February 2001

The Rewards 

Despite these challenges, the nonprofit's staffs and volunteers persevere. "Knowing what a difference we are making in the lives of the cancer patients and their families" motivates Craig Schaefer, executive director of Cancer Care Services in Fort Worth, Texas. "We are reaching 80% of the newly diagnosed cancer patients that meet our income guidelines—essentially, that means we have an 80% market share! Who wouldn't be excited about that?"

Audrey Gordon, president of the Progeria Research Foundation in Peabody, Massachusetts, finds, "It is extremely gratifying to be able to help a student in need of information for a school report, a Dr. with a Progeria patient, a family with a child with Progeria, and to give people the opportunity to help. It is also wonderful to get praise about the work we are doing, which we are very proud of!"

Alicia McAuliffe, president of the Circle of Life Camp in Loudonville, New York, is inspired by "helping the children and actually seeing that our camp does help improve the lives of children with diabetes. Personal satisfaction—I think all of our volunteers and staff would say the same!!"

Chuck Martin, executive director of the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston, Missouri, takes pride in the number of children his organization has assisted. "Over the years," he notes, "our Center has literally helped thousands of children with special needs attend public school, function more independently, and gain the confidence they need to lead more active and productive lives. The best part of my job is seeing the fantastic staff that we have positively impacting the lives of some very special children."

"Every once in a while," reports Sean Casey Venable, chair and operating officer of P.L. Active in Washington, D.C., "a client thanks us for helping them through a very tough time. [That] makes it all worthwhile."

As Sharon Gacki, executive director of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association in Saint Louis, Missouri, says, "We can and do make a difference."

Suzanne E. Coffman, February 2001
© 2001, Philanthropic Research, Inc.