Shirley Roberson

Shirley Roberson (1954-2022) was an artist and dedicated patient advocate with firsthand knowledge of the challenges that come with navigating serious illness. Ms. Roberson, who was living with stage IV cancer, shared an example of her experience in the “blue chair” story during a keynote session at the 2018 C-TAC Summit. When faced with a doctor who was not listening to her concerns, she instructed him to sit down in a nearby blue chair and ask her what she would like to discuss. Ms. Roberson has been featured by the Karmanos Cancer Institute as a model for patients with advanced breast cancer, and she was frequently sought after to participate in groups and retreats for cancer survivors.

A beloved member of the CAPC Project Equity Steering Committee, Shirley passed away January 27, 2002.