This Father’s Day, Noel Reflects on What Matters Most

ICRF Leader Shares his Cancer Journey

Noel doesn’t make a big deal out of Father’s Day. For him, it’s a regular Sunday—a family dinner, a few texts with friends. Nothing fancy.

But that doesn’t mean the day isn’t moving for him.

As a father and cancer survivor, Noel is deeply rooted in family, resilience, and the importance of passing lessons and values through generations. When he was 13, his grandfather—who survived the Holocaust—took him to Berlin to see where their family had lived and what they experienced. It was a trip Noel will never forget, and one that shaped how he views what it’s like to be strong and resilient.

Years later, Noel’s own strength was tested.

The Diagnosis

At 45, Noel was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma—a cancer that begins in the immune system when white blood cells grow out of control. A symptom is painless swelling, and Noel had a lump on his neck—a swollen lymph node that became more visible after he lost weight during a fitness kick. He also felt extreme fatigue and knew something wasn’t right.

After undergoing tests, doctors were initially unsure about his illness. They thought he was either too young or too old to have Hodgkin’s lymphoma, it’s most common in early adulthood or over 55.

The hardest part of Noel’s journey wasn’t the diagnosis, the uncertainty, or even the treatment—it was telling his children. Their maternal grandmother had died of cancer long before they were born, yet her absence was felt every day. Noel knew what the word “cancer” meant to them and feared how they would take the news.

He finally worked up the nerve to sit them down and tell them he had cancer. But he assured them he would be okay.

And luckily, he was right.

Treatment and Support

He went on to receive an aggressive treatment plan consisting of 12 chemotherapy treatments over six months followed by 18 rounds of radiation.

Noel recounts the incredible support he received from his children during this time. After his third round of chemotherapy, they went away to summer camp. The world is very small, and coincidentally his cancer center’s nurse practitioner was part of the medical team at the camp and gave his children regular updates on his positive response to the treatment.

Today, Noel is three years cancer-free.

Every morning, he starts his day with a workout before diving into his work as an accomplished strategic leader in the technology sector. This healthy lifestyle helped him power through chemotherapy and radiation. He continued working throughout treatment, missing only a few days.

Through it all, he still shows up for everything—for his family, his community, and the causes he believes in.

Giving Back and Paying it Forward

Noel is a dedicated ICRF board member of the Chicago chapter since 2022. Though he was introduced to the organization about 15 years ago, after beating cancer he became involved thanks to the urging of his neighbor Chip Serlin, past Chair of ICRF’s Chicago chapter and current Vice President of ICRF’s International Board of Trustees.

“ICRF is an incredible organization and it’s so very necessary. It has such a powerful mission.”

As a technology professional who collaborates with teams in Tel Aviv, Noel sees firsthand the innovation and fearlessness driving Israeli science. He knows ICRF’s research is exactly what the world needs to beat cancer. Israel’s creative thinkers are not afraid to fail—failure leads to trying new things, and ultimately to new successes. Noel aims to help build more awareness of ICRF and is looking to reach more people in the Chicago metro area.

Noel instilled the values of philanthropy in his kids, and his family is involved in meaningful causes, too. His wife works for a nonprofit organization that encourages young people to give back to those less fortunate.

Father’s Day Gratitude

This Father’s Day, and every day, he is grateful to his own father, who will do anything for the family, especially his grandchildren, and to his grandfather, for teaching him about his important legacy.

Noel and his wife are incredibly proud of their children, who will be heading off to college in the fall.

While Father’s Day may be a simple, low-key gathering, it’s everything Noel could ask for.

His story represents survival, legacy, and the belief that tomorrow can be better than today.

Join us in supporting the future of cancer research. Help ensure more fathers, grandfathers, and families have more time together.