WV Panel Discussion: “ Innovations in Multi-Cancer Early Detection”:
Panelists:
Dr. Whitney Jones, MD, Medical Advisor for GRAIL, Inc.
Dr. Whitney Jones is a Gastroenterologist, a former Clinical Professor of Medicine, and current adjunct Professor in the School of Public Health and information services at the University of Louisville. He is a founding member and currently serves as Chair of the Kentucky Colon Cancer Screening and Prevention Program Advisory Committee serving the un- and underinsured. He is a 2020-21 alumnus of the City of Hope Intensive Course in Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment and currently serves on the National Colorectal Cancer Round Table’s Family History and Early Age Onset CRC Task Force.
In 2003, he founded and remains active in the Colon Cancer Prevention Project, a leading CRC information and advocacy organization focused on innovative acceleration of evidence-based screening including emerging biotech and logistics. A major focus of the “Project” is advocacy around pragmatic state-based laws that lower barriers to access evidence-based CRC screening. Kentucky is the first state in the nation to mandate no cost-sharing coverage for preventative evidence-based genetic panel testing for hereditary cancers including Lynch Syndrome. These laws have resulted in Kentucky having the lowest barriers for CRC screening in the nation. Kentucky has since more than doubled its screening rates (now 69.7%) and reduced colon cancer deaths by a third.
Dr. Jones joined the Grail Team in 2021 to advance multi-cancer early detection technology through education, policy, and clinical pathways.
Andrea D. Hasley, MA., Program Coordinator Mountains of Hope, West Virginia's State Cancer Coalition
Andrea D. Hasley currently serves as Program Coordinator for Mountains of Hope (MOH), West Virginia’s State Cancer Coalition. Hasley received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from West Virginia University (2002) and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Leadership from American Public University (2013). Previous to the MOH appointment, Hasley served as a WV music educator for 19 years and has been recognized for her work in the classroom and in music education outreach. She is a past president of the West Virginia Music Educators Association (WVMEA), founder of the WVMEA Advocacy Leadership Force, and currently serves as WVMEA Historian. Hasley frequently presents on advocacy, leadership, and non-profit management at local, state, regional, and national conferences, and events. A recent breast cancer survivor, Andrea’s new position connects resources to WV residents, communities, cancer survivors, and health care providers. Andrea resides in Morgantown, WV with her husband James and their two children.