October 2021 update

I’d like to share with you my latest health update as well as how we’re positioning the Boys & Girls Clubs for continued success.

On the health front, my rectal cancer continues to spread in my lungs. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of hospital stays, doctor visits, investigative research, and decision making in the face of uncertainty without data. At this time, it appears the best course of action is to resume chemotherapy with bi-weekly infusions of Folfox, the same treatment I had two years ago. If this doesn’t work or results in complications, we’ll try something else. The reality is the doctors don’t know of any curative treatments at this time. We’ll continue to do all we can to stop the growth in hopes of a new treatment being discovered.

I'm at Stanford now waiting for my first dose. I expect to have a not-so-good week followed by a more normal feeling week, a regular bi-weekly pattern.

Given the reality of the situation, now is the time to take action to ensure BGCP continues to thrive for the long term. We need to plan for future leadership, and last week our Board of Directors took action and appointed Jenny Obiaya as BGCP co-CEO. I will serve as co-CEO as long as I’m able and do my best to prepare Jenny for leading BGCP.

In her role as Chief Program Officer, Jenny has demonstrated all the critical skills required to be a great leader. I have been blessed to work with some incredible leaders over my career, and Jenny’s combination of commitment, compassion, intellect, passion, and drive are second to none. She is a born leader and has earned the respect and trust of all the BGCP stakeholders with whom she has interacted.

BGCP is thriving, and promoting from within ensures continuity and that we will maintain our strong culture. My favorite leadership principle is “decentralized leadership, shared ownership.” BGCP runs on consensus and influence, and decisions are made collaboratively. Jenny embodies this approach.

This decision is made possible because of our Leadership Team members who have been with BGCP for an average of around 10 years. They are all committed to continuing with BGCP to serve our community. Thank you, Erick, Esme, James, Jose, Mike, and Tina, for all you do for BGCP and our youth. This decision is further supported by the incredible staff we have “below” the Leadership Team, including our site directors and functional heads, the folks who actually do the real work. Their average tenure is also over five years.

I want to give a special acknowledgment to Tina, our Chief Advancement Officer, who is Jenny’s biggest advocate. If you know Tina, you know how amazing she is at her job and as a person. She and Jenny have a wonderful partnership, both understanding how important their complementary contributions are and that BGCP cannot succeed without both succeeding at their roles. They are a dynamic duo.

I will continue to work during treatments as I have in the past, not because I want to be a hero or because BGCP needs me, but because it brings me fulfillment. I deeply appreciate how supportive and loving the BGCP community has been to me. Yes, I’m scared about the treatments and the prognosis, but I’m at peace knowing my fourth child, BGCP, is in good hands. And I’m also at peace having spent my time over the past two decades so aligned with my values.

Between treatments, I hope to continue my run of amazing trips with Betty, family, and friends. The getaways made possible by generous friends to Cabo, Jamaica, Big Sur, Carmel, Pt. Reyes, Stinson Beach, Utah, Buffalo Valley, Pebble Beach, St. Helena, etc. do more for my health than any medicine. Thank you all so much for sharing.

Love,

Peter