Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition announces board officers

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition announced its new executive board members: President Dr. Avani Virani, Vice President Linda Marquess, Treasurer Brad Slaney, CPA, and Secretary Judi Pflaumer. 

The coalition’s mission is to empower the community by raising awareness of breast health issues and increasing access to care through outreach, education and support services, to facilitate early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

Marilyn Hyte served as board president since early 2020, helping ensure the coalition continued to be a lifesaving resource for those in need and those facing increased isolation, especially throughout the pandemic and turbulent times that followed. Her lighthearted spirit, thoughtfulness for others, and her unwavering strength served as a constant reminder that even in tough times, in the grand scheme of things, "It's all good" as she often said. Since 2017, she served as chair of the DBCC's Breast Cancer Update, including the 25th Annual Breast Cancer Update in April 2023.

"It's an honor to have served as board president of DBCC," said Hyte. "DBCC is not just an organization; it's like a second family to me. I have a personal connection to the cause as a two-time breast cancer survivor. The DBCC staff and my fellow board members have always been there for me.”

Having completed her term as president, Hyte continues to serve on the DBCC board while Virani, former vice president, accepted leadership as president.  "Dr. Virani and her fellow board members will make a great team that continues to bring energetic leadership as we serve patients in Delaware," said Hyte.

A senior medical director at Highmark Delaware, Virani is board certified in internal medicine and hospice/palliative care medicine. She recently accepted an appointment by Gov. John Carney to serve on the Delaware Nursing Home Residents Quality Assurance Commission and Behavioral Health Consortium.

“As we climb out of a screening slowdown created by the COVID pandemic, we will need to get creative and try to reach as many Delawareans as we can to make up for the lost time,” said Virani.

Now occupying the vice president position, Marquess is a retired senior executive from DuPont. She lives in southern Delaware and enjoys time in Florida during the winter months. A breast cancer survivor herself, Marquess said she is excited to be giving back by accepting this appointment to the board. 

Slaney is a director with Horty & Horty, P.A. in Dover, where he is an active participant in the firm’s business development efforts.

Pflaumer, a wealth strategist and chief compliance officer with Wealth Management Group, LLC in Dover. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her three grandchildren, gardening, and camping.

“Armed with knowledge, fueled by compassion, and driven by a desire to support one another, we can aim to alleviate suffering caused by breast cancer,” said Virani.

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition is a 501(c)(3) organization offering statewide programs and services. Its programs reach diverse communities to deliver messages that address their unique concerns about breast cancer and early detection. Recognizing the barriers of language, culture, and economics, DBCC trains community advocates through its peer mentor program,  and works to help educate and encourage women and men to take responsibility for their health through breast health presentations and community health fairs. The coalition helps those with low incomes and those with little or no insurance receive free or reduced-cost care.

For more information, go to debreastcancer.org.