— Tim Neptune
She’s a cancer survivor. She’s a cancer research advocate. And she’s an empathetic caregiver. Sheri Albert wears all of these titles with pride. Now she’s taking her mission back to the pickleball courts, this time for VeloSano Florida for the Cure.
After overcoming her own breast cancer diagnosis, Sheri has made it her purpose to raise awareness, support others and champion the importance of cancer research. At Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, she brings that same dedication to her role as a caregiver and mentor, guiding patients through challenges she understands firsthand.
“When a cancer patient comes in, I always tell them, ‘The day you were diagnosed is the day you became a survivor,’” says Sheri, a certified medical assistant who also mentors newly diagnosed breast cancer patients through the 4th Angel Mentoring Program. Her words carry weight — because she’s lived them.
Eight years ago, after a routine mammogram came back clear, it was an ultrasound that revealed the truth: invasive lobular carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ. Sheri says she owes her life to the expert care of Zeina Nahleh, MD, FACP1, hematology oncologist, and Cassann Blake, MD, breast surgical oncologist.
“I’m so thankful for Dr. Nahleh and Dr. Blake,” says Sheri. “And I’m grateful for the technology that we have for preventative care because if I didn’t have the breast ultrasound, five years later, it might have been a whole different story.”
Sheri is a firm believer that philanthropy drives cancer research forward. She has long supported fundraising efforts for cancer initiatives, and now she’s turning her attention to VeloSano Florida for the Cure, combining her passion for giving back with her love of pickleball.
“I’m really committed to the philanthropy side of this, because without funding, we can’t find cures,” says Sheri. “I’m super excited for the event, and I love that we’re not just playing a game — we’re using a great sport to bring awareness to cancer research. And let’s face it, I’m a pickleball player, so this is the perfect fit.”
Having lost her father and dear friends to cancer, Sheri has turned that grief into a powerful drive to support research and help save lives.
“Cancer doesn’t discriminate,” says Sheri. “It doesn’t matter what shape you are, what color you are or what your religion is. You have to have initiatives like VeloSano because if you don’t have research, you don’t have cures.”
100% For The Cure
