Who We Are

Our History


2022
Robyn's Nest donations started at Bingo for Boobies, Queen Creek.
2019
Mammograms funded.  At Bingo for Boobies in 2019, funds were raised to begin a free mammogram program for women with little or no insurance.
2016
First annual golf tournament and First annual Bingo for Boobies.
2015
Hope Sister program begins. When a bag is requested, a Hope Sister will contact the recipient.  The Hope Sister makes a personal visit to the recipient and reminds her she will not be in this fight alone. The Hope Sister gifts her the bag and is available to answer questions while providing comfort and support during the recipient's cancer fight.
2012
MHB received 501(c)(3) and presents first annual Breast Cancer Resource Expo, the only event of its kind in the entire southwestern United States.
2011
My Hope Bag begins… just a family trying to bring HOPE into their community.
2009
Sarah diagnosed with breast cancer.

Founder of My Hope Bag

My family and I founded My Hope Bag after my own journey with breast cancer. While experiencing my journey, I felt a need for women to receive a bag of hope when experiencing their own journey. It is my heartfelt desire to help answer questions, give comfort, encourage others, and help lighten their load while facing the fight of their life.

My Hope Bag has reached out to more than 2,500 women and their families since its inception. Every bag of HOPE delivered means one more person knows that she is loved and cared about by someone who understands what she is going through. My Hope Bag’s Hope Sister program trains other survivors to be able to reach out to women with a bag of HOPE and comfort.

I have over 40 years of professional experience and have always enjoyed helping others. Being a wife, mother, and grandmother has been the biggest enjoyment of my life. My happy place is with my children, my dog, and my grand dogs. My vision for My Hope Bag is to open a Respite Center so women, and men, can gather with others during their breast cancer journey to hope and heal together.

Our Leadership Team

Kristín Ólafs, MBA, CSEP

Being a Hope Sister and Board Member means a lot to me—I never want anyone to feel alone during their journey.

Linda Vuolo

I truly felt that the upside to my cancer was to know that My Hope Bag existed and I had to be a part of it to give back to other women who needed it.

Jenny MacPherson

Jenny MacPherson’s creative and passionate spirit with inspiration and motivation to help others, is a dedicated community leader and nonprofit strategist with a heart for service.

Lizzy Phillips

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‎I will never forget the day my dad and I sat in my mom’s doctor appointment and the doctor uttered, “You have breast cancer.”
‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎
‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

In Memoriam

Alissa Serignese

Alissa joined My Hope Bag after meeting her through a local women’s networking group in July 2020.

Brian Ellery

We lost the most amazing man, Brian Ellery, on March 7, 2023. Brian would affectionately introduce himself to people as “The Man Behind the Woman”.

Robyn Zepeda

Robyn Zepeda received her angel wings on May 15, 2022, after such a strong fight against cancer.