The Cancer Foundation for New Mexico Announces New Board Chair Karen B. Freeman

The Cancer Foundation for New Mexico Announces New Board Chair Karen B. Freeman

Santa Fe, NM – July 26, 2024 – The Cancer Foundation for New Mexico (CFFNM) a local nonprofit organization, elected Karen B. Freeman as Chairperson of the board of directors in June 2024, succeeding Bunny Terry.

Since 2002, the Cancer Foundation has helped save lives by removing barriers to treatment for cancer patients throughout northern New Mexico so that they can access treatment in Santa Fe.  The organization provides help with lodging, travel expenses, and grocery expenses, allowing patients to access healthy food and feed their families during treatment.  The Cancer Foundation also provides volunteers in the treatment centers, many of whom are themselves cancer survivors.  And there are support groups for patients, caregivers, and survivors.

Ms. Freeman has been associated with the Cancer Foundation for New Mexico in various capacities for the past 13 years.  She worked on marketing for the organization and helped manage and grow the Sweetheart Auction, the very popular annual fundraiser held each February.  She joined the board of directors in 2023.

“I am truly honored to work with such a great organization to provide much-needed help to cancer patients in northern New Mexico,” says Ms. Freeman. “Anyone who has been on a cancer journey knows that medical costs are only one of the stressors.  How are you going to get to Santa Fe for a week of treatment?  Where will you stay?  How will you feed your family if you can’t work?  We help people deal with these issues.  And the support groups are critical.  As a former caregiver, I know how important it is to not feel alone on a journey whose end you don’t know.”   

Ms. Freeman earned a B.A. from Cornell University and an MBA from the London Business School.  She worked in consumer-packaged goods marketing for companies such as Bristol-Myers, Chesebrough-Pond’s, and L’Oreal before starting her own marketing consulting company in 1995.  Prior to moving to Santa Fe in 2002, Ms. Freeman was board president of the Domestic Violence Crisis Center in Stamford, CT.  After moving to Santa Fe, she served on the boards and became board president of Assistance Dogs of the West, the Tano Road Association, and MIAC/Friends of Indian Art.  She is one of the founders of Native Treasures, an annual art show that benefits the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.  She also served on the board of the Museum of New Mexico Foundation.