Legacy of love: Sentara embraces the art of giving back

Every day for two and a half years, 84-year-old Harold Farley drove to the Woodlawn cemetery on Virginia Beach Boulevard to visit the grave of his wife, Carolyn. 

He knew he loved her. What he didn’t know was that remembering the 60 years of love they shared would save his life—and the lives of many others.  

“Driving to the cemetery every day, I saw the Sentara Brock Cancer Center get built from the ground up,” said Farley. “A year after my wife passed away, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and of course, I knew where to go.” 

During his cancer treatments, Farley became a volunteer at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center. He would greet patients at the entrance, assist people in wheelchairs, and even dress up as Santa during the holidays. 

“I've done a lot of things in my lifetime,” said Farley. “I served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years, but without a doubt this is the most gratifying thing I've ever done—being able to give back.”

To give back—that is the true meaning of philanthropy: when someone gives their time, talent, and treasure to make life better for others. 

In July, Sentara will celebrate the five-year anniversary of the Sentara Brock Cancer Center and the spirit of volunteering and giving that has brought it to life.  

'A grateful patient—with a capital G'

Sentara’s first hospital was built back in 1888, when a group of local businessmen in Norfolk, Virginia, saw a need—and decided to do something about it. They pooled their money to open the 25-bed Norfolk Retreat for the Sick—not for profit, but for people. 

More than 135 years later, it’s still philanthropy—people giving because they care—that helps Sentara grow, innovate, and improve the health of our communities.

“I’m what you call a grateful patient—with a capital G,” said Joan Brock, a beloved philanthropist and member of the Sentara Brock Cancer Center Advisory Board. “I was so happy when they asked me to be part of the Sentara Brock Cancer Center because I’ve had three cancers! I wouldn’t be here without you all. Sentara saved my life.”  

Joan Brock and Dr. Thomas Alberico stand in front of the newly built Sentara Brock Cancer Center in 2020. 

When the Sentara Brock Cancer Center was built in 2020, it allowed Sentara, Virginia Oncology Associates, and Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University to provide the Hampton Roads region with access to state-of-the-art cancer care, all under one roof. 

“Ninety eight percent of what a cancer patient needs, we have in this building. We have medical, radiation, surgical oncology, cellular therapy, clinical research trials, and alternative therapies,” said Thomas Alberico, M.D., medical director and oncologist at Virginia Oncology Associates, and a member of Sentara’s Board of Directors. “Our goal is to have this become a designated National Cancer Institute community cancer center.” 

Brock and several other philanthropists donated $15 million to ensure patients also had access to art and music therapies, reiki (an energy healing practice), acupuncture, yoga, and a healing garden.  

“When I first started, philanthropy for me was all about giving money. Now it’s about the impact that it can have,” said Bob Fort, cancer survivor, former Sentara Board of Directors chair, and current co-chair of the Sentara Brock Cancer Center Advisory Board. “I tell people, volunteer with an organization before you give money and if you like it, go all out as best you can. Whether it’s $10 or $10 million, every bit counts.”

Brock added that philanthropy doesn’t mean wealth, it means generosity and as a lifelong Hampton Roads resident—she sees it as an honor to give back. 

"When I was little, my father opened a barbershop at Wards Corner in Norfolk and that place was always full. It was more than just haircuts. It was like a men’s club, a place to get away," said Brock. "I like to think the Brock Cancer Center is the same. It’s more than cancer. It’s the support, the hope, the shared experiences that make it special."

Tracey Goldsby, a Stage 2 triple negative breast cancer survivor, couldn't agree more. 

"I thought I'd be happy when I finished chemo, and I was, but I missed them," said Goldsby about the care team at Sentara Brock Cancer Center. "They had become my family. I saw them every day and they cared about me. Everybody knew my name, my story, my face."  

Tracey Goldsby (pictured left) enjoys time with Clayres Johnson, her breast cancer navigator at Sentara Brock Cancer Center.

Throughout her experience, Goldsby learned that presence is a true present.

“Whether I was getting my blood drawn, waiting to see the doctor, or being escorted into the chemo room, everyone was welcoming and reassuring,” said Goldsby. “They weren’t just doing a job, they were caring for me. It felt like a community saying, ‘You know what, there is hope here, we will get you through this.’” 

Another patient came to the cancer center, not because she had treatment, but because it was Harold Farley’s 84th birthday and she wanted to bring him a birthday gift. 

"Yeah, she just dropped this off for me," said Farley who smiled as he held up a U.S. Navy coffee mug, filled with candy and two balloons. “You become part of their life, and they want to celebrate with you.”

The magnetism of compassion doesn’t stop with just people.

“I was walking past the glass doors of a waiting room, and a man came out just to pet Lucy,” said Susan Stanitski who volunteers at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center with her therapy dog Lucy. “I usually give people bookmarks with her face on it but didn’t have them with me and he said, ‘I don’t need a bookmark. I need to see this dog. I just knew I needed to see her.’”  

Karin Weston, licensed practical nurse at Virginia Oncology Associates, says hi to Lucy the therapy dog and her owner, Susan Stanitski.

Stanitski herself is a Stage 3 breast cancer survivor. Volunteering with Lucy has been healing for her and thousands of others. 

“I know what it’s like to just sit there in infusion and feel like poop. So to be able to share non-judgmental love is so important,” said Stanitski. “She doesn’t care if you’re bald, skinny, or sick, she just loves you. She makes you feel like, ‘Oh wow, I can do this.’” 

Whether through presence or presents—philanthropy reminds us that love isn’t scarce. It’s all around and we are all worthy of it. 

Learn more about how you can donate and volunteer at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center. You can also learn more about Sentara Foundation and other ways to give back.