General News
Fayetteville lost a true advocate for cancer care this May with the passing of Jesse Byrd, Chair Emeritus of Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center Advisory Council.
For more than 30 years, Byrd led fundraising efforts to support local cancer patients receiving care at Cape Fear Valley Cancer Centers. He and his wife, Irene, were volunteers at Cape Fear Valley Cancer Treatment and CyberKnife Center and were instrumental in creating the health foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center.
Friends of the Cancer Center focuses on raising funds to support patients during treatment. They help patients purchase medications, reimburse gas for travel to treatments and provide turbans and wigs for those in need. The depth and breadth of support Friends of Cancer can provide to the community has grown exponentially over the years. But Byrd wasn’t surprised when he looked back at all the Friends had accomplished in 30 years.
“I think Fayetteville is a giving community,” he said.
In 1991, Irene Byrd lost her own battle with cancer. In 2015, Jesse Byrd honored her by establishing the Irene Thompson Byrd Cancer Care Endowment. His hope was to ensure support for cancer patients would be available for decades to come. Thanks to Byrd and his efforts, the Byrd endowment has grown to a sizable $1.2 million.
Always humble, Byrd took no credit for his donation at first, until a friend convinced him that telling his story might make others choose to give. He then became a champion for the endowment, encouraging others to contribute to the fund.
“Jesse never sought the limelight or accolades,” says Sabrina Brooks, Vice President of Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation. “He was unassuming. But if you talked with him about caring for cancer patients, he was vocal in his support. When asked about why he created the endowment Jesse said, ‘It's not just about Irene or the Friends of the Cancer Center. It's about the community. It's about the doctors and the nurses and the techs. And about all the people who do all they can to help those who are less fortunate. And that takes money.’”
As a certified public accountant, Byrd understood the importance of investment. He knew that endowments can provide annual support to supplement fundraising for patient support.
“There’s always a need there,” he said. “Every year our annual giving programs are tremendously important, but if you can build an endowment base that generates an investment income, you know that base is always going to be there.”
“Jesse’s impact will be felt by the cancer centers, the patients the centers serve and this region for decades to come,” said Mike Nagowski, Cape Fear Valley Health’s Chief Executive Officer.
Jesse Byrd quietly touched many lives and provided assistance when it was most needed.
“I like to think we’ve helped a lot of people,” he said. “I’m sure Irene has seen how much the cancer center has grown and I’m sure she’s proud.”
At Cape Fear Valley Cancer Treatment and CyberKnife Center, cancer patients are invited to ring the silver bell on the Irene Thompson Byrd Cancer Care Endowment wall. The ringing bell signifies the patient’s final cancer treatment and instills a sense of hope for the future before them.
It’s fitting that this sign of hope sits on a wall that bears the name of those who have provided hope to so many.
For more information on the Irene Thompson Byrd Cancer Care Endowment, please visit
