Cancer Survivorship and Prosthetics

Woodrow "Woody" Brokenburr, MBA

Meet Woodrow "Woody" Brokenburr, MBA – a cancer survivor, advocate, and champion for health equity. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 9 in the 1960s, Woody faced the challenges of pediatric cancer care during an era of limited treatment options and racial segregation in the American South. With effective chemotherapy treatments yet to be developed, amputation was the primary solution.

Throughout his recovery, Woody's family played a crucial role, and their unwavering support has inspired him to dedicate more than 60 years to advocating for cancer patients. His lifelong commitment has contributed significantly to improving access to care and the quality of care for those affected by cancer.

Presently, Woody serves as the President of Community Conscience in the City of Thousand Oaks, CA. He is a firm believer in enhancing health outcomes for people of color by increasing access to care provided by those who share similar backgrounds and experiences. To this end, Woody has been actively involved with the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA’s Minority Training Program in Cancer Control Research.

In addition to his work with UCLA, Woody has held various roles as a patient advocate at the Los Robles Medical Center, a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee at the American Cancer Society and Stand Up to Cancer’s Translational Lung Cancer Research collaborative, and as Chair Emeritus – Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. He has also contributed to committees such as the American Cancer Society’s Extramural Grants Council and peer review committees. Currently he is servicing on Stakeholder and Curriculum Core of the I-REACH (Infrastructure in Equity, Aging, Cancer, and Health) initiative at Georgetown University, Community Scientist at Cedars-Sinai and Convergence Science Virtual Caner Committee (CSVCC) at USC.

Woody's passion for raising awareness about cancer survivorship and equity in cancer care extends to his writings. As an active writer, he has published his perspectives in notable publications such as Onco’Zine, Survivorship Today, and CURE Magazine. Furthermore, he has participated in panel discussions and interviews with esteemed organizations like the Rotary Clubs, the American Cancer Society, and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS).

Woody's dedication to education and community involvement is evident through his active membership in the NCCS Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) and the NCCS Elevating Survivorship program. He emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, fostering empathy for those with metastatic cancer, and reducing treatment's negative impact.

Outside of his professional and advocacy work, Woody enjoys writing, collecting art, listening to music, foreign travel, studying languages, and practicing Sumi-e, the Japanese art of ink brush painting. As a proud father of three adult children, he continues to inspire and improve the lives of cancer patients and survivors, embodying the spirit of resilience and dedication.