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Who We Are

“ACCOI” stands for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Organization International. We were founded in 2000 to support individuals affected by Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC), a rare head and neck cancer.

Our Mission

ACCOI is dedicated to ensuring those impacted by ACC are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by community, and supported throughout their journey.

Our Services

To fulfill our mission, we:

Host virtual and in-person gatherings 

Provide virtual support groups via Facebook and Google 

Offer virtual patient support and resources via phone and email 

Share resources and information pertaining to different communities, including newly diagnosed patients, veteran survivors, caregivers and families

Maintain a list of physicians who are knowledgeable about ACC 

2022 - Present
Pascale Reich

Pascale Reich, currently serves as the fourth president of ACCOI. As a long time board member, Pascale felt the calling to support those affected by ACC. Today, ACCOI is strengthening their presence in the medical cancer community, in online cancer communities, and within the ACC patient community. We have launched a newsletter and a new website and are reconvening face to face patient support events following Covid shutdowns. We are hosting virtual meetings with ACC expert speakers. We are continually expanding our physician list and connections with other non-profits working with rare and salivary cancers. We keep abreast of research and support and encourage those who are working to find a cure to ACC. Please consider supporting the work of ACCOI by going to our “donate” button and making a contribution today.

2012
Tom Curry

Tom Curry led ACCOI as the third president, from 2012 until his retirement in 2022. 

2009
Dan Dube

Dan Dube’ became the 2nd president of ACCOI in 2009. He had been a long time ACC survivor and very active with ACCOI in helping other patients. Dan recruited a new Board of Directors and carried on the legacy that Prudence had begun. Dan’s energy and passion was instrumental in growing ACCOI to the organization it is today.

2003
Register the organization as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation

Prudence took legal steps to register the organization as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in order to provide a mechanism for tax deductible donations to help fund research. Prudence led fundraising efforts for research, utilizing the services of NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.) as well as supporting several self-funded research projects. Though progress was slow, it was the beginning of awareness for the ACC community that we were the people with the most to gain by pressing the research community to seek a cure for ACC. Because ACC is so rare, large cancer organizations have not typically provided funds or effort for ACC research. 

2000
The Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Organization International was formed

The Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Organization International was formed in 2000 by Prudence Jackson, an ACC survivor from San Diego California. Prudence was passionate about helping others who were dealing with this rare cancer. She created and monitored an Online Support Group and developed an information-rich website for the ACC community.

Meet the Board

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Pascale Reich

President
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Caitlin Deis

Director, Marketing & Communications
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Michael Groove

Secretary
stuart

Stuart Klein

Director
helen

Helen Hsieh

Director

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Find Your Community

Over the years many ACC survivors have found our 4000+ member ACCOI Online support group to be helpful in connecting with others. We also have an ACCOI FaceBook page for family and friends to connect with other ACC survivors.

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Mailing Address

  • P.O. Box 460533 San Francisco
    CA 94146

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Pascale Reich

President

Pascale began her professional career working for the American Red Cross Biomedical Division. She joined the Los Angeles Region as a community outreach representative working to educate and motivate others to join the community blood program. She worked with corporate and religious organizations and their leaders, media, entertainment and broadcasting industries in the hopes of meeting the blood supply needs in over 50 regional hospitals. In 1990 she moved to San Francisco to work for Blood Centers of the Pacific, now known as Valalant. Her work included managing the marketing activities, call center and project management of software development/enhancements and on-line systems. After earning her BS in International Marketing from CSU-Fullerton, she has enjoyed a successful career in the health-care and the non-profit sector and strongly believes in volunteering in the community.

Pascale and her family’s life made a dramatic shift in August of 2010 when her mother was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma. When challenged with finding little information from the medical establishment, her family was fortunate to find support from those at ACCOI. The ACC community provided a wealth of information and guidance when desperately needed. This experience sparked her passion to advocate for others in the hopes of providing education, awareness and resources.

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Caitlin Deis

Director, Marketing & Communications

Caitlin Deis has worked in higher education for 12 years, ranging from residence life, academic advising, and career services. She currently works for an academic medical center supporting the career and professional development of graduate and professional students. Caitlin earned her bachelors in Marketing, a masters in Higher Education and she is currently working on a PhD in Higher Education.

Caitlin lives in Texas with her husband, Jeremy, who is a ACC thriver and laryngectomy. 

“To me, ACCOI means community. I’m honored to be the wife of an amazing ACC thriver and through ACCOI we’ve built a community of support and understanding. We’ve been inspired, cheered for and comforted during this journey and I hope to give that back to others.”

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michael Groove

Secretary

Michael is a recently retired educator who worked in public education for 33 years, primarily at the high school level, as a teacher, principal, district level administrator, and, ultimately, superintendent. He believes in the power of learning and education, formal or otherwise, to make positive change in our world. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in English from California State University, Chico, a master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of San Diego, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of California, Los Angeles and Irvine (joint program).

“In 2013, my life changed drastically when I was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. As I struggled to learn about and find doctors with expertise in this rare disease, I came across ACCOI and it was, and still is, an invaluable resource to me. In ACCOI, I found a community and network of support among other ACCOI patients who understood my journey and I found a wealth of information that helps to inform and guide my healthcare decision-making as I continue my ongoing battle with this pernicious disease. I joined the ACCOI board in order to help support an organization that has given so much to me and other ACC patients and family members“

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Stuart Klein

Consultant

Stuart Klein is a management consultant and project manager. He has worked nationally and internationally with manufacturing and financial institutions evaluating and developing processes and procedures. As an owner of a consulting practice, he develops strategies for companies to harness technology to improve operational efficiency and bottom-line performance. Most recently as consultant and COO, he is leading a Medical University to improved operations, profitability and academic accreditation. Stuart earned his MBA in Finance.

Stuart has served as 1st Lieutenant in the US Army Corps of Engineers with an Honorable Discharge. He currently lives in New Jersey with his wife, Sharon, who is a long-term survivor of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.

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Helen Hsieh

Financial Consultant

Helen Hsieh brings financial expertise to her role as Chief Financial Officer at ALA, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing and supportive services to low-income seniors in Los Angeles County. In addition to a career in the not-for-profit sector, Helen worked in the commercial banking industry forecasting net interest income in the bank’s asset-liability management group and in the capacity of Domestic Funding Operations Manager, supervised a staff of 12 in the corporate treasury department responsible for $4 billion in daily financial transactions and worked for two years in New York City with a group of economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of NY, Bank Supervision Division.

Helen earned a master’s degree from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a B.A in economics from Simmons College in Boston, MA. She currently lives in California.

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