At the 2025 National Business Products Industry (NBPI) Spirit of Life® Gala honoring John Fellowes, the room fell silent as Barb Gargano, Fellowes’ senior director of customer experience and City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago patient took the stage.
One year ago today, I was coming off my 4th round of EPOCH-R chemo. I could barely muster up the strength to get dressed, I wasn’t able to drive, and I had zero energy. Twice, in the months prior, my family was told I may not make it through the night and that they should prepare to say their final goodbyes.
But look at me now. Today, I am here with all of you, enjoying each other’s company, this beautiful venue, and celebrating the lifesaving care of City of Hope.
Barb’s story was more than a mission moment — it was a key pillar of John Fellowes’ Spirit of Life campaign, Expanding Hope, and started a movement. A testament to the power of purposeful giving, her voice became the heartbeat of a campaign that raised more than 13 million dollars and deepened the emotional connection between donors and the mission.
Why Stories From Your Team Matter
Data moves minds, but stories move hearts. It’s human connection that drives action. Barb’s journey — from a Stage 4 diagnosis, a second chance at City of Hope, to remission — was more than a tale of survival. It was a story of resilience, compassion, and the lifesaving impact of donor-funded care.
“City of Hope made me feel whole when I was broken,” shared Barb. “They showed me compassion when I felt stripped of dignity. They gave me strength when I had none left.”
Navigating the most vulnerable moments of her life, Barb’s story highlighted that being treated with dignity was just as important as the treatment itself. This deeply relatable sentiment helped the audience understand that City of Hope is for everyone, and it will be there for all of them if a need arises. Her words reminded everyone in the room why they give and the tangible impact of their generosity.
A Campaign Made Personal
For John Fellowes, 2025 Spirit of Life Honoree and CEO of Fellowes Brands, the Expanding Hope campaign was deeply personal. Fellowes Brands have been supporters of City of Hope for decades, and John Fellowes has been an industry volunteer leader for more than 23 years. In the past two years, Fellowes’ sister, multiple friends, coworkers, and Barb were diagnosed with cancer and went through journeys battling life-threatening illnesses.
These experiences underscored that his decades-long support was a mission of the heart.
“It hit home. It made my commitment to City of Hope go to another level,” John said. “It can’t be overstated how important the work that City of Hope is doing and the impact that they are having on real people’s lives.”
Elevating Team Voices to Transform Action
Fellowes’ leadership and Barb’s authentic storytelling created a powerful collaboration — one that inspired leaders, informed audiences of their impact and created human connections.
Barb’s story was integrated directly into the Expanding Hope campaign across multiple channels, including video, news media, speeches and inclusion at multiple NBPI events. Authentic storytelling aligned with the campaign’s tone, honored the legacy of Fellowes Brands, and empowered the audience to act. The authentic storytelling and human connection led to deeper engagement and renewed purpose among campaign supporters.
The Emotional Bridge That Drives Action
One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime — it’s a reality that touches nearly every team. By amplifying your team's voices, you can inspire meaningful giving and foster deeper connections across your organization. Create a culture of compassion and impact with five easy steps:
- Choose with Care: Select speakers from your company or community who are relatable to your audience; relatability bolsters audience engagement and investment in the honoree’s campaign goals, company goals, and City of Hope.
- Prioritize Consent and Comfort: Ensure speakers are emotionally ready and supported. Rally around them and prioritize authenticity over curated messaging.
- Focus on Empowerment: Highlight resilience and hope — not just hardship.
- Make It Personal: Connect the speaker’s journey to your company’s philanthropic legacy.
- Provide Connection: Introduce speakers with intention, sharing their connection to your organization, and the human connection between the two.
