By Sharon Cook
I have lost my mother, grandmother, cousin, and my husband to cancer. Each loss reinforced that the “cure” to cancer is prevention and early detection. Studies consistently show that the earlier cancer is detected, the greater the chance for survival. That fact is what makes the work of the Prevent Cancer Foundation essential to reducing cancer fatalities.
The toll cancer has taken on my family is great. We feel it every holiday, birthday, wedding, or other special occasion. It’s what fuels my passion for supporting ways to make cancer prevention easier and more affordable for all.
In my own philanthropic journey, I have discovered that without passion for the mission, remaining dedicated to the cause is difficult. Passion is part of what keeps you committed to a goal, willing to do all you can to accomplish it. Donating to the Prevent Cancer Foundation and serving on its board of directors are in alignment with my personal mission of raising awareness that a cancer diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence.
I admire the passion and commitment of the Prevent Cancer Foundation team. They are creative, inclusive, and forward-thinking. They face the financial and political challenges of their work with grace and integrity, every single day. I credit this ethic to the Foundation’s founder, Bo Aldigé, a strong, determined, and knowledgeable leader whose own passion for ending cancer has personal ties similar to mine—Bo was compelled by the memory of her late father to start the Prevent Cancer Foundation nearly 40 years ago. The Foundation’s CEO, Jody Hoyos, has harnessed this passionate history and is working to usher in a new era of innovation. Her considerable experience in healthcare philanthropy and generational giving is a tremendous asset to making this possible.
As both a donor and board member, it’s important for me to find ways to communicate in a manner that touches both the current and future generations of donors and other supporters of the Foundation. Each group may have different priorities but are likely to be equally passionate about the mission.
As someone who knows firsthand the toll that being a caregiver for a cancer patient can take, it is meaningful to me that as a board member, I am helping spread the message of the dramatic emotional and financial savings that can be realized if we expand federal support for cancer prevention and early detection. Expanded screening leads to fewer cancers. Fewer cancers mean more resources are available to invest in innovative treatments and other ways to support care for patients and families. This is rewarding not just for me, but for everyone.
