If you know CCF, you likely know Jerry Chadwick, who serves as CCF’s Board Chairman. While his title has changed over the years, his presence, commitment and passion has not.
When I joined CCF in 2015 as Executive Director, Jerry’s passion was as powerful then as it is today. Earlier this summer, I sat down with Jerry to reflect on his role with CCF and how he became involved.
In looking back Jerry first recognizes that “CCF has accomplished a lot since its beginnings in the basement of our founder’s home in Baltimore.” It has, indeed, and alongside our founder Shirley Howard, Jerry has helped CCF flourish and become what we are today.
“I became a member of the Board of CCF in 1997, which at 25 years, makes me the longest serving member of the foundation. Over the years I was secretary, vice-president, president and currently serve as Chairman of the Board. I initially joined the board at the suggestion of my boss at the time, who had been approached by our late founder, Shirley Howard, to have a board representative.
On becoming a board member, I learned more about the foundation’s mission and how important it was for children fighting cancer to have the facilities, programs, support and hope they needed to get through difficult treatments. In the early years, CCF was focused on building pediatric oncology units in area hospitals which did not exist in those days. Back then, children were treated in the same oncology units as adults. Developing treatment facilities specific to the needs of children was a novel concept at the time. As a board member, it was exciting to be part of an organization that was doing pioneering work with renowned institutions such as The Johns Hopkins Hospital.”
Jerry noted that “over the years, CCF had a major role in building pediatric oncology units at all the major hospitals in the area that treat pediatric cancer. Over time, our area built state-of-the-art facilities which meant CCF shifted some of our focus on funding research and programs at leading institutions including the National Cancer Institute. While CCF has stayed true to its mission of funding locally based organizations, the caliber of that research has helped children throughout the country and the world.”
The foundation has awarded over $41 million in grants since its founding in 1985 yet has never had more than three staff members at any given time. “This is a huge amount raised by such a small organization and is a tribute to our dedicated staff and the countless contributions of time and resources made by our board members, volunteers and contributing partners.” Jerry is proud of this generous community that has made this possible and we are grateful for Jerry’s commitment.
Pictured from Left: Jeffrey Dome, M.D. Chief of Oncology, Children’s National, Jerry Chadwick, D.M. CCF Board Chairman, and Jeff Toretsky, M.D., Chief of Oncology/Hematology, Georgetown Hospital
“Until a cure for this dreaded disease is found,” Jerry reminds us, “there will continue to be a great need for the work of this foundation. It has been a privilege to participate in this effort for so many years. I look forward to continuing in the progress towards a goal of ending pediatric cancer.”
That progress can be found in Jerry’s son, Christopher Chadwick, who is following in his father’s footsteps and proudly serves on the CCF Board of Directors.
Both CCF and the local cancer research community are fortunate to have Jerry on our team, not just as a leader, but as a true friend.
In partnership,
Tasha Museles
President
The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc.
