Art Director, American Chemical Society
In 1982, Robin Braverman received a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has been working as a graphic artist since graduation, and has spent the last 27 years working at the American Chemical Society, mainly as an Art Director for Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly newsmagazine of the Society.
She was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in August of 2002. Surgery was immediately performed, and she enjoyed a period of remission for 18 months. A recurrence was discovered in July of 2004. Since that initial diagnosis, she has endured three major surgeries, several minor procedures, and three different chemotherapy “cocktails.” She has been NED (no evidence of disease) since May of 2005, and has had no chemotherapy since that time.
She and some family members underwent genetic testing at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and it was determined that she had the MSH2 mutation of Lynch Syndrome. Her daughter was tested at the age of 18, and does not carry the gene mutation.
Wanting to help spread the word about colorectal cancer prevention, she became active with and joined the Board of Directors of Chris4Life (now the Colon Cancer Alliance). She participated in two public service announcements, a video, and has spoken to various groups about her journey. She was one of the first twenty people in COLONTOWN, and participates in the continuing discussion.