Cheryl Davis is a private person. As vice president and corporate secretary at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, she's also a very busy person. But when it comes to The Gathering Place, a resource in Beachwood for people touched by cancer, Davis puts aside her personal life to make time in her hectic schedule to volunteer.
"I think it's just a wonderful place," says Davis, who serves on the board of directors and chairs the strategic planning committee. "It's a place where you can walk in the door and not have to worry about anything, and when you walk out all you have to think about is when you want to come back."
At The Gathering Place, staff and volunteers provide everything from support groups to teen cancer programs to counseling. Other resources include an extensive library with a medical librarian to explain a written diagnosis, a men's program, tai chi and reiki classes. And best of all, the services are free of charge.
A cancer survivor herself, Davis understands firsthand the hardships cancer patients face. In her 30s, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 1999 and went through seven months of chemotherapy and radiation. She credits the support she found during her treatment as being an invaluable resource.
"When you're going through the cancer experience there are so many things you need to take care of," she explains. "There are doctors' appointments, billing [issues], insurance."
But The Gathering Place was not an option for Davis during her treatment. However, she was able to find support through a group of people her own age and through her friends.
"When I went through the experience, The Gathering Place was in its infancy — they were just talking about it," Davis recalls. So instead she found a support group. "I was able to be with people [in similar situations] — all the people in my group were under 40, most had children and were working full time."
The support Davis found during her treatment is what encouraged her to volunteer at The Gathering Place. "This is my way of saying thank you to friends and family who supported me," she says.
Holding a full-time job doesn't interfere with Davis' volunteer work. She just simply adapts her schedule. "I'm fortunate to have a great deal of flexibility in my job," she says. "I can come in a little late for a board meeting, and then stay late and finish."
However, Davis jokes that the busy schedule leaves little time for anything else. "I don't have time to plan my wedding," she says. "Between work and volunteering, it's kept me very busy."
But Davis is sure to always be available when she's needed. "Sometimes I'm there twice a week," she says. "It's always sporadic. And then there are the things you do on your own."
"Cheryl's quiet leadership is really very refreshing," says Eileen Saffran, executive director of The Gathering Place. "She doesn't do it for recognition. She's got some very special qualities about her that are very genuine and sincere. It's a delight having her in our corner."
Davis refers to herself as a generalist on the board — made up of a variety of business professionals in separate fields. "You're looking for a bunch of different resources when you're putting together a board," says Davis, who holds an undergraduate degree in social work from The Ohio State University and a graduate degree in public policy from Harvard.
Davis' latest endeavor is working with the team to develop a new strategic plan and open a second location in Westlake in the fall of 2008. The plan is part of a newly launched $800,000 expansion campaign.
"One of the things we've heard over time is the East Side is convenient for some, but not all," says Davis. "When you're dealing with cancer, sometimes it's a struggle just to get through daily tasks. Having to drive a great distance, sometimes people won't go."
"We're pretty fortunate," adds Saffran. "The board members certainly take it to a new level with their expertise."
With 350 active volunteers, Davis hopes anyone — whether a survivor, a patient or a family member — turns to The Gathering Place. "I encourage anyone who has been touched by cancer to look at our Web site,
www.touchedbycancer.org, and come in and visit us," she says. "There's a place for everybody."
While Davis shies away from the spotlight, her actions speak volumes in her commitment to The Gathering Place. "My way of [contributing] is reminding people to get checkups," she says.
Saffran acknowledges Davis as an asset to the organization. "Cheryl brings a sense of commitment to the mission," Saffran says. "Both as her contribution as a survivor but also her terrific understanding of the importance of networking in the community."