Volunteer Spotlight: Kelly Meyers
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we’re happy to share stories and insights from some of our volunteers across the country. Kelly Meyers is the President of the CItyCURRENT Nashville Market and serves on CARES Host Committee for Scott Hamilton & Friends. Kelly engages her network at cityCURRENT, where their mission is to "Power The Good," to promote our event and sponsors through cityCURRENT. Kelly connects CARES with great supporters all year long.
Kelly (left) with CARES Founder Scott Hamilton
What inspired you to start volunteering with CARES? Is there a personal connection to cancer that makes our mission especially meaningful for you?
My first connection with CARES came through our cityCURRENT organization, where I had the opportunity to meet [CARES Executive Director] Karri and Scott Hamilton and learn more about the incredible work being done.
This mission is deeply personal for me. My father passed away at just 54 from a very rare form of lung cancer—one that had little research and even fewer treatment options at the time. He endured devastating surgeries and radiation that essentially burned his body from the inside out. Watching someone you love suffer like that, while feeling completely helpless, is something that stays with you forever.
That’s why the work CARES is doing means so much to me. It’s not just about fighting cancer—it’s about preserving the quality of life for patients along the way. I truly believe no one should have to walk this journey alone, and Scott and the CARES team are working every day to make sure they don’t have to.
Can you share a moment or experience from your time with CARES that stands out?
One of the highlights each year is the Scott Hamilton & Friends event. Seeing the community come together and sharing stories of hope, resilience, and healing is incredibly moving. It’s become a meaningful kickoff to our holiday season.
Another moment that stands out was when Scott spoke at one of our cityCURRENT Signature Speaker Series breakfast events. Hearing the “why” behind CARES—his personal journey and unwavering fighting spirit—left a lasting impression on me. His courage is not only inspiring, it’s contagious.
Has your involvement with the foundation changed how you look at cancer research? What does it feel like knowing you’re helping power life-saving breakthroughs?
Absolutely. I’ll never forget sitting in a recent steering committee meeting as Scott and Karri walked through the research being funded and the breakthroughs that are genuinely within reach.
In that moment, I thought about the countless people who hear the words, “You have cancer.” And now, because of this work, more and more of them will also hear, “There is hope, and there is a plan.”
That realization was incredibly emotional for me. These are people with families, dreams, and futures ahead of them, and CARES is helping make sure they get to keep living those lives. To even be in the room and play a small part in that is an honor I don’t take lightly. What my family would be like today if we still had our Dad and he was here to see his grandkids is only something I can dream about. These families are now able to keep dreaming thanks to CARES.
What would you tell someone who’s thinking about volunteering with CARES?
Cancer has touched all of us in some way, which means this mission is personal for all of us.
You don’t need to have millions of dollars to make a difference. You just need a heart to serve.
If you’ve ever felt the pull to give back or get involved, don’t wait. Don’t overthink it. Ask how you can help—today. Because what CARES is doing is changing lives, and there is a place for everyone to be part of that impact.
Kelly’s father
