Desert Cancer Foundation (DCF), a California 501-(c)-(3) corporation, was founded more than a decade ago to pay for cancer treatment of patients who lack insurance or sufficient funds to pay for their medical care. This program is accomplished through the efforts of two full time staff members, a volunteer board of directors, and the generous support of individuals and businesses in the Coachella Valley. DCF works with the support of local healthcare professionals, who provide their services to DCF clients at a greatly reduced cost. DCF serves resident cancer patients of all ages and ethnic groups throughout the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

 

Stephen A. Christian, President

Stephen Christian is the Vice President/Senior Private Banker at Wells Fargo Private Banking in Palm Desert. He was born and raised in Bozeman, Montana. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University. Christian subsequently graduated from the Colorado School of Banking. A desert resident for 19 years, he has been very active in community and charitable organizations. Currently he is a Trustee for the Family YMCA of the Desert, member of the local chapter of American Cancer Society and a board member of the National Junior Tennis League. Christian is a 22 year cancer survivor. Both of his parents are also cancer survivors.

 

Scott Burch, Vice President/Marketing

As Principal and Creative Director for the award-winning Southern California design firm Scott Burch Design, Scott has brought his extensive print and packaging design skills to the forefront. He believes good design encompasses us in every aspect of our lives. "Good design sells, guides, creates and most importantly teaches." Scott Burch Design designs packaging for DVD materials, produces award-winning print advertising campaigns, logo development and interactive point-of-purchase displays. A degree in Environmental Design from San Diego State University led to the graphic design program at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Scott and his wife Renell, an attorney, have two daughters.

 

Susan Sagle, RN, OCN, CCRP, Vice President/Client Programs

Susan began her Oncology nursing career at Eisenhower Medical Center in 1978. She served on a number of hospital committees there including the Multidisciplinary Oncology Team, Bioethics Committee, Medical Research Committee and the Institutional Review Board. She has managed both inpatient and outpatient oncology units. She has served on the Boards of Directors of the American Cancer Society and Gilda's Club Desert Cities. A member of the Desert Cancer Foundation Board of Directors since 1999, Susan is currently the Chairperson of the Patient Assistance Committee. She is the former Director of Research at the Cancer and Blood Institute. She is a Certified Clinical Research Professional as well as an Oncology Certified Nurse. In 1991 she was a recipient of the Lane W. Adams Award from the American Cancer Society in recognition of outstanding and compassionate cancer nursing, and for setting the highest standard in care for people with cancer and their families. She and her husband, Neil, reside in Palm Springs.

Lilli Mandelik, Secretary

Lilli Mandelik accepted the position of Administrator for the Rancho Mirage Surgery Center in December of 2008. Before this, she worked as a healthcare consultant and owned a local medical research Site Management Organization from 2005 through 2009. For the previous seven and a half years, she served as the Director of the Desert Comprehensive Breast Center at Desert Regional Medical Center . Lilli served as the Director of Business Development for Desert Regional Medical Center from 1993 through 1997 and was originally recruited to the hospital as the Manager for Hospice in 1991. Prior to working in Palm Springs she worked at Eisenhower Medical Center in the Department of Human Behavior and the Peter Lake Radiation Oncology Department. Lilli holds both a Masters degree from Chapman University and a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University and began her interest in medicine counseling patients with acute illnesses over 20 years ago. Lilli was instrumental in starting the Suzanne Jackson Breast Cancer Fund which serves uninsured valley residents who need screening and diagnostic mammography services. She sits on the Medical Advisory Board for Gilda's Club and has been a board member of the Desert Cancer Foundation since 2001.

Julia E. Burt, Treasurer

Julia E. Burt attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, earning a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a major in accounting in 1985. While at the University of Wisconsin, Julia was actively involved with Beta Alpha Psi, serving as the first female president of the fraternity. Today, Julia enjoys the rare combination of having both a CPA and a law degree, having earned the latter from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton. Combining her CPA and law degree, Julia’s practice is principally devoted to Probate, Estate and Trust law. Her boutique firm emphasizes a hands on approach, and assists clients with the planning and the subsequent administration for clients. Julia is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association, the California Society of CPA’s, the American Institute of CPA’s, the Desert Bar Association, serves on the Planned Giving Council for Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California, and is a board member for the Partnership for End of Live Care of the Coachella Valley. She is past President of the Tahoe Truckee Bar Association. Julia is married to Randall and enjoys traveling, golf, cooking and skiing.

 

Michael P. Appelhans, Esq

Michael P. Appelhans is the General Counsel of Eisenhower Medical Center. Prior to joining Eisenhower Medical Center, Appelhans was a legal consultant and served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel from 1995 to 2006 for the Tenet HealthCare Corporation hospitals located in California, NevadaNebraska. Appelhans, a former resident of the CoachellaValley, served as Vice President/General Counsel of Desert Hospital Corporation from 1992 through 1995. He began his legal career in Sacramento, California, at the University of California, DavisMedical Center, in 1982, as Legal Affairs Analyst. He has also served as Legal Counsel at Alta Bates Corporation in Emeryville, California, and Summa Health System, in Akron, Ohio. Appelhans earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento, in 1984, and his Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Wichita State University, Kansas. Appelhans has been married for 35 years and has three grown children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

 

Stu Bailey

Stu Bailey is the Regional President for Sunrise Bank, a southern California business bank.  He has been in banking for over 20 years and in sales his entire career following his graduation with of BA in Economics from the University of Victoria in 1971.  Stu immigrated to the U.S. in 1983 when he married his bride of 27 years, Jamie, and proudly received his American citizenship in 2005.  Stu loves Italy, stone sculpture, when he’s got time, and his six grandchildren, not necessarily in that order!

 

 

 

Elber Camacho, M.D

Dr. Camacho is the Medical Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Desert Regional Medical Center . He has over 20 years' experience as a medical oncologist and hematologist. He was recruited to the Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1995 from Loma Linda (CA) University, where he earned his medical degree and was on the teaching staff. Dr. Camacho also was a fellow in Hematology and Immunology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York . He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology. He specializes in general hematology and malignant hematology with emphasis on leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. In addition to his duties as medical director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Camacho serves as medical director of the Hospice Program at Desert Regional Medical Center . He also serves on the board of the American Cancer Society. He and his wife, Ludim, have three children. They reside in Palm Springs.

 

Robert Clark

Robert H. Clark Jr. was born in Portland, Oregon on April 12, 1930. He attended University of Southern California. In 1952 he joined the United States Air Force and served as a jet pilot until 1956. He has been a principal of Cosway Company since 1962 where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board. He has seven children, eighteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He resides in Palm Desert .

 

 

 

 
Charissa Farley

Charissa Farley is the president of Farley Interlocking Paving, a paving installation contracting company and a paving stone distribution company. She is active in the Building Industry Association, the BIA Women's Council, the ADA Standardization Committee, and the Desert Contractor's Association. Charissa has also been a segment host for the local television programs "Desert Home Builders" and "New Home Television" and the host of "Home Makeover in the Desert" on Time Warner Channel 4.   Born in Los Angeles, she attended Santa Monica College and University of Southern California. A twenty year resident of the Coachella Valley, she resides in Rancho Mirage with her son.

 

 

Richard Fausel, D.O.

Dr. Fausel is director of The Osteoporosis Center in Rancho Mirage. He has served as Medical Director of the Clinical Laboratory, Infusion and Apheresis Services and Osteoporosis Center of The Cancer and Blood Institute. He is a graduate of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed residency in Pathology at Harbor- UCLA Medical Center. He is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and Family Medicine. He has lived in the desert more than 30 years and loves outdoor recreation, especially bicycling. He and his wife, Rosemary, enjoy a daughter, Cassie.

 

 

Maria Kiner

Maria Kiner is a CPA and Registered Investment Advisor. She graduated from Michael's rival school University of Southern California but recovered with a MBA from University of California Los Angeles. Two daughters and a good deal of coffee keep her on her toes.

 

 

 

 

Michael Kiner

Michael Kiner is an Architect and Real Estate Developer in the Coachella Valley . A UCLA graduate, Michael played professional Baseball before getting a Masters degree from SCIARC in Los Angles. He is married to fellow Board Member Maria Kiner and lives in Palm Desert with his two daughters. 

 

  

 

 

Brian Ludington

Brian Ludington is the President and owner of Ludington Construction, Inc., which specializes in high end custom residential and commercial construction.  Brian was born and raised in Bellingham, Washington.  He is a graduate of Bellingham High School and Washington State University.  He and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Palm Desert.

 

  

 

 

Lee Morcus

Lee Morcus is a Principal with Kaiser Restaurant Group. A veteran of the hospitality industry he opened his first restaurant in Chicago in 1984. Currently he oversees the development and operations of Kaiser Grille, The Chop House, Crazy Bones and The Hog's Breath Inn. A desert resident since his youth, he has been very active in community and charitable organizations. Lee has a Bachelor of Science & Arts in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Denver. He and Lisa, his partner, reside in Indian Wells.

 

Bob Schenkman

Bob attended UCLA earning a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration with a Major in Accounting in 1959. While at UCLA ,Bob was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity.  Prior to establishing his own CPA firm in Encino, California, Bob was a partner in a local Los Angeles CPA firm.  Bob's field of expertise included Real Estate and Income Taxes over the past forty-five years until his retirement in 2006, when he moved permanently to Indian Ridge Country Club in PalmDesert. Bob was a member of the California Society of CPA'S and the American Institute of CPA'S until his retirement. In retirement, Bob wanted to get involved with a local charity that helped the unfortunate and Desert Cancer Foundation was perfect. Bob supports the Desert Cancer Foundation as well as Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, where a grandson receives care.  Bob is married to Diana and they have three sons and one daughter as well as four beautiful granddaughters and two handsome grandsons. Bob and Diana feel very fortunate to live at Indian Ridge Country Club, enjoying the golf and surrounded by great friends, and being able to help those in need through a great charity, Desert Cancer Foundation.

 

Peter J. Wasserman

Peter J. Wasserman retired as an executive in the securities industry following 40 years of service.  Mr. Wasserman served variously as Vice President of Drexel Burnham, President of Drysale Securities, President and Managing Partner of Altman, Brenner & Wasserman Securities, Managing Partner of Patriot Partners and a member of the NYSE.  He is a graduate of St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, and is active today in fundraising for the University.  Through the Wasserman Family Foundation, he supports Desert Cancer Foundation, Gilda's Club Desert Cities, McCallum Theatre, Opera Arts and the Palm Springs Art Museum.  As a cancer survivor he is also active in fundraising for Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their immediate families.  He and his wife, Judi, have three children and three granddaughters.  The Wassermans reside in  Palm Desert and also maintain a home in New York City. 

 

 Teresa Whipple

Teresa Whipple is Vice President - Executive Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Desert Regional Medical Center. A licensed Certified Public Accountant, she is responsible for management and operation of the Comprehensive Cancer Center and Desert Comprehensive Breast Center. She oversees a staff of more than 135 cancer specialists who provide services for cancer screening, detection, treatment and follow up. Whipple first joined the Cancer Center 15 years ago as Director of Finance. Prior to relocating to Palm Springs, she held positions of increasing responsibility including Chief Financial Officer/Associate Administrator for Oakwood Hospital in Chicago. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Major in Accounting at Western Carolina University in North Carolina. She served in the U.S. Army for four years. She serves on the Board of the American Cancer Society. Among her professional affiliations are: member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Healthcare Financial Managers Association, the Advisory Board Oncology Roundtable, and the Association of Community Cancer Centers.  She and her husband, Barry Clayton, reside in Rancho Mirage.

 

Robert A. Bernheimer, Past President and Board Member Emeritus

Bernheimer served on the board of the Desert Cancer Foundation from 1997 to 2008. He was a City Councilman in Indian Wells since from 2000 through 2008 and served as Mayor from 2002-2003 and 2005-2006. Bernheimer is a local attorney at the firm, Robert A. Bernheimer. His legal practice emphasizes government relations, real estate law and business litigation. Bernheimer is a past board member of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, the Indian Wells/Desert Town Lecture Series, the Palm Springs and Desert Resorts Convention and Visitors Authority, Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert, Southern California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, the Indian Wells Planning Commission and the Indian Wells Architecture and Landscape Committee. He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara (B.A., 1989) and the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (J.D., with great distinction and Order of the Coif, 1994). He has one child and lives in Indian Wells.

 

FOUNDATION STAFF

Peggy Bilous, Executive Director

 Peggy joined the Desert Cancer Foundation as Executive Director in October of 2004. She previously served in executive management in consumer and business to business media. Peggy served on the board of the AIDS Assistance program and as a committee chair in resource development. She is a member of Women Leaders Forum, Desert Literary Society and Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving.  She previously served as a board member of the Northwest AIDS Foundation. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University. Peggy and her husband, Gil Brown, reside in Palm Desert .

 

 

FOUNDERS

Sebastian George, M.D.

A prominent Coachella Valley oncologist and founder of the Cancer & Blood Institute of Rancho Mirage, Dr. George died in an automobile accident in 2002.

 

Arthur and Cory Teichner

Art, a two time cancer survivor, and his wife, Cory, raised monies to provide more than $10 million of cancer treatment through the Desert Cancer Foundation. Art passed away during his third battle with cancer in 2005. Cory passed away shortly thereafter of heart failure.