“Every 15 seconds in the U.S., someone hears the words — ‘you have cancer.’” Whether through our own experience or through someone we love, cancer impacts us all. That’s why over 1,200 ComEd employees voted to support cancer awareness, prevention, and treatment, and specifically the American Cancer Society (ACS), as the energy company’s 2025 Cause of the Year. Earlier this month, employees along with family and friends rallied together to raise funds and awareness at the 54th annual Walk & Roll Chicago.
A Champion for the Cause
Leading the ComEd charge, and fortifying support for cancer patients and caregivers through all walks of his life, is Dan Gabel, vice president of ComEd’s smart meter operations and large customer services. Dan stepped up as ComEd’s executive champion for this year’s cause. In this role, Dan not only encourages employees and peers to support ACS, he breaks down barriers of vulnerability by using his personal journey to beating cancer as powerful advocacy for the importance of building a strong support system and empowering caregivers.
“That’s one of my goals this year—as I share my story, I hope it encourages other people to reach out, ask questions, and be more comfortable sharing their own stories,” Dan said. “If there’s any way that I can help people, at least they know they have somebody to talk to.”
Dan’s leadership helped motivate the company to exceed its fundraising goal of $75,000, contributing to a total of over $380,000 that has been raised so far for the 2025 Walk & Roll Chicago. In May of 2017, Dan was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This was a moment that changed everything for Dan, but the overwhelming fear and uncertainty that set in quickly transformed into feelings of comfort and assurance that he was not alone in his battle. Love and support came pouring in from family, neighbors, coworkers, and most of all, his wife Peggy.
Advocate for Caregiver Support
“With this Cause of the Year, I want to shine a light on how important the role of caregivers is, not only to the individual dealing with cancer, but to put a focus on the needs of the caregivers—they carry such a heavy load, I know Peggy did, and they need resources just as the individuals going through the disease do,” Dan said.
After five months of treatment and unwavering support from loved ones, as well as a second opinion from his team at the University of Chicago, Dan was declared cancer-free in October of 2017.
“Advice I have is to definitely get a second opinion if you have that opportunity, and most times you do,” Dan said. “Otherwise, make sure you lean on your support network, particularly when people reach out to you. It’s okay to be vulnerable. Just the act of reaching out to somebody makes all the difference in the world—the words you use don’t matter nearly as much as the act of reaching out and letting them know you care.”
Immense love and gratitude for Peggy motivates Dan to be a voice for the support of caregivers, something that Dan believes is vital for giving cancer patients their best chance at beating their disease. He encourages those supporting cancer patients to take advantage of the resources ACS tailors to caregivers, found at this link.
“Peggy means everything to me,” said Dan. “I couldn’t have dealt with everything as well as I did without having her in my corner. I always say she is my rock and my angel, and that’s exactly what she was when I needed her most—she kept me grounded and focused on what was important, she knew what to be in every moment.”
A Lasting Impact
Determined to uplift cancer awareness and support for patients and caregivers all year long, Dan also supported a volunteer event led by Melissa Washington, senior vice president of ComEd customer operations and strategic initiatives, with ACS where ComEd employees assembled 200 care bags along with notes of encouragement for patients undergoing cancer treatment. The care packages were donated on behalf of ComEd to a hospital in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood and a cancer treatment center in River Forest, IL.
As a 35-year veteran of ComEd, Dan said he wasn’t surprised by his colleagues’ support but expressed how impressed he was by the outpouring of compassion from his coworkers after being diagnosed.
“They let me know that my number one job and focus needed to be on beating this thing,” Dan said. “The flexibility they gave me in managing my treatment without any work expectations, while having the option to work and go to the office at my own pace, helped give a sense of normalcy in my life which I needed to keep me grounded.”
Evolving Through Recovery
Instead of dwelling on dark times throughout recovery, Dan leans into the lessons he learned and the strength he developed to uplift other cancer patients and shine a light on the incredible difference that caregivers make.
“This journey absolutely changed my life and my outlook,” Dan said. “One of the things that really struck me is the way that people and support came to me without having to ask. Certainly, I hope I am more empathetic to what’s happening in other people’s lives. We don’t always know what somebody may be dealing with in their personal life, so I try to be more understanding and give people grace when they need it.”
As Dan continues to inspire and garner support for cancer patients and their caregivers, consider donating to Dan’s fundraising page or taking advantage of the wealth of information and resources the ACS provides. Follow along with ComEd social media to stay up to date with Cause of the Year initiatives and watch the video below to relive the powerful event.
