Meetings
- 10/31/2009
Gainesville, FL 9:00AM ~ 1:00PM
News
Meet the Board of Directors:
Peggy Marshall President
Peggy is a vHL patient. She was diagnosed years ago when an ophthalmologist recognized two eye tumors typical of vHL. Unfortunately little information was presented about the genetics of or the progression of vHL. While following the medical paths of her three other affected siblings she was able to piece together this disease.
Peggy has worked the past 25 years as a private day-care provider. Now legally blind she spends her time caring for her husband and sharing her experiences and knowledge about vHL. She has been directly involved with telephone support for 10 years while traveling the world to speak at vHL conferences. She has ten years experience working on an all volunteer non-profit board supporting vHL patients. Her passion is providing help to other vHL patients, family members and medical professionals.
Now the mother and grandmother of vHL children, she dedicates her efforts to making life as good as possible.
Jay Platt Vice-President
Jay “Patch” Platt, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, was diagnosed with vHL in 1986. 1n 1999, as a fundraiser for vHL research, he thru-hiked the entire 2,160 mile Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia and became one of fewer than 400 people to have ever done so in the process. Now, as a professional speaker, author, and coach in the areas of human motivation and potential, he delivers his uplifting presentations to various businesses, associations, and educational institutions, throughout the world.
He has served on the Board of Directors of two vHL organizations and is involved with several Cancer and Kidney support groups. Jay and his wife, Paz, live in eastern North Carolina with their two dogs, Jake and Sadie.
Don Marshall Vice-President
Don is the husband of Peggy Marshall and has accompanied her on the journey with vHL for the past 42 1/2 years. Don is a retired Electronics Test Equipment Regional Service Manager and Vocational Electronics Instructor (25 years). He has 6 years experience as a Board Member on an all volunteer non-profit board supporting vHL patients.
Don has Congestive Heart Failure, Diabetes, Peripheral Neuropathy, and Gout and is a five year survivor of thyroid cancer. Someone once said that, “Don is Peggy’s eyes and she is his legs.” Together their passion is to support vHL people and make their journey with vHL as smooth as possible.
Andy Braden Treasurer
Andy lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wife, Kathy, and two children and works full time. He has a Bachelors degree in EET and a Masters in Management Science. Andy was diagnosed with vHL in 1995. Although they did not know it at the time, his mother had vHL and passed away when Andy was two. Andy’s older sister also has vHL. Andy has served in other non-profit organizations as a volunteer and looks forward to helping vHL Connections achieve their goals. Andy has been invited on several occasions to speak to second year medical students to put a face with a genetic condition.
Kathy Braden Secratery
Kathy is married to Andy and is currently working part time as a consultant. She has a Bachelors degree in business and has worked in the healthcare industry for over 20 years. Kathy has volunteered for many committees in the schools and community. She has also served on two different volunteer boards for non-profit organizations.