Our Team
Lisa Roesner
I’m Lisa Roesner. And here’s my story.
In April of 2021, we had an early Spring so I decided to sit outside with my coffee. As amazing as the warmth felt after winter, I also sensed my asthma kicking in. Or so I thought. I went to my doctor for my annual dose of steroids. When I went back for my check-up, my doctor was concerned because there was no improvement. He sent me for a chest CT scan that day, May 27th—my 50th birthday. After the results, I went back to see him. Everything on that paper terrified me. Words like lymph node. Lesions on liver. On lungs. Ending with "recommend PET scan".
I had to find a pulmonary doctor and fast, because I couldn’t take a deep breath. In June, I was still calling every pulmonologist in the area. The nearest appointment I could find was in September! We decided to go to RUSH in Chicago after I already made an appointment. I was admitted on July 19th and diagnosed on July 20th with stage IV lung cancer. I remember being shocked, confused and angry. I didn't even smoke!
The next week my DNA markers confirmed that it was ALK-POSITIVE Small Cell Lung Cancer. And that was my sad introduction to something I never even knew existed. And here’s my dream: to eradicate ALK. And live.
Robbie Vasquez
Lisa’s brother, Robbie, has had a unique journey—over 30 years in music, entertainment and a successful advertising career. Now, he’s singularly focused on leading Lisa’s Rainbow to drive awareness and raise large amounts of money to help fund research and other families affected by ALK. He has a strong belief in the sanctity of family, understanding that when the family is in trouble, you stop everything and take on the situation full force.
Robbie is laser focused on using every asset and connection he has accumulated over his career to help drive this mission and build a kickass team for as long as he is physically able. Period.
Rick Coffee
Rick Coffee grew up in an American Steel family in Northwest Indiana, and realized that powerful story telling was a craft that would never become obsolete. He brings more than 25 years of big ideas and dynamic stories for great brands in the world of marketing and advertising. "Rainbows are bigger than Kermit the Frog or a bag of Skittles. They're bridges we're building from Lisa's dreams, and we're going to use them as multi-colored laser beams that leave no room for darkness as patients and families equip themselves to fight cancer like they're in the steel cage."