Cancer Support Community - Joan Lardner Paul
Posted by Joan Lardner Paul
on May 03, 2016
We are pleased to introduce Joan Lardner Paul, one of our current board members and a long-standing supporter, and thank her for her editorial contribution in this newsletter edition.
Even before there was an official organization here to help people living with cancer, my late husband David and I knew we wanted to be involved—as advocates, volunteers and donors. We participated in the early discussions about bringing such an organization to the greater Lehigh Valley to serve thousands of neighbors affected by cancer. For more than a decade now, The Cancer Support Community of the Greater Lehigh Valley (CSGGLV) has offered a wide variety of programs that address and alleviate the concerns of cancer patients, and all services are free.
Even though we all know someone touched by cancer, somehow first hearing your own diagnosis is a complete shock: stress, anxiety, and even fear for you, family and friends can overwhelm you.
David and I had both been touched by cancer—breast cancer for me, prostate for David, and various cancers that affected friends and family. David served as a member of the board and, a few years after his death in 2009, I was asked to join. For the past five years I have served as the corporate secretary.
We both knew there were many ways to draw attention to CSCGLV and its extraordinary opportunities. In particular, however, we focused on special events because they can bring friends together, generate publicity, and demonstrate to foundation and corporate donors the value of the organization’s psycho-social programming for area residents.
A past event called Restoration of Hope grew out of David’s discussions with colleagues on the finance committee and board of directors in 2007 and his friendship with Keith Flickinger, manager of Nicola Bulgari’s car collection. In April 2008, guests enjoyed a private showing of Mr. Bulgari’s astonishing collection of original and restored Buicks to raise initial endowment funds for the organization. The event made the connection between Mr. Bulgari’s restoration of classic automobiles and CSCGLV’s help in restoring the lives of cancer patients through targeted programming.
A more recent event is Garden of Hope, inaugurated in 2013. This is my second year chairing this annual gathering to honor volunteers, donors, and participants. The Cancer Support Community is grateful to generous members of our community who offer to host at their homes and gardens. This year we will be enjoying Ravenwood Manor, the Allentown home of Phyllis and William Grube. And I am grateful to a terrific committee of volunteers who have worked for months to present a spectacular afternoon of music, friendship, activities, and delicious light French-themed refreshments on Thursday, June 30th.
Please join us as we share stories about the impact our services have had for many individuals and families, as well as volunteers who eagerly give of themselves to strengthen our community. We invite you to learn more about Garden of Hope by clicking the link below or call 610-861-7555.
