Erica Olenski

Erica Olenski was her son August’s primary caregiver after he was diagnosed with brain cancer as an infant. As Erica and August navigated battling his illness and complex medical challenges, Erica became an advocate for expanding access to advanced care. 

For example, traditional MRIs were unable to reliably distinguish between necrotic tumor tissue — tissue that had died due to disrupted blood flow — and active disease progression. These inaccuracies in August’s scans made it harder for clinicians to make informed care decisions, and sadly, August passed away last June from complications from a tumor hemorrhage. 

Now Erica is channeling the pain from her loss into helping others. In memory of her son, Erica founded August’s Artists, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting healing and recovery for patients and families through art. Her nonprofit provides art supplies to children’s hospitals to support children and advocates for family-centered care.  In addition to working with Right Scan Right Time, she is a board-certified patient advocate and an advocate with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, working to improve healthcare for children with serious illness and their families.

As an advocate for the passage of the Health Tech Investment Act, Erica is working to ensure that diagnostic technologies reach patients faster and benefit more families. 

You can join Erica by encouraging your lawmaker to support the Health Tech Investment Act by sending a letter here.