Our Board of Directors came together in April 2014 for the first time. We are twelve individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the pediatric cancer world! Directors are volunteers. There are no paid staff members for Pediatric Cancer Action Network.
Karri Ahlschwede
Board of Directors and Co-founder of Pediatric Cancer Action Network.
Karri is a registered nurse and mother of seven children, one of which was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma at the age of 18 months. During her daughter's treatment, she was moved by the number of people who reached out to her and to her family. She was motivated by the kindness of others to incorporate PCAN in order to "pay it forward". While her daughter, Leyna is currently "No Evidence of Disease", too many of the friends she made during treatment are either still fighting for their child or mourning the loss of their child. (2014)
Gary Peters
President, Board of Directors
Gary and his family live in Aurora, Nebraska. In 2011, his oldest son, Jacob, was diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma at the age of 16. Jacob died fighting cancer on November 16 of that same year. After watching Jacob fight his battle, Gary was looking for a way to continue fighting in his honor when he learned about the efforts of Karri and Mitch and all of their daughter's supporters. Raising awareness and finding support for kids and families that are in the fight has become a passion and calling in his life. (2014)
Mitchell Ahlschwede
Board of Directors and Co-founder of Pediatric Cancer Action Network
Mitch is married to Karri Ahlschwede and resides outside of Pickrell where they raise seven children, horses, goats, and other various animals. When he is not working as a locomotive engineer for BNSF Railways, he spends time with his family, enjoys reading, outdoor recreation and attends Christ Lutheran Church, Pickrell. He was completely unaware of childhood cancer until his youngest daughter was diagnosed with Stage IV, High-Risk Neuroblastoma in Feb of 2013. Being exposed to Leyna's brutal and relentless treatment became an impetus to do more for children with cancer and their families. Mitch became involved in several awareness campaigns leading to legislation at the state level that funds pediatric cancer research and is excited to work as part of a growing organization aimed at families and children facing this fight in the state of Nebraska. (2014)
Erika Shelton
Vice-President, Board of Directors and Co-founder of Pediatric Cancer Action Network
Erika is a hair designer and salon owner in Lincoln, NE. Her cousins daughter, Leyna, was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma as a toddler. While seeing the struggles that Leyna and her family went through during her diagnosis and treatment, Erika was eager to help them in any way she could. Now that Leyna has "No Evidence of Disease", Erika is motivated to help other families in Nebraska that are affected by pediatric cancer. (2014)
Kerri Merkel
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Kerri is a registered nurse, a wife, and mother of two boys. She and Karri Ahlschwede have been friends for over 20 years. Kerri was impacted immensely by the struggles that Karri and her family encountered during their daughter's cancer battle. With the help of others, Kerri put on a great fundraiser to help support the Ahlschwede family. The success of that fundraiser inspired her to do more! Her goal is to be able to help other families during their struggle with pediatric cancer. (2014)
Jayme Shelton
Board of Directors
Jayme believes to be the best, you must surround yourself with positive people that encourage you to grow. He’s found this to be true as a dedicated family man, Realtor and co-owner of Eve Salon and Spa, Black Swan Dress Boutique and Fundamentals Athletic Academy in addition to being a board member for the Pediatric Cancer Action Network.
Jessica Kjar
Secretary, Board of Directors
Jessica has been a pediatric nurse since 2008. Jessica has loved taking care of children since the beginning of her nursing career and her passion for caring for those battling cancer began from her grandfather who battled and passed from cancer when she was young. Fortunately, straight out of nursing school, Jessica found her calling at Children's Hospital to be able to provide care and support to children and their families battling cancer. Jessica has a passion to raise awareness of the unspoken support these families need to have hope and to meet the needs that are calling from every day life. Jessica helped fundraise for PCAN in October 2015 by joining team PCAN who ran in the first annual Nebraska Marathon event in Omaha. Jessica also was touched by Leyna Ahlschwede and her family during Leyna's journey with neuroblastoma. Once Jessica heard about the mission that Karri and Mitchell were embarking on through PCAN, Jessica knew she wanted to do more for this network to be able to provide resources and relief for families during such a vulnerable time in their lives. (2016)
Lesa Hoppe
Board of Directors
Dr. Lesa Hoppe is a registered nurse, an Associate Professor of Nursing, and mother of three. Her family lives in Lincoln, NE. Lesa teaches courses in research & evidence-based practice and in community-based nursing, with a love for maternal-child health and public health. Lesa is inspired to do more to create awareness about the incidence & prevalence of pediatric cancer.
Lesa has known Karri since nursing school together and has followed PCAN since Leyna’s neuroblastoma diagnosis. Lesa’s family attended events such as Pancakes for PCAN for many years, and enjoyed participating in initiatives such as Eat, Drink, Cure in the local community. She is looking forward to advocating for and honoring children and their families that have battled pediatric cancer through continued service & support as a member of the Board.
Shari Peters
Board of Directors
Shari and Gary Peters have been married for over thirty years and were blessed with three sons, Jacob, Jerod and Dalton. Their oldest son, Jacob was diagnosed with T- Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma at the age of 16. Jacob was a fierce competitor and he never was known to back down from a challenge. This is how he took on cancer as well! His cancer journey was a rollercoaster of minimal successes and a multitude of setbacks. After a 9 ½ month battle, ultimately his body could withstand no more. Jacob passed peacefully surrounded by his family on November 16, 2011 at the age of 17. Jacob’s strength, determination and perseverance never wavered. At the time of Jacob’s diagnoses Shari was unaware how prevalent Childhood Cancer is in Nebraska. Cancer has forever changed her family. It is now Shari’s mission to carry on Jacob’s legacy and honor him by helping other families like theirs battling cancer, raise awareness and offer hope.
Stephanie Tomlinson
Board of Directors
Stephanie lives in Lincoln, NE with her husband and three children. She works from home for a talent management software provider, helping organizations align technology solutions to achieve global business initiatives.
After helping raise funds for another local organization, Steph was motivated to do more. She had attended PCAN events in the past and was inspired by the support and resources PCAN provides to families in Nebraska. As a board member, Steph hopes to amplify that work, spreading awareness and advocacy for children and families impacted by pediatric cancer.
Ashley Bowers
Board of Directors
Ashley lives in rural York County with her husband and four children. In 2014 her youngest son, Silas, was diagnosed with Pre-B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of 3. After experiencing Silas undergoing treatment for 3 years Ashley became inspired to help other families going through similar situations. Following the end of Silas’ battle in 2017, Ashley looked for ways that she could best serve families that were going through similar situations while also spreading awareness and advocating for better research and treatment options for all kids facing a cancer diagnosis. Ashley has made it her life’s mission to advocate for Nebraska families, like hers, going through some of life’s toughest battles.