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Team

After years of hearing the frustration of his cancer patients, Dr. Sender gathered a team to find a solution.  The SeventyK team came together at the University of California, Irvine in 2008 to write the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Bill of Rights with the help of many survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals. 

Leonard Sender, MD

L Sender
Dr. Sender is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology with professional interests strongly centered on the diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiology of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer (patients aged 15 to 39).  He is Medical Director of the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program in the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC Children’s and UC Irvine’s Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.  He received his medical education in South Africa at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and completed his pediatrics internship and residency at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center in Orange.

Team Members

  • Ali Ansary

    Ali is a future physician and proud advocate of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivorship advocacy and awareness. He works closely with many AYA survivors and he is committed to improving quality of care for cancer survivors. Ali holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and Master's from the University of Cambridge. His motivation and passion are rooted through the strength, creativity and passion of every young survivor he meets. Connect with Ali on the SeventyK Wellness Network. 

  • Ryan Panchadsaram

    Ryan is based out of San Francisco and strongly believes that the web is the perfect medium for activism and change.  He is co-founder of Pipette, a new health care startup bringing doctors and patients closer. Ryan has been instrumental in creating the vision of SeventyK and is finding ways to get the group's voice heard using the latest web technologies. You can connect with him on the SeventyK Wellness Network. 

  • Sarah Sharaf

    Sarah received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, from the University of California, Berkeley and is currently studying to become a physician.  She is a significant contributor to the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program developed and organized by Dr. Sender.  She is committed to improving the health and well being of all young people diagnosed with cancer.  Sarah is inspired by her fellow AYA advocates and hopes to effect change in the understanding of AYA cancer. Connect with her on the SeventyK Wellness Network.

  • Bruce Thier, In Memory

    Bruce was an original member of the SeventyK team.  He lost his battle to cancer in 2011.  He was a business owner in Orange County who devoted his time to helping organizations like SeventyK.  As a father, Bruce was passionate about advocating issues that were important for youth.  He became involved with SeventyK to advocate the correct philosophy for treating young adults with cancer and survivors of cancer.