When Support Means Everything

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Eva Boehm. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Eva Boehm, 57, has been cancer-free for nearly two decades but fondly recalls the difference her family, friends, neighbors and healthcare team made in the days following the diagnosis that changed the course of her life. Many years later, as she retired from her career as an educator, she found a way to thank them.

Eva joined Gilda’s Club Minnesota‘s board of directors in July 2022 and has been board chair for a year. Gilda’s, named for famed comedian Gilda Radner, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 1989, is an organization that provides a wide variety of support to those affected by any form of the disease.

Since picking up the role as Gala co-chair two years ago, Eva has tripled donations from previous years and cemented the event as the organization’s largest fundraiser. She is a source of empowerment for board members, staff and community partners, and her ability to make people feel included, valued and capable has inspired many to join the cause.

What inspires you to volunteer?

It was modeled for me my entire childhood. My parents were always involved with the community, from our town council to school boards to professional organizations.

I later started volunteering through my professional organizations and went through secretary, vice-chair and president of those. And I got involved with my kids and the athletics and events they participated in.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Gilda’s Club Minnesota.

I’ve gone from an at-large board member who was participating more as governance to co-chairing our annual gala and, at the beginning of 2025, to board co-chair. At the invitation of the executive director, I helped lead our first gala for our 10-year anniversary in 2024. Collectively, we were able to raise $500,000, which we repeated in 2025.

I also help plan Gilda’s annual retreat with our executive director and conduct our at-large board member meetings six times a year. And I love attending other events throughout the year and promoting our mission and services.

I’m an organizer. I bring people in, and I’m your cheerleader.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

As I was nearing retirement, a friend of a friend introduced me to it. I saw this opportunity as an enormous billboard-size thank you note to all of those that helped my family and me. I had an aggressive form of breast cancer. At 39, I was diagnosed and in chemo within seven days. I had two little kids and was in the last phases of a graduate program. Everything came to a standstill.

I’m a generally glass-half-full person, and I just want to get involved because I can. It has filled my bucket, so to speak. You can rally around this, because almost everybody has had some brush with cancer in some form.

What are some ways people can support loved ones going through cancer?

Meals were incredible. Several friends helped me keep my home clean. That was a godsend when I had weekly chemo treatments and surgeries.

That mental health piece wasn’t as well-known almost 20 years ago. Now, people are coming together and talking and finding hope and resources in each other. We have improv groups, too. You have to laugh through this cancer journey, or your mind will play tricks on you. There’s always something that’s going to happen, but there’s going to be hope on the other side.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

We set pretty audacious fundraising goals, and when we first talked about a half million, I was hesitant. We have a team of five and 15 board members. But by using all of our strengths, we were able to meet that.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

You get more out of it than what you give. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know people outside my field and figuring out how we can work towards a common goal.

Also, people going through cancer sometimes have to give up their pets for one reason or another. Our clubhouse has a support dog now, Hank. People can make appointments to cuddle with him. And we’re going to have a children’s book published called Hank Heels next year.

Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about.

Our third annual gala will be in April, at which we’ll recognize some of our long-term contributors and introduce our members and their stories. We also have a walk to support Gilda’s and volunteer appreciation events. We have over 1,000 members receiving support. We’re just going to keep that up and identify needs in the community.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

It makes our community stronger. And it gives you a purpose. Helping the community is part of the fiber of who my family is, and now I’m hoping to model that for my daughters. There are so many people out there who have needs but are afraid to ask for help.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Because people know I’m involved with Gilda’s, people have told me about how they’re volunteering. One friend who loves rock climbing is belaying for people with Parkinson’s at our local Vertical Endeavors. Somebody else is coaching a basketball team.

Ask somebody where they volunteer or give money. Start a conversation. Especially in small communities, they always need people with a skill set and acumen to organize and provide service.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I didn’t think I had the skill set to take over this board chair position. But I can coordinate and organize and do logistics. When you surround yourself with really high-quality people, it’s amazing what you can accomplish.

There is always another season in your life. And despite our darkest days, we can still laugh, be together and find comfort in community.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Eva? Find local volunteer opportunities.