2018 is my 25th year in business and I wanted to do something impactful and lasting in the community, beyond a typical client party,” says Beth Goldsmith, REALTOR® and owner of Sold by the Gold at North Eastern Group Realty in Fort Wayne. “2018 also marks ten years for me being cancer-free. Over the last 15 years, our team has contributed $100 of each closed transaction to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, generating $115,000 for cancer research thus far. When I learned about the Transformative Cancer Care Fund through the newly-opened Parkview Cancer Institute, it was a natural fit to combine the anniversary celebration with a fundraising goal that will help local cancer patients and their families. Specifically, the fund assists cancer patients by covering the cost of things their insurance doesn’t – everything from transportation to a night at a hotel to nutritional supplements. My goal is to raise $250,000 for this fund by the end of the year.”
Goldsmith and her team at Sold by the Gold quickly went to work planning ways to raise the funds. The effort kicked off at a celebratory event at Parkview Cancer Institute last spring where Goldsmith’s family, friends and business associates gathered to learn more about the new facility and to pledge their support for the fundraiser.
“At a planning session for this event with Dr. Neil Sharma of the Parkview Cancer Institute, he asked me why I was so passionate about raising money for the Transformative Cancer Care Center.”
There is a long answer to that question, because Goldsmith isn’t just a cancer survivor, cancer has also claimed the lives of many people she loves.
“My mom had her first round of cancer when she was pregnant with me. My only sister, Beverly, who used to work with me at Sold by the Gold, died from breast cancer at the age of 45 in 2003. Both my maternal and paternal grandmothers died from cancer before I was born. A first cousin on my dad’s side died from cancer in his 50s. Another first cousin currently has advanced cancer and his teenaged son died from cancer several years ago. My sister’s children lost both their mom and dad to cancer within a 5-year time span.”
Goldsmith was disappointed, but not surprised, upon her diagnosis with breast cancer.
While cancer has ravaged her family, it has given Goldsmith a greater sense of empathy for other cancer patients and the effects it has on the whole family.
The Transformative Cancer Care Fund at the Parkview Cancer Institute is designed to assist those families in their greatest need.
“The new Parkview Cancer Institute is also a huge boost to our community beyond patient care. In my real estate business, we do a lot of medical relocation and I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with some of the dynamic professionals who choose to make Fort Wayne their new hometown. Just like IU Health and the Lutheran Health Network, the Parkview Cancer Institute is moving our community to the next level. Instead of people leaving Indiana to go to specialty clinics in other states, they are coming to Fort Wayne. It’s a win-win all the way around.”
Goldsmith has already raised $215,000 and is hoping to reach her goal of $250,000 by the end of the year.
“I am truly humbled and honored that we were able to generate donations toward our goal so quickly. I want people to understand it is an endowment fund. Therefore, the Transformative Cancer Care Fund will take care of cancer patients in perpetuity. I hope my 25-year business celebration leaves a lasting legacy for families long after I am gone.”
Goldsmith says she won’t stop even after reaching her fundraising goal. In her mind, there is always something she can do to make this corner of the world a better place.
“I’m vice chairman of Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. this year, and am honored to work with a board that is dedicated to making Fort Wayne a nationally recognized economy and quality place to live, work and play. As for personal goals, I hope one of the things I accomplish in my lifetime is to be a model of encouragement to young people. I want them to know you’re never too old to set and achieve new goals.”
If you’d like to contribute to the fundraising effort for the Transformative Cancer Care Fund, visit parkviewfoundations.org/CancerCare
