Fellow Board Colleagues and Advisory Council Members,
On May 19th Kevin Clayton will chair his final CHC Board meeting after two very impactful years as our chief volunteer officer. As I think you all know, I have a tradition of acknowledging our outgoing chair with something more personal than just an award and another plaque for the wall. I would like to continue that tradition for Kevin in a manner that will demonstrate our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for his leadership during one of the most transformative times in our sixty-five year history.
Some of you will remember Stuart Scott, a beloved and highly respected ESPN sports journalist who passed away in 2015 from cancer. Kevin and Stuart had a long and very close personal relationship and Kevin has supported the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund (through the V Foundation for Cancer Research) over the past seven years. The fund is designed to specifically support research “to overcome inequities and disparities in cancer”.
I can think of no more meaningful tribute for Kevin than making a CHC contribution to the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund in his honor. We have spoken with Kevin’s daughters who have confirmed that this would be the recognition that Kevin would most deeply appreciate.
If you are inclined, you can join with me in making a contribution to this fund so that we can surprise Kevin with the outcome on May 19th at the conclusion of our board meeting. All contributions will be privately acknowledged however the gift will be presented on behalf of the entire staff, board and advisory council.
Sincerely,
Kevin's Accomplishments as Chair
Kevin’s CHC Board Roles:
• Board of Directors Chair
• Governance & Leadership Development Chair
• Board of Directors Member
• Task Force on Health Equity Member
• Special Task Force in FY23, Chair
Kevin’s CHC Speaking & Leadership Roles:
• Host and Speaker, Future of Health Convenings in Cleveland, March 2020; August 2021; May 2022
• Speaker, “Diversity and Inclusion is a Team Sport,” Charities@Work Employee Engagement Summit in NYC, June 2019
• Advisory Council Member, Charities@Work 2020
• Speaker, Charities@Work Candid Conversations, “Covid’s Impact on DEI,” May 2020
• Speaker, Charities@Work Candid Conversations, “The Impact of Racism on Employee Engagement,” June 2020
• Speaker, VoteAmerica Election Night Watch Party, November 2020
• Speaker and Lead, Diversity & Inclusion Session with Liberty Diversified International (LDI) leadership and staff, 2021
• Plus, leadership for numerous board meetings, executive sessions, staff sessions, trainings, townhalls, and more.
About the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund
The Goal: Stop Cancer Disparities
African Americans have a higher overall death rate from cancer than all other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.
This is not a new development. Since inception of the Stuart Scott Fund, the V Foundation has made $12.7 million in research grants from combined funds raised through the Sports Humanitarian Awards, Bristol Myers Squibb and other generous donors. We are working to close the gap, overcome racism, unconscious bias and disparities in our work to end cancer. Please join us in stopping cancer disparities today.
How Cancer Affects Race and Ethnicities The recent The State of Cancer Health Disparities in 2020 report by American Association for Cancer Research provides data regarding higher cancer incidence and lower survival rates for underserved populations. Some of the concerning disparities found in the report:
