We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Simon Davies. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Simon below.
Hi Simon, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
There is a great traditional Irish saying that I believe in. ‘When you come up against a brick wall, throw your hat over it, then figure out how to get your hat back”.
Life is full of challenges and obstacles, many of which appear insurmountable at times. Its a question of believing that there is a way to overcome them and having the patience and determination to make it happen. When Teen Cancer America started 11 years ago there were no programs specifically designed for young people with cancer. Teens were isolated in hospitals amongst little children and young adults were isolated in hospitals amongst old people. Nobody was showing much interest in change. Now we have developed almost 60 programs across the US that are dedicated to adolescents and young adults with cancer. The momentum has shifted and now we have hospitals lining up to work with us.
I believe that the root of my optimism came from my personal determination to untangle the problems of my own family and use that experience for good.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Heading up the US charity of the legendary rock band The Who, is an honor. However, our work for young people with cancer is the real privilege. Like the disruptors The Who were in their heyday Teen Cancer America is a disruptor in the US health system – for all the right reasons. I came to LA in 2013 to set up the charity after the success I had with The Who’s UK charity that also supports young people with cancer. There is no good time to get cancer but being a teen or a young adult is the worst. Too old to fit into the children’s hospitals or too young to fit in with all the old people. And at the most vulnerable time of life, that is difficult enough to navigate anyway, let alone with a diagnosis of cancer. Our positive ‘disruption’ is to create programs and facilities specifically for young people. To differentiate from the children and the old folk that they would otherwise have to tolerate. We build teams of staff that are experts in working with young people and we design and create very cool state-of-the-art spaces that are exclusively designed for them. We know that this improves their experience, their outcomes, and their chances of survival.
When we started in 2013 there were no programs for young people. This year we will develop our 60th. That excites me! We still have another 100 to go but we are on a roll. We will change the system for every young person!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
There is a wonderful Irish saying that goes “If you come up against brick wall, throw your hat over it. Then figure out how to get your hat back”. There will always be challenges and obstacles in life that will seem insurmountable. I’ve found that with patience and care there is usually a solution. You just have to work out the best way to get over that wall.
Take time to understand the people that affect your life and your business. So many difficulties can be avoided if you learn what you can about the people that can impact you and your work, both positively and negatively. Learn how to get the best out of them.
Be kind. It doesn’t cost a thing and acts of kindness will give you the best returns of all.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We are on look-out for individuals and business collaborators with a sound philosophy of philanthropy, that care about the health of our youth and who want to partner with a very cool charity. Let’s be creative about how we can help you and your business whilst we all help young people with cancer and improve their chances of survival.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.teencanceramerica.org
- Instagram: @teencanceramerica
- Facebook: TeenCancerAmerica
- Linkedin: Teen Cancer America
- Twitter: @TeenCancerUSA
- Youtube: @TeenCancerAmerica
- Other: tik-tok: teencanceramerica
