We had the good fortune of connecting with Darcie Wells and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darcie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I consider risk an essential ingredient for growth and innovation.

In my nonprofit career, I’ve come to see risk-taking as fundamental to creating meaningful impact. The nonprofit space actually requires more entrepreneurial grit and spirit than many people realize—we have to be willing to fail and take calculated risks while often operating with limited resources to accomplish ambitious goals.

Risk has been central to my career trajectory, from my pivot from HR into nonprofit development to expanding CanCare from a regional to a national organization. One of the most significant risks we took was during COVID when we were forced to move from in-person connections to virtual support. There was genuine concern about losing the personal touch that defined our organization. However, embracing this risk transformed us almost overnight from a Houston-based service to one reaching all 50 states.

My approach to risk is balanced. I believe in being humble enough to listen and seek great advice while bold enough to take calculated risks under good counsel. I often tell my team that without risk, there is no growth. The key is creating an environment where thoughtful risk-taking is encouraged and supported by strong partnerships and collaborative thinking.

Risk isn’t about recklessness; it’s about seeing possibilities where others might see obstacles and having the courage to move toward them with wisdom and boldness.

What should our readers know about your business?
CanCare is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, and what truly sets us apart is our laser focus on the emotional support side of the cancer journey. While many cancer organizations address medical treatment or research, we fill a critical gap by matching newly diagnosed patients with survivors who have experienced the exact same type of cancer, treatment, and life stage. This precision matching creates authentic connections that academic studies show lead to better health outcomes.

I’m most proud of how we’ve transformed from a regional to a national organization in recent years. Before COVID, we primarily connected people in person in the Houston area. When the pandemic hit, we were forced to reimagine our service model virtually—a risk that paid tremendous dividends. Today, we’ve served clients in all 50 states and have volunteers in 28 states. What seemed like a potential setback became a catalyst for national expansion.

I’m particularly excited about our recently launched “CanCare Connect” system. It empowers clients to choose their own support matches based on what matters most to them, whether that’s the specific cancer type, treatment approach, or life circumstances like being a parent of young children. This innovation puts more control in the hands of those going through cancer, which aligns perfectly with our mission.

The journey certainly hasn’t been easy. Leading a nonprofit requires wearing multiple hats and making the most of limited resources. I’ve learned to surround myself with people smarter than me in every aspect of the business, to be humble enough to listen to their advice, and to be bold enough to take calculated risks under good counsel. The Truth and Grace philosophy has guided me—speaking truth when necessary while extending grace to myself and others through challenges.

One of our biggest challenges was scaling our training program to prepare volunteers nationwide. Our training, designed by mental health professionals, is intensive and helps survivors process their own cancer experience before supporting others. Moving this online while maintaining its emotional depth required innovation, but it’s enabled us to expand our reach exponentially.

What I want the world to know about CanCare is that we believe no one should face cancer alone. Last year, our 500+ trained volunteer survivors provided one-on-one support to nearly 1,600 clients, while our hospital visitation volunteers reached over 10,000 patients. Yet we’ve only scratched the surface of the need. Cancer is too tough to face without emotional support, and having someone by your side who has walked that exact path before brings an irreplaceable message of hope.

The stories we hear daily from clients whose lives were transformed by a simple human connection remind us why this work matters. Seeing cancer survivors come full circle—from receiving support to giving it—is the heart of our brand and story. This cycle of hope and healing is what makes CanCare unique, and it’s what drives our vision that no one should ever face cancer alone.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have to admit, when I’m not working, my favorite place to be is at home with my family! We have this wonderful chaos with two boys learning instruments and enjoying each other’s company. But Houston has so much to offer visitors, which makes it special—we can customize a week for anyone based on their interests.

For dining, I’d definitely take them to Lupe Tortilla—it’s our family’s go-to spot for the absolute best fajitas and margaritas in town! Houston’s food scene is incredibly diverse, reflecting our international population, but I have a special place in my heart for excellent Mexican food.

A day trip to Galveston would be non-negotiable on our itinerary. There’s something magical about the combination of beautiful Gulf views, delicious seafood, and rich history. Walking along the seawall, exploring the historic district, and perhaps taking a tour of one of the beautifully preserved Victorian homes gives visitors a sense of Texas history that surprises many people.

What makes Houston such a fantastic place to host visitors is its versatility. If visitors are into arts and culture, they could spend days exploring the Museum District. For space enthusiasts, Space Center Houston offers an incredible behind-the-scenes look at NASA. Nature lovers would enjoy Buffalo Bayou Park or the Houston Arboretum.

But honestly, what I love most about Houston isn’t just the attractions—it’s the warmth of the people and the surprising ways this sprawling city feels like a collection of neighborhoods, each with its own character. It’s a place where Southern hospitality meets international diversity, creating an atmosphere that welcomes everyone. That’s what I’d want my visitors to experience most of all.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout goes to the mentors and supervisors throughout my career who embodied what I’ve come to embrace as my own leadership philosophy: a balance of Truth and Grace. These were leaders who cared enough about my growth to offer honest, sometimes difficult feedback, while also extending the grace and support needed to implement that feedback effectively.

Throughout my career journey, I’ve had supervisors who mastered this delicate balance—they trusted me with increasing responsibility while providing candid assessments of my performance.

What I value most about these relationships is that they never told me what I wanted to hear, but they delivered truth with compassion. Their willingness to have uncomfortable conversations accelerated my growth and helped me learn lessons that might have taken years to discover. I’ve always believed that feedback is a gift and hungered for it throughout my career.

I also have to credit the boards I’ve worked with who have challenged my thinking, pushed me to take smart risks, and supported my vision even when it meant venturing into uncharted territory. The transformation we’ve achieved at CanCare, especially during the pandemic, wouldn’t have been possible without their wisdom and encouragement.

These mentoring relationships have shaped not only my career but also my own leadership approach. They taught me that authentic leadership requires both truth and grace: the courage to speak honestly and the compassion to help others grow through that honesty. This philosophy now guides how I lead my team, engage with our volunteers, and ultimately serve our cancer community.

Website: https://www.cancare.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darciecwells/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cancarevideos

Image Credits
Daniel Ortiz Photography

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