Sandra (Sandi) Stanford, a breast cancer advocate and an Affiliate Advocate member of AACR since 2014, died on August 29, 2026, at the age of 82.
A breast cancer patient herself for more than 20 years, Stanford was inspired to begin her work in advocacy by the mentors who supported her through her own diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
She first supported patients by answering calls on a breast cancer helpline. She eventually participated in the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Project LEAD program and the AACR Scientist↔Survivor Program® to expand her understanding of cancer biology and the science behind cancer treatment.
Stanford was a board member of the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation in San Antonio, Texas, serving as president in 2009-2011. She was a leader of the Alamo Advocate Program at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) and was co-creator of the Latino Cancer Patient Advocate Training Program at the Advancing The Science of Cancer in Latinos Conference.
She obtained a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1994 and worked for the USAA financial services company for 36 years, serving as the San Antonio area manager before retiring in 1999 and focusing on her advocacy work.
Her friends and colleagues at SABCS remembered her as “a pioneer in patient advocacy, a fierce leader, a mentor, and a dear friend to so many. For decades, Sandi championed the patient voice at SABCS, welcoming and mentoring advocates. Her impact on the breast cancer community is immeasurable.”
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