Inside Flatwater: Board Member Allison Watkins on Expanding Mental Health Access
"When cancer touches your family, it changes everything." For Allison Watkins, this understanding began literally at birth. Her father was diagnosed with testicular cancer shortly after she was born, setting in motion a family journey that would profoundly shape her life's work and eventually lead her to Flatwater's board of directors.
When Cancer Becomes Personal: Why Allison Fights for Mental Health
Cancer hasn't just touched Allison's life once—it's a thread woven throughout her family story. Beyond her father's initial diagnosis and later battle with kidney cancer, her brother is also a cancer survivor, and her grandmother faced breast cancer. Like the 1.9 million Americans diagnosed with cancer each year, Allison knows that cancer impacts not just the patient but entire families and support networks.
"Cancer affects the whole person—not just physically, but emotionally," Allison explains. "While medical teams focus on treating the disease, the mental health component is often overlooked or inaccessible because of cost. Yet this support is something every cancer patient and their family has earned through their difficult journey."
This firsthand understanding drives Allison's passion for Flatwater's mission: providing access to professional mental health therapy to those who have earned support through facing cancer's challenges.
A 20-Year Journey from Flatwater's Beginning to Board Leadership
Allison's connection to Flatwater traces back to its very origins. As a graduate student at The University of Texas at Austin in the early 2000s, she began working at what was then the Lance Armstrong Foundation (later Livestrong). There, she witnessed the birth of Dam That Cancer—the PR stunt that led to the inception of Flatwater and would ultimately become Flatwater’s premiere fundraising event. event that would eventually grow into Flatwater.
"I worked directly with Mark when the first 'Dam That Cancer' happened as a fundraiser while it was still under the umbrella of Livestrong," Allison recalls. She watched as founder Mark Garza developed his vision for an organization dedicated to providing mental health access to cancer patients and their families.
Though her career path took her through various nonprofit leadership roles—including 12 years at Livestrong and time with Austin Parks Foundation—Allison maintained close relationships with Flatwater's team, including Mark Garza, Chelsea Hardee, and Becky Morales. In early 2025, she officially joined Flatwater's board, making formal a connection that spans two decades.
Why Mental Health Support Matters: Filling a Critical Gap in Cancer Care
When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, an entire medical team mobilizes to treat their physical illness. But who helps with the overwhelming emotions, relationship challenges, and life disruptions that follow?
This critical gap is precisely where Flatwater steps in, offering:
- Access to professional therapy sessions at no cost to patients and families
- Support for the entire family unit, not just the patient
- Specialized care from therapists knowledgeable in cancer's emotional impact
- Transparent and simplified access to support, which can sometimes be a challenge in accessing mental health care
"There are so many organizations taking care of the physical health of individuals going through cancer," Allison notes. "But this idea of mental health support—especially when Mark first started the organization—was a novel concept."
Today, with greater awareness of mental health needs, Flatwater's role is more essential than ever, especially as insurance often doesn't adequately cover these specialized therapy needs.
Inside the Flatwater Forum: Building a Community of Care
One of Allison's first experiences as a new board member was attending the Flatwater Forum—an annual gathering of Flatwater therapy providers, referral partners, and board members. Collectively, this group collaborates to support Flatwater in delivering on its mission.
"It was really nice to have some face time with the therapists who are providing services to our constituents—they're the most important people," Allison shares. "They're amazing professionals dedicated to supporting people through cancer's emotional challenges."
This network of vetted therapy providers allows Flatwater to offer access to high-quality mental health care that truly makes a difference for families navigating cancer.
Looking Forward: Expanding Support for Austin's Growing Community
As a new board member who is now the COO of Giant Noise, a creative communications agency in Texas, Allison has a clear vision for helping Flatwater reach more people:
"As Austin has grown like crazy, there's always been a need for this type of support, but now it's even more critical. I think that's why I was asked to join the board—to help with marketing and communications so more people know about these services."
Allison is passionate about helping Flatwater expand its reach so that more people can benefit from its support. We are grateful for dedicated leaders like Allison, who help us continue our mission of ensuring that no one faces the emotional burden of cancer alone.
You Can Make a Difference
Do you want to help others receive this critical support? Your donation of $120 provides one therapy session for a family dealing with cancer. Donate today to make mental health care accessible to those who most need it.
