Chelsea K, the Senior Director of Development of Cancer and Women’s Health at Cleveland Clinic, holds extensive experience in the healthcare industry with spending over five years at Cleveland Clinic. A cancer survivor herself, Chelsea focuses on women's health, specializing in cancer care and cancer philanthropy.

In a recent conversation with the Global Woman Leader Magazine, Chelsea talks about various facets of cancer philanthropy. She explains how healthcare institutions must balance between specificity and flexibility when it comes to picking the specific areas to focus on. She also stresses that no matter what, the patient and their experience must be at the very centre of efforts. Chelsea also explains about VELOSANO, a unique initiative undertaken by Cleveland Clinic.

Read the article to know more.

How has the shift in philanthropic trends impacted cancer research and patient support? What should leaders prioritize to ensure sustainable funding for breakthrough treatments?

Within healthcare philanthropy, the most important thing is setting clear priorities. Unfortunately, with healthcare, everything is important. You can't dismiss any disease—even within cancer, there are varying levels of what needs to be done. But not everything can be a priority. You have to make the tough call about which projects to push to the highest level. You want to raise broadly so you can spend specifically.

For example, cancer research is such a large area. Many people focus on specific cancers because they were a patient or a family member was. I am a cancer survivor, and my mother is a cancer survivor. We both had different cancers, so I completely understand.

When giving to a specific area like breast cancer, it's essential to ensure that the funds are used at their highest and best potential, providing the leader of that area the flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of research in the current healthcare market. I aim to do this for the overall chief of our institute, ensuring that the money we raise is spent quickly, as donors want to see their contributions making an impact. It's wonderful when a donor helps think of a research project and the doctor gets excited about it, but if you become too specific, you may face challenges if a physician leaves or the project no longer fits the organization’s priorities.

Balancing specificity and flexibility are crucial to maintaining donor trust and stewardship. This approach enables doctors to use the funds effectively and show results, encouraging donors to return and attracting new ones to the organization.

As healthcare becomes more personalized, how do you see the role of philanthropy evolving in supporting targeted treatments for cancer?

Philanthropy plays an important role in funding cancer research. In the United States, many things have been cut over the years to prioritize government funding for cancer, and many larger NGOs are also facing budget constraints. COVID-19 created a financial strain, even for well-managed hospitals, and we are still feeling the repercussions. For us, philanthropy is crucial in funding cancer research, especially since, government funding requires proof of concept, which not everyone realizes.

Our donors often fund these initial concept projects, which can go on to set global standards for cancer treatment. Costs are continually increasing; it's very expensive to develop drugs and run clinical trials. We aim to provide precise care for all, which drives up costs. With a larger group, economies of scale can help, but when a treatment works for a smaller study size, we have to be comfortable with the significant costs involved. We are deeply thankful to our donors, as their contributions are vital to advancing our research.

How can leaders in women’s health and cancer research differentiate their mission and demonstrate long-term impact to retain philanthropic support?

Everything in healthcare is important, but it comes down to setting priorities that appeal broadly. Big ideas attract big funding, and no one should fear dreaming big, especially in areas like cancer and women’s health.

Cancer, in particular, has many forms and requires varied approaches—whether in treatments, prevention, diagnostics, or survivorship. We rely on others to support our mission, and staying on the cutting edge keeps things exciting. Focusing on what makes your organization uniquely suited to address the tough questions in cancer research today is crucial.

What role will innovation in digital platforms and crowdfunding play in shaping the future of philanthropy for cancer research? How can organizations stay ahead of the curve?

At the Cleveland Clinic, we have a movement called VELOSANO, meaning “Swift Cure” in Latin. This is a year-round fundraising effort culminating in a bike ride, the Bike to Cure Weekend, in early September. This model includes large donors contributing $100,000 and up at a major gift level, as well as individuals giving a dollar, with all contributions going to cancer research within our hospital system.

Crowdfunding’s impact is closely tied to understanding our community, which extends beyond Cleveland, Ohio. The event takes place locally, but our community members have their own networks, allowing us to reach a larger audience through those who support us. Crowdfunding and alternative funding methods require a clear understanding of the audience to stay ahead.

Looking ahead, AI will play a crucial role in identifying donors more effectively. Cold calling and emailing are current strategies, but AI could make these efforts more efficient with predictive models. Traditional fundraising strategies remain effective, but organizations need to adapt to generational shifts in donor preferences. Older generations may prefer a hands-off approach, while younger generations want to see the impact of their contributions. Regardless of technology, if we can’t demonstrate the impact, the story doesn’t resonate. Staying relevant and top of mind for current and prospective donors is essential to ensure continued support.

As we witness a shift towards collaborative models of funding, such as impact investing and corporate partnerships, how can cancer-focused organizations navigate these new alliances without diluting their mission?

I don’t know of a single person who hasn’t had an experience where a loved one, friend, colleague, or acquaintance has had cancer. It affects so many people. If you haven’t had that experience yet, unfortunately, it’s all too common. Corporate partnerships are essential because everyone should care about cancer and finding new treatments and cures. Cancer rates, especially among young people, are rising, with significant increases among adolescent and young adults (under 39) and young onset cases (under 50). Companies looking to get involved can make a meaningful impact here.

For us, the bike ride event allows young people within organizations to take on leadership roles, whether volunteering or actually riding. They can demonstrate leadership skills outside their regular job duties. It’s essential that we all work together. Our hospital cares for many business professionals in the community, and we aim to provide the best care for them. Our corporate partners, including those in the pharmaceutical sector, are true partners in this mission.

How can leaders in cancer philanthropy ensure that their messaging resonates with a younger generation of philanthropists?

One of our main focuses has to be helping those who historically have not been adequately supported. This generational shift reflects millennials, like myself, increasingly giving to social justice causes. Cancer is a social justice issue as it disproportionately affects certain populations more than others, even though it impacts all populations. I’m proud to work for an organization that not only pursues broad-based cancer research but also tackles why Black Americans experience higher rates of triple-negative breast cancer. Addressing these tough questions and disparities is critical.

Additionally, we provide many free services, such as patient and family support services that are non-medical but therapeutic for cancer patients. These include free wigs, massages, Reiki, yoga, and financial assistance. This support ensures people aren’t forced to choose between attending chemotherapy or going to work, or between paying utility bills and receiving essential treatment.

When we think of cancer philanthropy, we often focus on research, but the cancer patient should be just as central. I’m proud that our organization prioritizes caring for the patient alongside research. After all, if you can’t care for the patient, what good is the research?

Message For Readers

Cancer is a scary word, but in my role, I’m thankful to see the hope being created. For anyone with a loved one or who is struggling with cancer, please don’t give up hope—new treatments, methods, and discoveries are happening every day.