MDS is a bone marrow failure disorder
MDS is a blood cancer
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The MDS Foundation Staff
  • Tracey Iraca
  • Tracey Iraca
    Executive Director

    Tracey joined the MDS Foundation in 2004 as a part-time Patient Coordinator, assisting with patient education programs. As Executive Director, Tracey now oversees all daily business activities, including finances, staffing, and projects to support the mission of MDSF. She works with the MDSF Board of Directors on strategic planning for meeting the ongoing needs of MDS patients and healthcare professionals. Tracey manages the corporate grants program and is responsible for all corporate relations, organizational partnerships, and new business development.


  • Tanya Rhodes
    Director of Development

    Tanya joined the MDS Foundation in 2022 to oversee the development and fundraising needs of the organization. She develops and implements effective fundraising initiatives to increase overall short and long-term donations to the MDS Foundation, including major and planned gifts. Tanya works in conjunction with the organization’s Development Board, Board of Directors, Medical and Scientific Advisory Board, internal MDSF team, and external patient and family volunteers to identify and cultivate relationships with prospects and donors, identify potential grant opportunities, and secure donations to carry out the mission and vision of the foundation to make potentially curative therapies available for all patients with MDS. Tanya also assists the marketing team with the organization’s branding and public relations strategies.


  • Audrey Ann Hassan
    Patient Liaison

    Audrey joined the MDS Foundation nineteen years ago as the Patient Liaison. She came to the MDS Foundation with over 14 years’ experience in patient services working in the Medical Affairs Department of a leading pharmaceutical company. Her primary role is to provide international support to patients, families, and caregivers touched by MDS. Whether it is face-to-face or by telephone or email, Audrey responds to questions regarding MDS, including information on treatment options, clinical trials, financial assistance, as well as providing patients with a priority referral to any MDS Center of Excellence worldwide.


  • Lea Harrison
    Senior Project Manager, Professional Education

    Lea joined the Foundation in 2001. Lea manages all aspects of professional education including CME and Non-CME educational programs, live symposia, podcasts, educational meetings and our biennial international MDS congress. She also coordinates our Young Investigator Grant program. In addition to her professional education responsibilities, Lea is also responsible for several patient educational projects such as Knowledge is Power, MDS & MDSF mobile apps, Building Blocks of Hope® as well as translation of our educational resources.


  • Janice Butchko
    Senior Project Manager, Patient Community

    Janice joined the Foundation in 2008 and is primarily responsible for enhancing communications with our patient community regarding registration for patient events and coordination of philanthropic support through her organization and management of our contact database. Janice is responsible for the coordination, quality control, and production of printed and electronic Foundation materials; she manages the patient educational initiatives executed by our MDS Foundation International Nurse Leadership Board; and is the Secretary for our Board of Directors.


  • Deborah (Dee) Murray
    Administrative Support

    Dee joined the Foundation in 2005. Dee manages the Foundation’s exhibit shipment needs, is responsible for patient information requests as well as donation acknowledgement correspondence, ensuring all communications are delivered in a timely manner. Dee is also responsible for administrative bookkeeping services.


  • Madelyn Geltch
    Community Outreach Manager

    Madelyn joined the MDS Foundation in 2020 to assist with enhancing our community outreach initiatives. Madelyn oversees the planning and implementation of outreach strategies through a variety of programs including grassroots fundraising, direct mail, social media, events and workplace giving. She is primarily responsible for connecting people in the broader community by cultivating relationships with individuals, businesses, and other relevant organizations. Madelyn focuses on public relations, volunteer relations, and fundraising and is responsible for a variety of tasks, from data collection and analysis to organizing media events. Madelyn holds a BFA from Syracuse University, College of Visual and Performing Arts.

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