Pennsylvania Volunteer Supports Those Navigating The Complexities of Cancer

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Josette Gephart. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Josette Gephart has volunteered for many years. It’s something that’s deeply integrated into her life. In fact, she met her husband at an event for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation called Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest. Both were previous honorees who had come back for the occasion. Today, they have two sons, 14 and 12, and a Bernese Mountain dog named Reese.

In Josette’s 30-year career in oncology sales for different pharmaceutical companies, her work and nonprofit efforts began to be entwined. Though her business cards have changed, her focus has not, and she is deeply involved in the cancer treatment network.

Inspired to do more for patients, she found her way Cancer Bridges—originally founded as The Cancer Caring Center—through one of her customer oncologists-turned-friend who founded it to address the unmet needs of cancer patients and their families. Now, Josette is a board member and co-chair of the organization’s largest fundraiser event, a gala that recently raised over $250,000. Funds support free programs and services like support groups, educational lectures, counselling and social and creative activities to an increasing number of members each year.

What inspires you to volunteer?

30 years ago, after a promotion to the oncology division, the gravity of what I was doing really hit me. I needed to find a way to give back to those offices—the doctors and their staff, the nurses treating these patients—and these very ill patients who were anxious and worried.

I originally paired up with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) to deliver brochures when I called on my offices. They were advertising their financial assistance program that helped patients with co-pays and drug costs. From there, it snowballed. I started getting asked by all of the different cancer charities to drop off brochures. Then, it was, Can you help us fundraise? And, We’re looking for a caterer to provide a meal for this support group. Do you know someone who might donate to us?

I started doing fundraising and educational programs for the community, and as I started to appear in the newspaper at different charity functions, my oncologists started taking note. Then, my nurses started asking me about getting involved.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Cancer Bridges.

At board meetings, we help staff meet their determined needs. For example, they might need interns as social workers because they have a backlog of patients waiting to be matched. So, we’re looking for colleges with graduating seniors who can help. We might find instructors for programs. I play different roles where needed. We also have to approve finances and the budget.

The annual Light Up the Night Gala for Cancer Bridges started five years ago, and I was asked to co-chair three years ago. It’s like hosting a wedding for over 300 people every November. My husband and children get pulled into it, too. It’s finding entertainment, securing sponsors, hiring the DJ or the band, buying centerpieces, choosing an emcee or a host. It’s running the silent auction and getting donations and recruiting volunteers to our committee.

My company, Regeneron, gives us a day off to volunteer, which I use to set up the gala. Last year, we had 75 items in the silent auction and made over $25,000 just on that.

I continue to work with The American Cancer Society (ACS) and LLS, too. A lot of the people in our networks are the same. The latter has asked me to mentor new candidates for what used to be the Woman of the Year campaign, and I’m helping with ACS regional fundraisers.

What are some overlooked or unmet needs that cancer patients may have?

Some things aren’t completely covered by insurance. There are also emotional and psychological side effects. There are so many unknowns, and sometimes people just need somebody to speak to. Sometimes, it’s participating in programs with others going through the same thing, like a breast cancer group or a brain tumor survivor group. When they go into a cancer center, they don’t know what the people next to them have. A lot of them are masked, and they don’t talk anymore because of COVID and norovirus.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

My mother was diagnosed with a form of uterine cancer, my father-in-law with kidney cancer. My father died from lung cancer. When If I took my dad in for his treatments the doctors or nurses would take time to stop and talk with him. They knew who I was, and they knew he was my dad. It meant so much to us. I think about what it would have been like if I didn’t have those relationships.

A friend of mine was diagnosed for the second time with breast cancer. This time, she had to have a double mastectomy and is going through chemotherapy for the first time, so she lost all of her hair. A real wig was $1,600. Her insurance didn’t cover the full cost, so I was able to pair her up with a Cancer Bridges social worker who has her own foundation, and she gave her $400. Then, a radio DJ named Bonny Diver, who has her own charity, was able to give her another $400. The insurance paid the rest.

I help connect people to the right people. I fundraise an enormous amount. I try to get involved in meeting the needs of the cancer center. To be diagnosed with cancer is so overwhelming to patients and their families that it’s very difficult to navigate that. The relationships that I’ve formed, the knowledge and empathy that I’ve gained are invaluable to me.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I encourage people to find something that they feel passionate about and find a way to give back. If everyone carved out their own path and gave back just a little bit more, the world could be a much better place.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Josette? Find local volunteer opportunities.