Meet Melanie Wilson | CEO & Cancer Survivor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Wilson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melanie, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
Robin Roberts, ABC anchor, often talks about her mother’s wise expression, “Make your mess your message.” This adage resonates with me because my personal cancer journey has made me an extremely passionate and devoted CEO of a nonprofit that supports and serves cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones. I have a clear understanding of our mission, and the needs of the thousands of clients we serve each year, because I have been a cancer patient – and am now a survivor. My husband has also survived cancer, and I was his caregiver. And sadly, I lost my beautiful and vibrant daughter to cancer, just 16 days after her 21st birthday. These experiences guide me as a leader… and in essence, my pain has become my superpower.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been a fulfilled and devoted nonprofit leader for 30 years. Although I earned an Interior Design degree from Baylor, I knew that I wanted to dedicate my career toward making the world better (not just more beautiful) for others. So my first nonprofit job was a part-time activities coordinator. But because of my passion for the mission – I was repeatedly promoted and finally became the vice president of outreach and program development. I leaned a great deal working in a dynamic environment that encouraged me to use my creativity to establish new programs and outreach/marketing strategies, and I loved it!

Then I had the opportunity to work for an agency that enabled me to build strong fundraising, strategic planning, and staff/board development skills. Thanks to exceptional mentors, and my commitment toward learning and leading – I transitioned into the chief executive role a few years later. My first two CEO positions were with large, national nonprofits — I made the most of the professional development that was available, and was energized by being recognized for innovation and excellence (I still treasure the moment when I received the American Heart Association’s Rome Betts Award for Excellence as the national executive director of the year).

However, my path hasn’t been easy. As a working mother, I struggled to find work/life balance with highly demanding jobs and three remarkable daughters. And then I was diagnosed with cancer in my mid-thirties when my children were in elementary school, I endured a year of chemo, radiation, and multiple surgeries – while working full-time and participating in the Leadership Fort Worth program. I watched the plane crash into the second tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11 from a hospital bed.

A few years later, cancer returned to my life. But this time I had to juggle the emotional and logistical challenges of caring for my daughter during her cancer battle. One month after my daughter’s radiation treatments ended, my husband was ironically diagnosed with cancer. Research shows that depression in caregivers is often equal to, or even higher than depression in cancer patients. This was certainly true for me. However, I also had to care for my work team so that we could maintain excellence.

And then one summer afternoon, I received a call from Cancer Care Services, a local nonprofit in Fort Worth. They were looking for a CEO, but quite honestly – I was afraid that the cancer in my personal life would make working for a cancer-related agency too hard on my heart. Fortunately, my husband asked me to consider that perhaps my personal experiences with cancer were preparing me for this new role. He was right.

It has now been eleven+ years since I joined Cancer Care Services. During that time our agency has grown, as have I. A few months after I joined Cancer Care, my daughter’s cancer returned for the third and final time. Lauren passed away on 11/1/11. My grief was horrific. But thankfully, I didn’t have to face it alone because I was surrounded by the love and support of Cancer Care Services’ staff and board. Ultimately, this heartbreaking experience, plus my own cancer journey, created a genuine understanding of the struggles faced by the thousands of cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers we serve each year. There is no question that because of the connection between my professional and personal paths, I not only have a career… I have a CALLING!

P.S. I attribute this “calling” as the reason I was named a “Great Woman of Texas” by the Fort Worth Business Press.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Music brings me JOY! So my go-to spots are places where I can enjoy live music, while surrounding myself with family and friends. A few of my favorites are: Jazz nights at WineHaus, concerts on the lawn at Lost Oak Winery, free music and a picnic at Levitt Pavilion, and any evening in the piano bar of Lili’s Bistro.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
No one should cope with cancer alone, and thanks to a remarkable circle of support – I didn’t have to! During my cancer treatment, I was showered with love from those who were close to me — but I also received a mind-boggling flood of support from people I barely knew (including complete strangers!). Although I was scared and in pain, I never felt alone. Then when my husband and daughter were diagnosed with cancer, the same beautiful phenomenon occurred again! It was extraordinary! In fact, when my daughter, Lauren, became sick – her friends created a Facebook group called LALA’S SOLDIERS. At one time, there were more than 3,000 members of her virtual “love army.” This Facebook page remains active, and people continue to celebrate Lauren’s unforgettable spirit, and they continue to express love for my family. I also continue to receive support from Cancer Care Services. Suffering is a harsh part of life, but being blessed by the kindness and compassion of others makes it possible to keep going until the sun shines once again.

Website: www.CancerCareServices.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cancercareservices/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cancer-care-services/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-wilson-9803768/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CancerCareServices

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLr0wxfnWMTBM6q7R0vkMfg