Psychological Effects of Childhood Cancer

Co-founders of the Still Strong Foundation
Devon is a former NFL player and proud father of Leah, a childhood cancer survivor

Devon Still, MAPP, MBA, is an author, speaker, podcast host, former NFL athlete, and positive psychology practitioner with specialization in child and adolescent well-being, as well as an assistant instructor at the University of Pennsylvania. But, most importantly, Devon is Leah’s dad. Leah is a high-risk neuroblastoma survivor, and Devon helped her publicly “beat up cancer” and embark on a pediatric cancer-fighting journey that inspired the world.

Learn more about Devon and Leah Still and their launch of Braving Neuroblastoma

Head of the Psychosocial Support and Research Program at the National Cancer Institute

Lori Wiener, PhD, DCSW, LCSW-C, is Co-director of the Behavioral Science Core and Head of the Psychosocial Support and Research Program at the pediatric oncology branch of the National Cancer Institute. As both a clinical and behavioral scientist, Dr. Wiener has dedicated her career to applying what she has learned from her work with seriously ill children and their families to create new, therapeutic communication and educational tools. Dr. Wiener has also dedicated a substantial part of her career to applying knowledge from her clinical experience and psychosocial studies to create innovative resources such as books, workbooks, therapeutic games, and an advance care planning guide for children, adolescents, and young adults. She has been part of the leadership team that has developed the first evidence-based psychosocial standards of care for children with cancer and their family members.

Bereaved parents and co-founders of The EVAN Foundation, named after their son Evan Lindberg

Gavin Lindberg is President and co-founder of The EVAN Foundation. Established in 2011, The EVAN Foundation is named in memory of Gavin’s only child, who passed away from neuroblastoma in 2010 at the age of 7. The foundation supports childhood cancer patient-wellness programs, neuroblastoma research, and pediatric oncology advocacy and education initiatives. In addition to his work with The EVAN Foundation, Gavin serves as a parent advocate on the St. Baldrick's / Stand Up to Cancer Pediatric Dream Team, the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Moonshot^SM Pediatric Immunotherapy Discovery and Development Network, the New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT) Consortium, and the Cancer Grand Challenges award-winning NexTGen Team focused on pediatric solid tumors.

Wendy Lindberg is co-founder and Executive Director of The EVAN Foundation. After her son Evan's 4-year battle with neuroblastoma that started when he was 3, she and her husband Gavin established The EVAN Foundation in his memory. Evan was Wendy and Gavin’s only child. With a background in business, Wendy manages foundation operations and organizes and runs fundraising events. The EVAN Foundation supports childhood cancer research, has a Treats & Treasures Carts Program at hospitals across North America, and a College Scholarship Program for Childhood Cancer Survivors.

Childhood cancer survivor

Stephanie is a relapsed neuroblastoma survivor. Her journey began in 2008 at the age of 5, when she was first diagnosed and treated. Seven years later, as Stephanie was entering middle school, another spot appeared on her neck, and her cancer journey started all over again. After many additional months of treatments and setbacks, Stephanie was declared to have no evidence of disease (NED), and in 2020 entered survivorship. Stephanie was chosen out of 44 recipients from 22 states to receive the Evan Lindberg and Erik Ludwinski College Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded by The EVAN Foundation to 2 survivors of high-risk cancers. Stephanie plans to attend Penn State to pursue her dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist, so that she can continue her quest to help children with cancer.