Allison became a member of the To Life! community in January of 2025 following 20 years in higher education and academic medicine. Allison received her PhD in Gerontology and Aging Studies at the University of South Florida, then accepted a 2-years Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at the Center for Palliative Care at Duke University/the Durham VA Medical Center. She spent the next 6 years in the Department of Behavioral Science at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she focused on behavioral aspects of hereditary cancer treatment.
In 2013, Allison joined the faculty at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS), achieving tenure as Associate Professor of Behavioral Medicine. At ACPHS, she helped to build and lead their CEPH-accredited public health program and held a variety of leadership roles, including serving for 2 years as Chair of the Department of Population Health Sciences. Allison’s leadership also extends to various roles at the local and national levels, including her current service as Secretary-Treasurer of the American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO).
Allison and her family have lived in Delmar for more than 10 years.
Jamie joined To Life! in October 2021. She brings over 15 years of development, fundraising and event planning experience, working with many local not for profits. As a strong community advocate, Jamie has served on quite a few boards and many event planning committees; including the Associate Board at St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation and Big Brother Big Sisters of the Capital Region. Jamie and her Jamie Updated photo snipped.PNGhusband, Will, co-hosted the Coaches vs. Cancer BasketBall event for 15 years. She is very excited to help To Life! continue to thrive and to cultivate new relationships, as well as nurture existing ones.
She and her husband live in Latham with their two sons.
Tasha Ostapczuk joined To Life! in October 2023, in the role of Program Manager. Tasha has worked closely with the Capital Region community through organizations such as Cancer Services Program, Unlimited Care, Inc., Fidelis and Girl Scouts of Northeastern NY. She has well rounded event and programming experience. She appreciates building relationships and networking, both in business and personally, to be the best resource possible to the community. In addition to her full-time career, Tasha freelances as a mindful meditation guide and face painter. She lives in Saratoga Springs.
Dana joined To Life! in January 2023 as the Program Support Specialist. Having completed her MSW from the University at Albany, she has been a volunteer support group facilitator for the American Cancer Society’s Hope Club since 2015. Dana manages the Newly Diagnosed and In Treatment support group, along with connecting our survivors through the To Life! Peer Mentoring program.
Dana lives in Ballston Spa with her husband and two children.
Gina joined To Life! in April 2024 as Administrative Coordinator and in January 2025 was promoted to Office and Boutique Manager. Gina comes to To Life! with over 20 years experience in the medical community. Gina manages all boutique fitting locations, handles incoming phone calls, appointments, insurance claims and more.
Gina lives in Greene County with her husband and two children.
Carmen started work as a Breast Health Educator in 2010 through a grant partnership with the Centro Civico organization with focus in the Hispanic/Latina population in Montgomery, Fulton and Schenectady County. Carmen’s educational background includes certification as an Early Childhood Teacher, Pharmacy Technician and as a Certified Medical Interpreter. Carmen joined the staff of To Life! in the spring of 2020 and continues to manage one-on-one and group support and education for the community on a part time basis. She also has a Data/Case Manager position with Cancer Services Program of Fulton, Montgomery & Schenectady Counties.
My name is Karen Fortsch CFm, I have gone through my own cancer journey, including two kinds of breast cancer with a double mastectomy and reconstruction. I have never been shy to help others navigate through theirs. We may all experience different signs and symptoms along with treatments. My journey with breast cancer started in 2013 and began volunteering for To Life in 2014, so when I was asked to become a certified mastectomy fitter, I jumped at the chance saying-now I know what I’m going to do with the rest of my life. I want to give others the support, confidence, and strength to feel better and if they choose to go with prosthesis and needed bras along with surgical garments or need of lymphedema compression garments. I love nothing more than to help them feel confident with themselves and have symmetry. I am honored to join Albany Medical Center seeing their patients 6 to 8 weeks from recovery.
The recovery is a process, and hopefully I can get them through one of the steps with dignity.
See Karen’s contact information below to schedule an appointment.
Alice proudly joined To Life! in January 2019 as a wig fitter in our Delmar Office. Alice has been a licensed cosmetologist for over 30 years, spending the last 20 years at her current salon, Scissor Society in Delmar, NY. Throughout her career as a professional stylist, she has taught future professionals at both Austin Beauty School in Albany and Paul Mitchell: The School in Schenectady.
Alice combines years of experience with a passion for helping women. She uses her mastery of her trade and her warm spirit to support every client, ensuring they leave the boutique feeling beautiful, confident and proud.
See Alice’s contact information below to schedule an appointment.
Valerie Chippa joined To Life! in December 2025, as a certified mastectomy fitter and Boutique Associate at the Amsterdam and Saratoga Springs locations. Valerie holds a degree in Social Sciences and has a background in retail/kitchen and bath design, real estate, and project management. She also holds a degree in architectural CAD drafting. As you can see, she comes to us with a wealth of broad experience and knowledge and an artist’s eye, which she brings to her work.
Valerie volunteers with Fresh Table Food Pantry and the Christmas Concert Presented by Wildwood. And, for more than 5 years, she served as a Board Member for Catskill Housing. Valerie enjoys traveling and loves spending time with family, friends, and her five sweet grandchildren.
See Valerie’s contact information below to schedule an appointment.
Natalie joined To Life! in November 2024. You may recognize the name as Natalie continues to own and operate her women’s clothing and hat store, ‘Saratoga Trunk, Lady’s Finery,’ in downtown Saratoga Springs. Dressing women from all over the country, Capital Region and Saratoga, Natalie brings a gentle, fun and respectful touch to ladies of every shape and size with the desired result of instilling confidence, comfort and excitement for each lady to feel beautiful.
In Natalie’s early years with ‘The Trunk’, she worked closely with renowned milliner, Eric Javits, and introduced his ‘Wig Hat’ – soft ‘Squishee Hats with Hair’, which soon became quite popular with women undergoing chemo. Natalie brings her unique gift of helping all women feel their best as they manage through the challenges of hair loss, in search of a fabulous and enjoyable transformation.
See Natalie’s contact information below to schedule an appointment.
Sue joined To Life! as Community Outreach Coordinator in 2018 after starting to volunteer in 2014. She actively works in the community to foster relationships and build awareness about the support and educational services offered by To Life! and the importance of early breast cancer detection and treatment.
