Guest Speaker - September 6, 2016

Robyn J. Raphael, MPA

Robyn currently holds the position of Director of Corporate Relations at the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. In 2003 Robyn decided to “Be Brave and Get Bald” by shaving her head and becoming a Volunteer Organizer for the Foundation. Robyn’s efforts have raised more than $5 million dollars for childhood cancer research.

Robyn’s childhood cancer journey began in 1998, after the loss of her 5-year-old son, Keaton, to neuroblastoma stage IV. Robyn founded the Keaton Raphael Memorial in Roseville, Ca and served as CEO until 2012. Among Robyn’s accomplishments at the Memorial she created an innovative Childhood Cancer Family Navigator model which has served more than 8,000 families in northern ca with safety net services and named Keaton’s Korner, at the UC Davis pediatric oncology outpatient playroom.

Robyn is a passionate local and national advocate for children’s cancer. For more than 17 years, she has participated in over 500 legislative meetings and served on numerous local and national childhood cancer committees. Robyn has represented the state of Ca at Childhood Cancer Advocacy Days in Washington D.C. as well as testified in front of the National Childhood Cancer Committee.

Robyn currently serves as member of the Ca Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan’s Childhood Cancer Committee as a parent advocate.

As a graduate of Ca State University, Long Beach, Robyn holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Public Policy Administration.

Robyn resides in Roseville, Ca and enjoys spending time with her 16 year-old daughter, Kiana and awaits weekend visits from her 22 year old son, Kyle, who attends Chico State.