Doernbecher Cancer Survivors Clinic

11/14/2025

Survivorship Program RN: Laura Dorneman

: Laura Dorneman, RN, BSN, CPHON, Doernbecher Survivorship Nurse Coordinator
 
What is your favorite part about working in your field?
 
I enjoy being able to see our patients year after year, to see how they’ve grown, learn what they enjoy, and who they’re becoming. I find the rapid improvements in treatments for childhood cancer fascinating. Patients are being treated with medications now that were not in use when I started my career more than 20 years ago, allowing more kids diagnosed with cancer to live full, long lives.
 
What led you to the OHSU?
 
When my family and I relocated to Portland more than 10 years ago, I sought out a position at OHSU, as it was important to me to work in an academic and research hospital.

What inspired you to become an RN, specializing in pediatric oncology?
 
My first job after graduating from college was on an inpatient pediatric unit that had a mix of diagnoses. I found myself asking for my assignments to include the oncology patients. I enjoyed getting to know them over multiple hospital stays and was interested in the ways that research was involved in up-front treatment.
 
Why is Childhood Cancer Awareness important to you?
 
Childhood cancer research gets a very small percentage of all funding earmarked for cancer research. It’s important to me that the public is aware of this, so that more advocacy can be done to increase funding for childhood cancer research. It important to raise awareness of the number of childhood cancer survivors. In the US alone, there are about 500,000 childhood cancer survivors, and that number continues to grow.
 
What was your “dream job” as a kid?
 
There was a period of time when I wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder when I grew up.
 
What do you like to do for fun?
 
I enjoy spending time outdoors, including gardening, hiking, camping, and snowboarding. I also enjoy traveling with my family.
 
What is your favorite thing to do in Oregon?
 
I love how close we are to both mountains and ocean. The food here can’t be beat … fresh seafood, so many locally grown fruits and vegetables.
 
What is the best emoji to describe you?
 
🥰😍

11/04/2025

https://www.instagram.com/ohsudoernbecher/p/DQpBgqIDPFf/

11/04/2025

Our very own Survivorship Team Psychologist...

: Michael Vanderlind, Asst. Professor of Pediatrics and a pediatric neuropsychologist.

What is your favorite part about working in your field?

Many heavy moments are working in childhood cancer, and people ask how I’m able to handle the hard parts of the job. I tell them, while there are losses and grief in this work, there are also many wins. I watch in awe as kids show their resilience time and time again.

What inspired you to become a Neuropsychologist, and how did you get involved with the pediatric oncology survivorship team?

I’ve always felt a drive to care for other people. Along that journey, I discovered the work of clinical psychology and felt humbled that people would trust me to confide some of their most vulnerable experiences.

I love working with families to celebrate every child’s set of strengths and to gain a better understanding of challenge areas, partnering with them to create plans that support children’s ongoing emotional, social, and cognitive development.

Why is Childhood Cancer Awareness important to you?

Our treatments are improving, and yet, we still have loss. Awareness brings opportunity for us to unite and put our heads together to discover new paths forward. Kids are tough, and they will keep fighting, but we need everyone to fight with us.

What was your “dream job” as a kid?

I wanted to be an actor. My mom reminds me of how I would refer to our fireplace as my stage, and I would ride my bicycle around, handing out autographs to anyone who’d take them.

What do you like to do for fun?

I have been blessed with three beautiful daughters - Austen (3) and my twins, June and Marlowe (1.5). My girls are my world. They make me laugh, cry happy tears, and remember the beauty of childhood curiosity.

What is your favorite thing to do in Oregon?

I love getting out to the coast, playing in the sand with the girls, and watching the waves. My husband and I try to get up to the mountain to ski. The food scene in Portland is incredible. Sign me up to try a new taco, Thai, or Ethiopian place!

What is the best emoji to describe you?

🥰 & 😅 capture my feelings towards parenthood and life.

10/31/2025

10/31/2025

https://foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org/

Find free groceries, fresh produce and nutritious meals near you through Oregon Food Bank’s network of food pantries and meal sites.

10/28/2025

Free community food resources

10/23/2025

https://mailchi.mp/cactuscancer/october2025newsletter-5806226?e=9e5f149d55

We’re leaning into the cozy this month with creativity, gratitude, community, and just a sprinkle of autumn magic ✨ . Alongside favorites like Coffee and Oodles, Sketchy Business, our 30-Minute Tune-Up, and monthly art workshops (including Hangin’ With My Pies!—a heartfelt space for caregive...

09/18/2025

https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ngag/calvesandcocoa_issue1/

Experience our interactive, profoundly engaging digital publication!

09/08/2025

Registration is open for YA Gabfest

Each one of us has an origin story. Every sidekick plays a vital role. And every great mission is achieved, not by going it alone, but by a team. That’s why this year’s YA Cancer Gabfest is all about Joining Forces: Survivors, Sidekicks, & Supporters - Navigating Young Adult Cancer Together.Begi...

09/08/2025

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (gold ribbons) as well as Sickle Cell Awareness Month (red ribbons).

Doernbecher entrances will be lit red and gold from today, 9/8 through 9/15.

The Oregon Convention Center (towers and crescent) will be lit red and gold this upcoming weekend, September 13 and 14.

The Knight Cancer Research Building at the South Waterfront is lit red for two weeks and gold for two weeks this month.

09/03/2025

https://cactuscancer.org/upcoming-programs/

There is always something around the corner at Cactus Cancer Society! Check out this page to see what programs you can look forward to!