The Elephant in the Room is Cancer. Tea is the Relief Conversation Provides.

About Elephants and Tea

Our mission is to help adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients, survivors, and caregivers know they are not alone in their experience with cancer. The Elephant in the room is cancer. Tea is the relief conversation provides.

We are the only magazine written for and by the AYA cancer community telling their story in their own words.

Elephants and Tea is the nonprofit media brand of the Steven G. Cancer Foundation

Who Is the Steven G. Cancer Foundation?

Our Mission

Our mission is to build community and support for the AYA cancer community through wellness, storytelling, education, and research.

Our Goals

To support AYAs facing cancer through community building and survivorship support with Elephants and Tea and our wellness programs.

To fund research to cure cancer through the Harry and Angie Giallourakis AYA Cancer Research Fund.

Why We Do What We Do

Angie and Harry Giallourakis founded The Steven G. AYA Cancer Research Fund (now the Steven G. Cancer Foundation) 14 years ago in honor of their youngest son Steven who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 15 years. Steven is the inspiration behind the SGCF mission.

Steven is now a four-time cancer survivor. He beat four different cancers: At age 15 (stage 4 osteosarcoma), at 18 years (secondary AML) and most recently at age 29 years (pleomorphic sarcoma and renal cell carcinoma).

As a family, the Giallourakis’ have witnessed the triumphs and tribulations Steven has gone through as a patient and survivor. The family is very aware that Steven’s health is but one example of the suffering that takes place when an adolescent or young adult is diagnosed with cancer.

SGCF believes cancer survivorship and quality of life go hand in hand. Our programs reflect that. We strive to support and create resources in the areas of wellness, social support, education and research.

The next stage in evolution for SGCF is Elephants and Tea, our nonprofit media company brand dedicated to the AYA cancer community. Elephants and Tea was created by Angie and Nick Giallourakis, one of Steven’s older brothers, who is now the Executive Director of the organization.

To learn more about the Steven G. Cancer Foundation and our programs click here.

The Staff

Nick Giallourakis (He/Him)

Executive Director

Nick Giallourakis (He/Him)

Executive Director

Kayla Fulginiti, LCSW, OSW-C (She/Her)

Senior Director

Kayla Fulginiti, LCSW, OSW-C (She/Her)

Senior Director

Rachel Mihalko (She/Her)

Director of Content

Rachel Mihalko (She/Her)

Director of Content

Lisa Orr (She/Her)

Brand Director

Lisa Orr (She/Her)

Brand Director

Brett Gnadt (She/Her)

Event Strategist

Brett Gnadt (She/Her)

Event Strategist

Yolanda Murphy

One Herd Content Strategist

Yolanda Murphy

One Herd Content Strategist

Liz Hiles (She/Her)

Happy Hour Coordinator

Liz Hiles (She/Her)

Happy Hour Coordinator

Board of Directors

Jennifer Anand

Member

Jennifer Anand

Member

Jay Carter

Member

Jay Carter

Member

Kristina Rus Cullis

Member

Kristina Rus Cullis

Member

Polly Furey

Vice President

Polly Furey

Vice President

Lauren Ghazal, PhD, FNP-BC

Member

Lauren Ghazal, PhD, FNP-BC

Member

Angie Giallourakis, PhD

Member, Co-Founder

Angie Giallourakis, PhD

Member, Co-Founder

Harry Giallourakis

Member, Co-Founder

Harry Giallourakis

Member, Co-Founder

Steven Giallourakis

President

Steven Giallourakis

President

Nick Hudson

Member

Nick Hudson

Member

Deborah Lewis

Member

Deborah Lewis

Member

Andrew Mitro

Treasurer

Andrew Mitro

Treasurer

Patricia A. Pophal

Member

Patricia A. Pophal

Member

Joey Terry

Secretary

Joey Terry

Secretary

Stefanie Thomas, MD

Member

Stefanie Thomas, MD

Member

Patient advisory committee

Averi Allison

PAC Member

Averi Allison

PAC Member

Jennifer Anand

Co-Chair

Jennifer Anand

Co-Chair

Christian Bullock

PAC Member

Christian Bullock

PAC Member

Jay Carter

Co-Chair

Jay Carter

Co-Chair

Cristina DiFranco

PAC Member

Cristina DiFranco

PAC Member

Kimber Harris

PAC Member

Kimber Harris

PAC Member

Josh Hepner

PAC Member

Josh Hepner

PAC Member

Sha'Leicia Simpson

PAC Member

Sha'Leicia Simpson

PAC Member

Ellen O'Brien

PAC Member

Ellen O'Brien

PAC Member