retinal angioma surgery, he was screened and subsequently diagnosed with
VHL. With no family history of VHL, and knowing nothing of the disease,
she became acutely interested in learning more, as much as she could
about VHL and spontaneous mutations in particular. Michelle is tenacious
and proactive and has always looked to the VHL Family Alliance as an
incredible resource.
Michelle is an accountant with over 25 years of work experience in
various industries. She and her husband enjoy listening to their son (now
17) play music and watching their daughter (14) play soccer. Over the years
Michelle has enjoyed working with her local kid’s schools and within her
church to organize and lead different group activities as well as assist in
fi nancial matters. Michelle is looking forward to working alongside others
within the Alliance to help fi nd a permanent cure for VHL. |
 ❏ Altheada Laverne Johnson, New York
Altheada Johnson is a retired Registered Dietitian. She has previously
served twelve years on the VHLFA Board of Directors. She is the Chairman
of the Hotline Committee, overseeing the volunteers who respond to
Hotline calls. She has represented VHLFA as a speaker at a number of
meetings, including the fi rst meeting of VHLFA South Africa in March 2008.
She focuses in particular on Outreach to the medically underserved.
She is a tireless letter writer, and has appeared on agendas at meetings on
Minorities and Cancer (D.C.); Women and Genetics (Illinois), Monirities
and Cancer (Alabama). Altheada is our in-house consultant on nutrition,
and heads an informal alternative medicine interest group. She is in touch
with doctors and researchers on the topics of pain management and preimplantation
testing. |
 ❏ Camron King, California, candidate for re-election
Camron King is Program Director for the California Association
of Winegrape Growers, a non-profi t trade association. He tracks state
legislative and regulatory actions related to environmental and natural
resource issues.
His experiences include staffi ng non-profi t boards and committees,
fundraising for non-profi t organizations and management and oversight
of paid and volunteers staffs. He serves on a number of community boards
and committees. He has a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration. He
has served on the VHLFA Board for three years, and is currently Chairman
of the Board of the VHL Family Alliance.
Diagnosed with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) in 1996, he has endured
a number of surgeries to remove tumors from his eyes, both adrenal
glands, kidney, liver and spinal cord. This experience has moved him to
become more involved in advocating for greater cancer research funding,
accessibility and a desire to educate the community about VHL. Camron
and his wife Alicia have two children, Brayden and Addison.
Vol 17, No. 2, May 2009 VHL Family Forum
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 ❏ Robert T. Kramer, D.M.D., Pennsylvania and Arizona
Robert Kramer is a dentist and dental educator. His dental practice was
voted “Simply the best dental practice” in 2003.
"I currently coach boys travel soccer, and enjoy biking, fishing
and hiking. I completed the Steamtown Marathon in 2000 and enjoy
competitive sports. My wife and I have restored our current residence,
Springfi eld Farm, to its original 18th century splendor over the past 15
years. This has spurred my interest in both historic preservation and early
American antiques with an emphasis on Pennsylvania German folk items.
Our family enjoys a very active lifestyle. My wife is a triathlete,
competitive marathon runner and avid horse person. She has completed
an ultra marathon (50 miles) and currently holds the state record for it in
her age group. She operates a personal training busines. Gunnar, our 8
year old son, plays tennis, soccer and currently holds his high red belt in
Hapkido.
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 ❏ Thomas D. Rodenberg, Esq., Missouri
Thomas D. Rodenberg is an attorney who currently serves as General
Counsel and Director of Legal Services for the Blue Springs R-IV School
District. The District consists of 14,000 students and 3,000 full and part
time staff.
Tom previously served on the VHL Family Alliance Board of
Directors for nine years, two of those years serving as Chairman of the
Board. Tom has a particular expertise in insurance issues as they relate
to VHL and genetic conditions and has made numerous presentations on
this subject. Tom and his wife, Katherine, have four boys ages 20, 18, 16,
and 15. They live in Blue Springs, Missouri. |
As printed in the VHL Family Forum 17:2, May 2009. For permission to reprint, please contact VHL Family Alliance, editor@vhl.org. Further information is available from the VHL Family Alliance, info@vhl.org.
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