Children's Cancer Center: Navigating A Pandemic

Abstract

Patty O’Leary is the Executive Director of the Children’s Cancer Center (CCC). The CCC was founded on the philosophy that when a child is diagnosed with cancer, the entire family is really diagnosed. Patty and team dedicate their service to these families through 24 support programs focused on their emotional, financial, and educational needs. Much of the success of the organization has been driven by Patty’s ability to cultivate relationships with small to medium size businesses in Tampa Bay and Sarasota. These businesses support the Center through sponsorships and direct donations for the four signature events held each year: Golf Madness, The Gelatin Plunge, The Fall Stampede and Wine, Women & Shoes. The recent spread of COVID-19 leading to a statewide “safer-at-home” order placed Patty and her team in an unfamiliarly position of potentially not achieving their fiscal budget due to having to postpone the final two fundraisers for the year.