LESLIE M. TWOHIG passed away on April 2, 2011 after succumbing to Inflammatory Triple Negative Breast Cancer that metastasized to her bones. She left behind two sons, two new granddaughters, and a devoted husband. LESLIE’S WEEK, a Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer Nonprofit, began on April 3, 2011 in honor of Leslie’s life and memory.
Her gallant determination to smile through her incredible pain and enjoy life despite a terminal diagnosis is the inspiration behind our mission to bring Fun & Happiness to women who have heard the words
“You have Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer.”
WE ALL KNOW LESLIE.
She is our mother, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend.
We all have her in our lives.
MEET OUR TEAM
SANDRA GUNn
FOUNDER & CEO | BOd | SURVIVOR
LESLIE’S WEEK founder, Sandra Gunn, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2013 and 2017. It was then that the full force of LESLIE’S WEEK, which began as a tribute to honor LESLIE’S TWOHIG began to define Sandra. She is the life force of LESLIE'S WEEK. Her passion for this cause ignites fires of awareness within cancer communities. A mother and survivor herself, she fully understands what Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer women experience. Her vision is to gift Stage 4 MBC women and their families A Week Away from Cancer where they create Memories that Outlast Cancer. The LESLIE’S WEEK Educational Assistance Fund gives the children of our Honorees a Future. Sandra believes that leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality; and that a leader is a dealer in HOPE.
Sandra is one of the ten 2016 L'Oreal Paris "Women of Worth" Honorees, selected from more than 6,200 nominations for "Making a beautiful difference in the world." In 2015 she was selected from more than 9,000 nominees as an honoree by Massachusetts General Cancer Center to receive "the One Hundred" award given to the "100 Everyday Amazing Groups or Individuals." She won the DeCesaris Cancer Institute's "Fire and Soul" award in 2014, "For the courage to look beyond oneself to bring joy to others." LESLIE’S WEEK has won the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Sandra is a writer and an award-winning author of two books. Her latest book, TERMINAL…far from the shallow…, was written in collaboration with 30 LESLIE’S WEEK Stage 4 Breast Cancer women and their family members. The first book TERMINAL…Nonfiction Words That Read Like Fiction won the Bronze Medal in the Living Now Book Competition and the Illustration Award in the Reader’s Favorite Book Competition. She traveled extensively in Europe, where she spent time with Piero Busnelli, one of Italy's most inventive manufacturers of high-design furniture. She traveled to the Middle East with her husband, where they were the guests of King Faisel and Bedouin Sheikh al Shalaan. She was permitted to create a portfolio of priceless photographs. She earned her BA from the University of Florida and her MA from Auburn University.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(Hover over images to reveal names)
ani chang
VICE PRESIDENT & TREASURER, BOD
corey mccarthy
SECRETARY, BOD
dr. carol tweed
BOD, BOARD CERTIFIED IN MEDICAL ONCOLOGY & HEMATOLOGY
dr. chris spittler
BOD BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON, BREAST CANCER RECONSTRUCTION
DR. LORRAINE TAFRA
BOD, BOARD CERTIFIED BY THE AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY
TRANSPARENCY
Transparency in our programs and finances is an important commitment for our nonprofit families, sponsors, and donors. We update this section of LESLIE'S WEEK on an annual basis as our financial information becomes available.
LESLIE'S WEEK is a charitable organization, recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit.
Our Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer Women are chosen regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, and age.
EIN #46-4899156
IRS TAX FORM 990
EDUCATIONAL INVESTMENT FUND
The LESLIE'S WEEK Educational Assistance Fund is established at First Southern Bank. It is for our LESLIE'S KIDS participating families. Our Educational Assistance is designated exclusively for higher education and is available to these children upon graduation from high school. The award is in the mother's name and goes directly to the school of the student’s choice.