Jose Ortiz Joins Abdominal Cancers Alliance Advisory Committee

The Mesothelioma Center’s Jose Ortiz has been invited to join the Abdominal Cancers Alliance Partner Advisory Committee. This new committee formed to empower and connect the abdominal cancers community. Jose will serve as the voice for peritoneal mesothelioma.

The Abdominal Cancers Alliance is a patient-focused nonprofit. It connects patients and caregivers to information, resources and specialists for advanced gastrointestinal and gynecologic cancers. The ACA launched just a year and a half ago under the leadership of Dr. Armando Sardi, a respected surgical oncologist and pioneer in the field of peritoneal surface malignancies.

As part of medical outreach since 2013, Jose Ortiz is a VA-accredited claims agent and dedicated member of our Patient Advocate team. He also belongs to several oncology organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. His vast experience in the mesothelioma space makes him a natural fit for this new role.

What the Partner Advisory Committee Does

The Partner Advisory Committee will gather representatives of various organizations quarterly to share unique perspectives, set priorities and improve education for people with abdominal cancers. Each organization brings a different area of expertise to the table. Jose will represent The Mesothelioma Center and focus on the needs of people diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma.

“The goal is to bring coordination to the work that we’re all doing in the peritoneal space,” Jose tells us. “That means improving awareness of the realities of these advanced cancers and improving navigation to specialized care.” He says these collaborative efforts add up to something meaningful for people diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Other organizations joining the committee include PMP Pals Inc., Appendix Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Research Foundation and Novartis. Together, the group aims to cover the full range of abdominal cancers the ACA serves. The committee will also review the ACA’s current work and offer guidance on how to better serve patients and their families. 

ACA’s Living Proof Event

The ACA will host its Living Proof event on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Crown Hall at Guilford Hall Brewery in Baltimore, Maryland. Mesothelioma Center contributor and peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Tamron Little will take the stage to share her personal experiences and insights.

Doctors diagnosed Tamron with peritoneal mesothelioma at age 21, and she has spent years advocating for fellow patients and shares her story to inspire hope in others. Her participation in the Living Proof event reflects the shared mission of The Mesothelioma Center and the ACA to show patients that life after diagnosis is possible.

Living Proof centers on abdominal cancer survivors who share their stories and showcase their talents on stage. The event aims to change a harmful misconception: that a diagnosis of a rare or advanced abdominal cancer isn’t survivable. The ACA believes that sharing these stories saves lives. The evening runs from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. and features dinner, beverages and performances.

The Mesothelioma Center’s Relationship With the ACA

The Mesothelioma Center has worked closely with the ACA for more than a year. We’re the first and only mesothelioma organization to actively collaborate with the ACA since its founding. That work has included sponsoring the ACA’s golf tournament, creating peritoneal mesothelioma content for their website and holding regular calls with ACA leadership.

Jose and the medical outreach team have also worked to connect surgical oncologists to the ACA, encouraging them to offer it as a resource with The Mesothelioma Center. The two organizations share a similar mission: helping patients find the specialists and support they need. Jose says the relationship with the ACA reflects the trust The Mesothelioma Center has built in the abdominal cancer community.

The ACA’s website and Asbestos.com both feature peritoneal mesothelioma specialists, offering resources to find experienced physicians and connect with support. Jose says having that overlap strengthens the network available to people facing a peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis.

What This Means for Mesothelioma Patients

An invitation to join this committee recognizes The Mesothelioma Center’s role in the peritoneal cancer community. Jose says it’s also a chance to make sure mesothelioma patients don’t get lost in conversations focused on more common abdominal cancers. His presence on the committee keeps peritoneal mesothelioma front and center.

“It’s an honor to have been asked to serve on this committee,” Jose shares. “I look forward to helping represent The Mesothelioma Center on behalf of patients and helping create ways to eliminate barriers to care for patients and their loved ones.” That commitment reflects the same mission that has guided The Mesothelioma Center’s work for more than a decade.

The committee will hold its first meeting in May 2026. Jose says he’s ready to bring the perspective of mesothelioma patients and their families to every conversation the group has.