Cancer is something that affects everyone differently, in ways I cannot come to fully comprehend. The very recent loss of a colleague and friend gave me pause to reflect on the trickle effect cancer has in so many lives, from diagnosis, to treatment, to cures and to the need to have to say goodbye to those we are not ready to lose.
My most recent experience with cancer was the untimely death of Brian Collins, who died of glioblastoma brain cancer.
Brian was a friend, a fellow CEO, and a running colleague. Brian’s career in developmental services, most recently as the executive director of Community Partners in Strafford County, was long and successful. His leadership was invaluable to me and to many throughout the state.
He and I shared a passion for running, and he had a huge impact on the New Hampshire running community. I visited Brian often in hospice to offer him encouragement and remind him of how many lives he had touched. He is an example of a man who fought the good fight but whose life was prematurely cut short. I will continue to honor his life and legacy.
Although Northeast Delta Dental has more than doubled in size since I became its president and CEO 27 years ago, we have intentionally developed a closely-knit corporate culture. In 2010, we lost a member of our family when Frank Donovan died following a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer. Frank’s long career in media relations led to his position as our media relations and special events coordinator.
Frank was an outspoken advocate for community engagement, and our support of community events, especially golf tournaments and road races, was largely due to his early efforts. I visited Frank often to offer my continued friendship and support after he was forced to retire due to his illness.
But everyone’s experience with cancer is unique, and the victories of some of our employees offer encouragement. Our former receptionist of many years, now retired, battled breast cancer successfully during her time at Northeast Delta Dental. It was to celebrate that victory and to highlight the need for more breast cancer research that a team of colleagues began participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of NH walk in Concord, with our receptionist as a member of our team.
We continue to participate. Another retired employee was surprised during her term of employment with us when her physician diagnosed her with uterine cancer. Her cancer was caught so early that no other treatment beyond surgery was needed, and there has been no recurrence.
Oral cancer is of particular concern for our business and industry. One of the many reasons that we encourage people to visit their dentists regularly is because dentists routinely screen for oral cancer. Like other forms of cancer, when oral cancers are detected early, treatment can be more effective. We discourage the use of cigarettes, chewing tobacco and vaping.
My personal experiences with cancer among my friends and colleagues underscore my belief that with so many forms of cancer and so many variables in response to the disease and treatments, there will always be a need for the work of the American Cancer Society.
Due to its funding of innovative research by hundreds of scientists and healthcare professionals nationwide, we have a better understanding of cancer and more effective cancer treatments are available. However, there is still much more work to be done to fulfill its mission of eliminating cancer. We will continue to support the American Cancer Society, and we hope that you will, too.
Tom Raffio is president and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental.