Wesley Scott Graves
Chairperson

Scott was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina.  He graduated from Furman University in 1996 where he studied Business Administration.  Scott is currently the Director of Analysis and Medicaid Operations for BlueChoice HealthPlan, where he has worked for the last 10 years.

Scott is married to Lexanne Graves, who currently works part-time as the Director of Christian Education at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  She devotes the remainder of her time to raising their daughter, Anna Leigh Graves.

When asked why he wanted to become involved with Children's Chance, Scott stated, "I am excited for this opportunity to devote my time and efforts to helping families cope with the challenges associated with pediatric cancer. As a father, I am committed to this organization and its mission."

Scott Graves

Susan Barber
Vice Chair

 Susan has extensive volunteer experience including being involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for 8 years, past president of the Animal Protection League, volunteered for the American Diabetes Association, past Board member of the SC Chapter of the American Diabetes Association, volunteered for the Special Olympics, and Glenforest School.

Susan was one of the original board members of Children’s Chance and knows firsthand the impact that pediatric cancer has on families. Susan’s daughter Erin endured cancer not once, but twice, the second time losing her battle. Susan explains, “I want to help parents in any way I can. Although cancer treatment is devastating to the child, it is to the family as well. I have a passion for this and a firm belief in the purpose of this organization.”

Susan Barber with Mr. Kenneth Shuler at the Cuts for Cancer 2008 check presentation

Judith Barnes
Secretary

As of May 2007, Judy Barnes retired after 33 years of teaching and counseling children in Richland One. She is the mother of two adult children and the grandmother of four grandchildren.

Judy is also the wife of a cancer survivor. Her husband, Tom, was diagnosed with Stage 1 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the stomach lining in February 2006. After undergoing chemo and radiation, he is now in remission. The battle he fought was very long and difficult. The awareness of the physical and emotional journey that families with cancer face every day became very real.

During her school career, Judy helped parents deal with many aspects of emotional trauma with their children including divorce, abuse, death, family members dealing with cancer, and siblings with life-threatening illnesses were only some of the challenges in her work. As a counselor, she had heard of Children's Chance and knew about some of the things they supported.

"After dealing with cancer personally, I realized what a difference children would have through an organization such as Children's Chance working for them" Judy explains. "I hope by being a board member and volunteering my time, I can help families in crisis know that they are not alone. We cannot answer the why's but we can help move storm clouds away and provide some sunshine and silver linings to cloudy situations."

Linda Schermerhorn
Treasurer

Chair of the Finance Committee

Linda Schermerhorn is currently employed as a Financial Consultant. She has not only been a volunteer for Children’s Chance since 1997, but her family has received Children’s Chance services as well.

Linda is the mother of Brock Schermerhorn, a childhood cancer survivor. Linda knows the importance of the programs and services which Children’s Chance provides first hand, and explains, “I know first hand how important Children’s Chance is to families that are going through chemo. I have been involved in the family weekends being newly diagnosed and speaking to families later on as a parent of a survivor. Our family really believes in Children’s Chance”.

To contact Linda, please email to: cali2sc@aol.com

Linda Schermerhorn pictured with her husband, Don, and their son, Brock, at the 2007 BBQ event.  Brock won 1st place for his original BBQ sauce.

John Moore
Chair of the Resource/PR Committee

John Moore is not only the President and Chief Executive Officer of JMI Inc. Management and Training Consulting Firm, but he serves as a Realtor for ERA Wilder.

John is an active community member and involved with multiple service groups and organizations including the St. Andrews Kiwanis Club, where he also serves as the Lieutenant  Governor of the Carolinas District. John also serves as the Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee of Special Olympics of South Carolina.

John is an involved Board Member with Children's Chance and is very appreciated for his community contacts and willingness to help Children's Chance continue to grow.

John Moore,

Chair of the Resource/PR Committee

Jacqueline Shuler

Jacqueline Shuler is employed with the South Carolina Department of Social Services where she manages statewide human services programs that serve children with complex medical conditions and children with mental health needs.  She is a Certified Public Manager who has 4 years of experience in private child welfare services and more than 17 years of experience in public child welfare services.  Her special achievement was administering a multi-county region for adoption and birth parent services.  She remains passionately dedicated to improving care for children in the public child welfare system who are awaiting an adoptive family.  Because of that dedication, she maintains her Certified Investigator credential for conducting home studies. 

She strongly supports and participates in several organizations that serve the good of the community.  Jacqueline is a member of the Planning Advisory Board and is the lead group facilitator for Sarcoidosis of South Carolina; she has volunteered with Brett's Rainbow Camp - a camp for children experiencing bereavement; and she chairs the Human Services Board for Hearts Around the World, Inc. - a social assistance organization.  In addition to her work with children and families, Jacqueline has found the time to serve as a Guest Services Specialist in a large area hospital system.  In that capacity, she helps to institutionalize the practice and application of service delivery within the cultural context of the customer. 

Jacqueline’s formal education has enhanced her desire to be a community and public servant.  She has earned undergraduate degrees in Criminal Justice and Social Work as well as a graduate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. 

Jacqueline has a varied background in social services and child welfare services.  This, coupled with her other volunteer experiences, will enhance the work of Children’s Chance and of the Board.

Jacqueline Shuler

Bill Tindall

Bill Tindall is the owner of a local Allstate Insurance Company located on Garners Ferry Road.  Bill serves on the Finance Committee of the organization. Bill is an active board member and very involved in the organization.

When asked why he decided to get involved with Children’s Chance, Bill states, “To support children and their families that have cancer and let more people in the community know about Children’s Chance.”

Bill Tindall, owner of Bill Tindall's Allstate

Angela Darby
 

Angela Darby is currently employed as a Nurse Practitioner with Consultants in Gastroenterology. She has been an RN for 23 years and a NP for 9 years. Angela’s family has also received Children’s Chance services and she knows firsthand what families who have a child with cancer experience.

Angela is the mother to Kristen Darby, a childhood cancer survivor. In 2004 Kristen was diagnosed with AML and relapsed in 2005 to then receive a bone marrow transplant in 2006 which saved her life.

Angela explains, “As a parent of a child with cancer, my family has personally benefited from the various programs offered by Children’s Chance. It is personally rewarding and empowering to be able to help others experiencing similar challenges and hardships.”

Tammy Hicks

Tammy Hicks is currently employed as a Manager at Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company. She currently manages the unit responsible for cancer claims. Tammy has worked with the company for 20 years and has spent the past 15 years working with cancer insured’s. Her volunteer experience began with being a platelet donor and Children's Chance through Colonial. She also volunteers with the Humane Society.  

Tammy decided to become a board member with Children's Chance to learn more about the firsthand the impact that pediatric cancer has on families. Tammy's mother was a victim of a brain tumor and she saw first hand the financial burden cancer has on a family.  Tammy explains, “There are many reasons I want to help and be more active in Children's Chance. The claims on children with cancer are always the hardest for me to process and/or review. And I think of the parents who have to struggle to make ends meet while trying to save their child. Another big reason I decided to become a board member is Susan Barber. She is an inspiration to me. One who opened a lot of eyes about childhood diseases. ”

Tammy Hicks with

Children's Chance mascot,

 Zig the Pig

Lester Park

Lester Park is the Aflac Regional Sales Coordinator for Richland County and several surrounding counties.  He has been with Aflac for over 15 years.  Lester has been in South Carolina since 2003 but is originally from Illinois where he was born and raised on a farm.  Before moving to South Carolina, Lester lived for two years in Atlanta, Georgia.  Although Lester has only been in the South for nine years he has a sign in his office that reads, “I wasn’t born in the South but I got here as quickly as I could.” 

Being relatively new to Columbia Lester has chosen to become involved with Children’s Chance as one of his first community commitments.  Between Lester and his wife Pat they have been blessed with six healthy children and five healthy grand-children.  

When asked why he wanted to become involved with Children’s Chance Lester shared these comments, “I feel that having received such a blessing as healthy children is a gift from God and that I should do my part to help those families that have to deal with the challenges and heartaches of having a child with some type of dread disease.  In the many years of processing Cancer claims through Aflac I have seen the emotional, physical and financial devastation that Cancer can bring to a family and I just want to do my part to help.”

Lester Park

Lindsey Dupree

Lindsey Dupree was born and raised in Summerville, SC.  She attended the University of South Carolina and graduated in 2005 with her bachelors degree in Accounting. Lindsey is a Staffing Manager for Accountemps, a division of Robert Half International.  After being elected as the Philanthropy and Service Chair for her office in Columbia, Lindsey and her co-workers began working with The Ronald McDonald House.  Through a current board member, she was introduced to Children's Chance and the families she could help through this organization.  Since hearing about this organization, Lindsey has been very passionate about the mission of Children's Chance. She is looking forward to serving on the Resource/PR Committee to expand Children's Chance outreach.

When asked why she wanted to become a Board Member for Children's Chance, Lindsey responded "I can't think of a better cause to be a part of.  To be able to really make a difference in the lives of individuals affected by pediatric cancer is an opportunity to help a family through one of the most difficult times it will face. I want to be a part of the organization that allows them to have some peace and hope during such an unimaginable time."

Lindsey Dupree

Rick Bell

Rick Bell was born in rural South Carolina in Loris.  He is a graduate of Southern Wesleyan University with a degree in Business Administration.  Currently Rick is employed by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina as an Infrastructure Solutions Design Expert where he has served a total of five years.  He is also a veteran of the US Armed Forces (Army).

Rick has two daughters.  His oldest daughter, Kaitlyn resides with her mother in Conway, SC.  Rick’s youngest daughter is Madelyn.  Rick and his wife Sheila and their daughter Madelyn reside in Elgin, SC.  Madelyn was diagnosed in December 2006 at three months of age with Neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer found primarily in children.  Rick and his family know from experience the devastating effects of receiving the dreadful news that your life and that of your children is forever changed.  Determined not to give up, their family came together to ensure that Madelyn received the best treatment possible in order to fight this disease.  Along the way, Rick crossed paths with the Children’s Chance organization and vowed that upon clearing the obstacles that Madelyn’s cancer diagnosis presented, he would devote his time and efforts to helping other families like his own to deal with the effects of cancer.

Today Madelyn is a happy, healthy child that brings great joy to everyone she meets.  She is a hope to all families facing the difficult days ahead. Rick’s hope is that through his efforts with Children’s Chance and continuing to share Madelyn’s story with others he can make a difference to those who need it most.

Rick Bell

Madelyn during treatment with her mother, Sheila

To read more about Madelyn, please visit her blog at http://madelynbell.blogspot.com.

Annie Tapp

Annie Tapp works for The National Bank of South Carolina (NBSC).  She joined NBSC as a Management Associate in June 2007.

She attended the University of South Carolina, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing.

Annie is currently serves as the Branch Manager of the Gamecock office.

Active in the community, Tapp serves as the Vice President of Billing for the Kappa Delta Housing Corporation and is a provisional member of the Junior League of Columbia. 

Annie serves on the Children's Chance Finance  Committee.

Annie Tapp