Working to Defy Cancer: Javi Meléndez

This post is part of a series highlighting staff members within Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund’s Division of Philanthropy, to give supporters an inside peek at life at one of New England’s favorite charities. Today, we’re talking to Assistant Director of Video Production, Javi Meléndez.

What brought you to Dana-Farber?

What brought me to Dana-Farber was the desire for a mission. Our son, Rafa, was born with a serious health condition, and our family was so blessed in receiving the amazing care we did at Boston Children’s Hospital. He's 9 now and doing great. In looking for work that provided me with that sense of meaning and fueled with the sense of gratitude we felt for the larger Boston medical community, I ended up at Dana-Farber.

Can you describe your role here?

I work with our in-house creative and marketing teams to fulfill the video needs of the Division. I spend my time concepting, scripting, filming, and editing video content to be used across all of our channels. Above all, my job here is to be a storyteller; capturing and sharing the amazing, everyday stories that walk the halls of Dana-Farber.

Is there anything you would like to share about working at Dana-Farber and the Division of Philanthropy with prospective candidates?

The Division of Philanthropy has a sense of camaraderie; everyone is working for a common goal that goes beyond a bottom line or returns to shareholders. Even on my toughest days here, the fact that we are all working to defy cancer makes it easier.

What does it mean to you to work here and support Dana-Farber’s lifesaving mission to defy cancer?

Working here means a whole lot to me. My family has been privileged enough to receive amazing care from the Longwood area hospitals. Frankly, my son would not be here without the incredible talent and knowledge of the Boston medical community. The fact that I can pay it forward, where my work and effort can help another family like mine, keeps me coming back.

Are there any memories of working here that stand out to you?

My favorite memories working for the Division of Philanthropy are the conversations I’m privileged to have with patients and their caretakers. Whether it’s after a treatment or at one of our major events, I am always taken aback by the community’s willingness to entrust us with their very impactful and personal stories. There are many patients that, years later, I still think of because of the deep impact the resilience and strength of their stories have had on me.

If you are interested in exploring a career in Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund’s Division of Philanthropy, we invite you to check out our careers page to learn about our culture, view open roles, or register for an upcoming virtual Information Session.