This is my last blog until after Labor Day. Harriet and I are heading off for a week in New England, and are looking forward to winding up the summer with this short trip. We’ll be up in the Berkshires for a few days of the trip, and will have to bring some sweatshirts to deal with the evening chill. It seems like forever since we have had to think about bundling up…
Last week was a bit quiet for meetings because many people are out of town. But there was still a lot of work to do. A highlight were two wonderful and very productive strategic planning sessions held Monday and part of Tuesday to better define Lombardi’s vision, mission and objectives. A group of about 15 Lombardi leaders participated in this exercise, with the very able facilitation of a professional consultant, Alan Spector.
While a sound strategic plan is the foundation for a strong CCSG submission, we quickly saw how this process can help focus our efforts in many ways that extend well beyond the CCSG. We have more work to do, and more people to bring into the process, but for now I can share the vision statement we devised: to prevent and cure cancer with a local focus and global impact. This is intentionally broad; the mission statement is what helps describe our unique contributions to this overarching vision.
We hope to continue the process of fleshing out the plan over the next few months.
Another highlight for me was the Hyundai Hope on Wheels event last Wednesday. Through this excellent program, Hyundai has given Lombardi’s pediatric program nearly $500,000 over the past nine years. Hyundai awarded $75,000 to Scott Myers this year for his important work in the long-term effects of cancer treatment in children. 13-year-old Zoe Chen, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia two years ago and recently completed her treatment, delivered some inspiring remarks and words of advise for other young cancer patients.
See you in September!