Government Relations and Advocacy Team
Christine Weason, Government Relations Director, North Carolina
Christine Weason is our new North Carolina Government Relations Director. She brings a unique combination of legislative, legal, campaign coordinating, and fundraising strengths to the American Cancer Society and ACS Cancer Action Network. Christine served three terms as a member in the Arizona House of Representatives where she developed a thorough understanding of the state budgetary process and was instrumental in spearheading millions of dollars for Alzheimers' and Parkinsons' research. She gained tremendous insight into parliamentary procedure and lobbying processes during her time in the legislature.
Christine is originally from Illinois and she graduated with a B.A. from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. She received her J.D. and graduated from Whittier College, School of Law in Los Angeles, CA and she moved to Arizona after law school. Christine relocated to Raleigh in May of 2002 and loves the diversity of the state. She is active in Schnauzer Rescue of the Carolinas, the US Humane Society and the Wake County SPCA. Christine has two rescued schnauzers, Shelby and Docker, and a rescued cockatiel, Prissy. She is also an avid scuba diver and enjoys experiencing the world below water's surface.
Christine has experienced the devastation of cancer and the harmful effects of tobacco through her close family. Her father passed away when he was 49 due to a smoking related illness and her partner is a cancer survivor. She knows the pain and suffering patients that families endure and believes our society deserves a healthy, vibrant cancer-free environment - with the help of volunteers who share this passion we will achieve this goal.
Laura Parkinson
Grassroots Manager for Eastern, NC
I am originally from Buffalo, NY, and yes they do get a lot of snow up there. After graduating high school I enlisted in the United States Air Force. I served for nine years and for a time was stationed in Goldsboro, NC. After I got out of the service I returned to Buffalo and worked for a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and completed my bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
In August of 2001 my grandmother died of lung cancer and the next month I accepted a position in Advocacy with the American Cancer Society in the New England Division. During my time there I had the pleasure of bringing Vermont's first Celebration on the Hill Ambassadors to Washington, D.C. I then moved on to serve as the Director of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Vermont. I was able to work on several successful campaigns, including a clean indoor air law which banned smoking in all work places including restaurants, bars and private clubs; two tobacco excise tax increases (they are currently at $1.99 per pack); as well as increased funding for tobacco control and prevention programs, establishment of smoke free prisons and foster care homes as well as the sale of only fires safe cigarettes.
I am excited to have returned to North Carolina for the southern hospitality, warmer weather and most importantly, the sweet tea! I look forward to meeting each of you and consider it an honor to be able to work with you in the fight against cancer.
Patti Bossert
Grassroots Manager for Western NC
I became involved with the American Cancer Society when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I first served as a volunteer in my home state of New York and then in Florida. In 1999 I joined ACS as a Grassroots Manager and worked on a variety of legislative issues with a focus on a statewide smoke-free air campaign.
I relocated to North Carolina in 2005 and accepted a grant funded position as the Smoke Free Air Outreach Coordinator for North and South Carolina. While serving in this role I assisted many groups in both states in developing local smoke-free air coalitions and continue to serve on many of them. I also developed Smoke Free Mecklenburg, the largest coalition of its kind in North Carolina.
I live in the Lake Norman area about 20 miles north of Charlotte, NC with my husband and nine year old son and a house full of pets. My hope for the future is that the smoke-free air law in NC can be expanded to cover all worksites and public places so that we can protect even more North Carolinians.
North Carolina Updates
North Carolina Campaigns
Unless specifically noted otherwise, the Society, and not ACS CAN, is conducting the activities described on this page.
