Who We are
Founded at the Intersection of Genetics, Advocacy, and Lived Experience
The Advocate’s Table exists because knowledge has the power to change generations.
Founded through lived experience, we work to increase hereditary cancer awareness, promote early detection, elevate patient voices, and create opportunities for education, advocacy, and meaningful partnership.
We believe everyone deserves access to information that can help them make informed decisions about their health and future.
Meet Our Founder
Shanise Pearce
Founder & CEO | Hereditary Cancer Advocate | Speaker | Patient Experience Advisor
🏆 OncoDaily Top 100 Most Influential Cancer Survivors
🎤 100 Speaker, Panelist & Community Advocate
📝 Published Articles, Educational Resources & Media Contributions
🏛️ Legislative Advocacy for Cancer Awareness & Education
🔬 National Research & Patient Advisory Leadership
🤝 Board Service & Community Partnerships
Shanise Pearce is a hereditary cancer advocate, speaker, and patient experience advisor dedicated to helping individuals and families understand hereditary cancer risk, navigate genetic testing, and make informed healthcare decisions.
In 2023, Shanise was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. The diagnosis brought visibility to a story that had already been written into her DNA. She carries BRCA2 and PMS2 gene mutations associated with Lynch syndrome, a hereditary history intertwined with the experiences of her grandparents, parents, siblings, children, and extended family.
This journey revealed deep disparities in early detection, access to genetic testing, health education, and patient advocacy, particularly within underserved and underrepresented communities. It also revealed how much silence, fear, and inherited grief families often carry alone.
From this experience, The Advocate’s Table was born. It is a place where survivors, previvors, caregivers, advocates, and families can learn, connect, and access information that empowers informed decision-making.
A place where knowledge is shared.
A place where patient voices are elevated.
A place where education becomes advocacy and awareness becomes action.
Shanise is a wife of over 24 years to her best friend, Russell, and the mother of three children: Naomi, Shadè, and Russ. Their presence, support, and encouragement have shaped her journey and strengthened her purpose.
She did not wait for permission to take her seat.
She built the table and opened the chairs for others“Cancer called me back to myself. It uncovered my lineage, my purpose, and the work I was born to do. There is room at this table for your story too. Pull up a seat.”
~ Shanise Pearce, Founder & CEO, The Advocate’s Table
GUIDED BY EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND EQUITY
Mission, Vision & Core Values
Mission:
The Advocate’s Table empowers individuals, families, and communities through hereditary cancer education, advocacy, and lived experience. We work to increase awareness, promote early detection, elevate patient voices, and expand access to information that can help save lives across generations.
Vision:
We envision a future where every individual has access to the knowledge, resources, and support needed to make informed decisions about hereditary cancer risk and health.
A future where awareness leads to action, advocacy drives change, and no family faces hereditary cancer alone.
Our Core Values
📚 Education
We believe knowledge can save lives and that everyone deserves access to understandable, actionable health information.
📣 Advocacy
We believe every person deserves to be heard, respected, and empowered to advocate for themselves and their loved ones.
⚖️ Equity
We are committed to addressing disparities in awareness, access, and outcomes, particularly in underserved and underrepresented communities.
🤝 Community
We believe meaningful change happens when people come together to share experiences, learn from one another, and support collective progress.
🔬 Research
We believe lived experience and scientific discovery are strongest when they work together to improve outcomes and drive innovation.
💡 Empowerment
We believe every individual deserves the knowledge, confidence, and support needed to make informed choices and advocate for themselves and their loved ones.
💜 Lived Experience
We believe lived experience is a form of expertise. Personal stories have the power to educate, influence change, shape research, and improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
ROOTED IN LIVED EXPERIENCE
Our Story & Impact
I am here because I refused to let my story end in silence.
My journey began long before I ever heard the word “cancer.”
It began with family history, inherited risk, and questions that generations before me did not always have the opportunity to ask.
My diagnosis did not start my story. It made the story visible.
In 2023, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I also learned I carried BRCA2 and PMS2 gene mutations associated with Lynch syndrome, a hereditary cancer risk that connected my personal experience to a much larger family story.
That experience transformed my perspective.
I saw firsthand the gaps in genetic awareness, access to information, early detection, and patient advocacy – especially within underserved and underrepresented communities.
What began as a personal journey became a mission.
Today, The Advocate’s Table serves as a platform for hereditary cancer education, advocacy, community engagement, patient empowerment, and research-informed action.
Through speaking, writing, partnerships, legislative advocacy, and lived experience, we help individuals and families better understand their risk and make informed decisions that can change lives across generations.
Because hereditary cancer impacts more than one person.
It impacts families.
It impacts communities.
It impacts futures.
And no one should have to navigate that journey alone.
knowldege & EMPOWERMENT
The Advocate’s Table empowers individuals, families, and caregivers through education, advocacy, and lived experience.
We provide trusted information about hereditary cancer risk, genetic testing, BRCA2, PMS2, Lynch syndrome, early detection, and emerging research so individuals and families can make informed decisions with confidence.
Our work centers access, awareness, and empowerment because knowledge has the power to change lives across generations.
COMMUNITY & Action
We believe meaningful change happens when individuals, families, healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocates come together around a shared commitment to awareness, education, and action.
Our community is rooted in lived experience and strengthened through partnership, collaboration, and advocacy.
Together, we elevate patient voices, expand access to information, and promote a future where no family faces hereditary cancer alone.