{"id":16169,"date":"2022-09-23T15:31:16","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T15:31:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/?p=16169"},"modified":"2022-09-28T15:42:11","modified_gmt":"2022-09-28T15:42:11","slug":"2022_gala_honoree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/blog\/2022_gala_honoree\/","title":{"rendered":"A career of service: CHN honors Joseph J. DePalma","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cThe cancer journey is so different for so many people. But I think it all starts from the same place. When you\u2019re first diagnosed with cancer, there is this sense of fear, uncertainty, mystery.\u201d<\/em> 
Joseph DePalma, <\/em> 
2022 Spirit of Hope Honoree<\/em> 
Support Volunteer, Trustee, General Counsel<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For nearly three decades, Joseph DePalma has been helping people facing cancer navigate that sense of fear and mystery to find hope and healing. He will be honored as the Cancer Hope Network 2022 Spirit of Hope winner at the organization\u2019s Chrysalis Gala on October 20.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mental Building Blocks<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Joe was a young lawyer with three small children (his youngest had just celebrated her first birthday) when he was diagnosed. He recognized immediately that cancer would be a physical and emotional battle.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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He focused on keeping his physical body and mental health in their best possible shape. When treatments and side effects made physical health impossible, he focused on creating mental building blocks that would bolster his mental health. \u201cI might not be able to control the outcome of the physical nature, the chemo, the radiation, the surgery, but I could work to put my mind in a better place. And that\u2019s what I tried to do.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those mental building blocks included thoughtful compartmentalization. \u201cWhenever I let my mind wander, it took me to a negative place, to a place I didn\u2019t want to be. I learned to take my battle for the day and come equipped in that day for that battle. I did my best not to worry about what if this happens\u2019 or \u2018what if this doesn\u2019t happen.<\/em>\u2019\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helping Others \u2013 Volunteer service through the years<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After treatment, Joe’s desire to help and support others like he had been supported brought him to a startup called CHEMOcare, CHN\u2019s original name. He completed Support Volunteer training and was soon being matched with patients \u2013 nearly two dozen to date. \u201cI always look forward to those matches because I come away with a sense that I touched someone\u2019s life and made their journey a little easier and a little better.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As treatments changed and matches came less frequently, Joe transitioned the focus of his volunteer efforts to leadership service. He joined the Board of Trustees in 2012 and has continued his service as Support Volunteer, Trustee, and now General Counsel for thirty years.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe has found meaning in each of those volunteer roles, \u201cAs General Counsel, I very much enjoy providing legal advice to the Board so they can continue to do the amazing things that they do. Sitting on the Board is remarkable because I\u2019m with an incredible group of compassionate and caring people who are all unified in the singular purpose of making sure that no one goes through a cancer journey alone.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a volunteer, being able to speak one on one with somebody going through what I went through, I think is the most rewarding. They\u2019re all rewarding but being a volunteer and giving somebody this sense of feeling a little bit better at the end of the conversation than when they started, I felt was not only good for them, but it was good for me, and it made me want to do it again and again.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Service<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n
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Joe\u2019s years of service have been marked by a throughline \u2013 his dedication to making the world a better place and to leaving his community better than he found it.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think there\u2019s this sense of the interconnectivity we all have as a society. I received so much when I was going through my journey \u2013 support from family, support from friends, from the medical community. And I wanted to give when I came out of that journey. And hopefully that circle continues so that when I give to somebody who\u2019s going through their journey, at some point down the road, they\u2019re going to want to do the same. Cancer Hope is an organization that so perfectly facilitates that circle\u2026receiving and giving.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Praise from others<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

His commitment is recognized and appreciated by his colleagues and friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe positivity that Joe has brought to his cancer journey and CHN patients has not stopped there.\u202f He is the true optimist of the firm that we all look to in times of need.\u201d<\/em>  <\/p>Tamara Crocker, Chief Operating Officer, Lite DePalma Greenberg & Afanador, LLC <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cCancer Hope Network is fortunate to have hundreds of outstanding volunteers. Joseph DePalma stands out even in that talented crowd. Joe shares kindness and brilliance in equal measure, putting people at ease. His thoughtful guidance and strategic leadership have helped CHN mature into the organization we are today. We are tremendously grateful for his service.\u201d<\/em>  <\/p>Cynthia Gutierrez Bernstein, Executive Director & COO, Cancer Hope Network <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWhile I\u2019ve been lucky enough to know Joe since he joined the Board of Trustees, you can\u2019t truly appreciate anyone\u2019s true essence until you play music with them.  And in Joe\u2019s case, our jam sessions over the past year tell you everything you need to know about him.<\/em> <\/p>

First, how modest he is about his skills and talents.  Joe approached my husband, Steve, and me about a year ago wanting to get back into guitar, saying he hadn\u2019t played in ages, wasn\u2019t sure if he was ready, and just wanted to ease in.  But in true Joe fashion, he showed up and blew us away, never telling us how amazingly good he is and how well he can hold his own on a six string in any scenario.<\/em> <\/p>

Second, what a team player he is.  He always says he\u2019s just happy to keep rhythm, and will always be reluctant to take the solo.        <\/em> <\/p>

Third, what a fun, kind, and thoughtful person he is, and how important his friends and family are to him.  Joe will always show up to practice with an amazing bottle of wine, great stories about concerts he\u2019s seen, travel plans, curiosity about what everyone else is up to, and most importantly, updates about his family \u2013 all of which involve pure joy and excitement.<\/em> <\/p>

Steve and I are so lucky to call Joe our friend, and cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>Lindsay Tasher, Vice President, Cancer Hope Network Board of Trustees <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n