A much coveted award from CancerCare

Charity work has always been an important part of my life.  Why? Because I strongly believe in giving back.  This past April my charity work was recognized when I became one of three honorees to receive CancerCare’s “Hope Award.” This presentation took place during their annual auction/gala which was held at New York City’s Ziegfeld Theater. The event, attended by 400 guests, raised 1.1 million dollars, a record for the organization. An award was given to each three women, all trustees— Susan Smirnoff, Christine Converse Hogan, and me—in recognition of our dedication, advocacy, and volunteer work over multiple decades. The award was presented by board president, Michael Parisi.

CancerCare is a national, non-profit organization with provides free counseling and financial aid to people fighting cancer as well as their families.  Last year, CancerCare provided $76 million in financial assistance to 31,000 people for living expenses such as transportation and other practical needs.  Additionally, CancerCare provided 186,600 services—in-person, over the phone or via the internet--to people affected by cancer serving clients with 102 different types of cancer in all 50 states. For more information, please go to www.CancerCare.org. 

What follows is my acceptance speech at the gala. 

 It is a great honor to stand up here tonight with Susan and Christine, two of my favorite people. Not only have I known these extraordinary women as fellow trustees for years but also as long-standing neighbors.  In fact, I watched Susan’s children grow up from being in strollers to now having children of their own. And, I’ve had many an animated conversation about life with Christine and reveled in seeing her fall in love and marry her handsome husband, Paul.

All three of us came to CC via a different path. My first encounter with CC thirty years ago was as a gala attendee much like many of you first-timers here tonight. That evening I learned about their social services and how they impacted the lives of so many people dealing with cancer.  It spoke to me on a very personal level as my sister had just been diagnosed with breast cancer.  

Eventually, I was invited to join the gala committee and soon brought along my late husband Ed Lauber on the journey. Before long, we were both trustees and in fact, chaired this gala three times! Or was it four times? Fast forward and now I’m the eminence grise on the gala committee and have no intention of ever leaving!

Ed and I could never say “no” to the people at CC.  Their enthusiasm, professional dedication, and friendship were seductive.  Over the years, the organization became part of our family and we of theirs. We were so taken with their important work helping people deal with the devastating realities of cancer that we decided to seriously commit as a couple to this one organization. Why? Not just because we enjoyed being involved with the people at CC, but also because Ed and I wholeheartedly supported their mission.

No one debates the importance of cancer research. However, CC’s true value and what sets it apart is that it takes over from the scientific, medical research side of the struggle.  As advocates for the human side for clients, as well as their caregiving families, CC helps people live and thrive while fighting the disease. It also offers an invaluable service with its grievance counseling, as that, too, is part of cancer’s reality.  

I know this firsthand as both Ed and I, as well as our family and friends, have been the beneficiaries of CC’s remarkable social services over the years. Sadly, no one escapes cancer.

The second reason for supporting their work is that Ed and I wanted to leave a positive legacy for our children encouraging them to support a charity or cause meaningful to them as they became adults. We felt it was invaluable to teach by example.  They needed to know that the benefits of volunteerism and philanthropy are tangible, no matter how large or small your contributions of time, talent, and/or money might be.

As one of my close friends likes to say, “Philanthropy touches life in a universal way as an expression of human dignity. It is a gateway from our pocketbooks to our souls.”  And then, there’s another secret which I don’t need to tell you about because we’ve all experienced it here tonight.  Simply put: Giving makes you feel good.  Right?

There are respected medical studies that have shown that giving money to deserving souls and organizations triggers the brain’s dopamine-rich reward system. It’s that same part of the brain that lights up when you eat a piece of delicious cake, listen to exquisite music, or engage in other satisfying activities. These feel-good chemicals can be addictive.  Some even call it a “helper’s high.”  But that’s not all. Other studies have shown that philanthropy and volunteerism are linked to happiness, better physical health and increased mental well-being. So, what’s the downside of being generous?

With this rhetorical question just magically resolved, please know that whichever charity you choose to support—and we recognize there are many worthy ones—you are always welcome at the CC table as a member of our family. Am I not correct, Trish?

In conclusion, I would like to thank my family and friends for flying in from all over the country—and even making the arduous trek from New Jersey.

I am deeply humbled by this honor. Thank you CancerCare from the bottom of my heart.

And now, it gives me pleasure to turn the microphone over to my good friend, neighbor, fellow trustee, and past CC board president, Susan Smirnoff.