Joseph T. Norton
Joseph T. Norton is the President and Co-Founder of Rise to Life Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by cancer. A resilient cancer survivor himself, Joseph brings not only leadership and vision to the foundation, but a deeply personal understanding of the battle that so many face.

Originally from Alabama and Annapolis, Maryland, Joseph now resides with his wife in Middletown, Delaware. He is a retired executive chef whose career was defined by excellence in service, leadership, and hospitality. Through decades in the culinary field, Joseph managed teams, orchestrated high-pressure environments, and planned operations with precision and care—skills he now channels into the strategic growth and mission of Rise to Life Foundation.

His journey with cancer was not theoretical—it was lived, endured, and overcome. He has witnessed the emotional strain, the financial weight, and the physical toll that cancer places on patients and their loved ones. He has faced it head-on, battled through the treatments, and emerged cancer-free with a renewed purpose: to ensure no one else walks this path alone.

With profound empathy and firsthand knowledge, Joseph leads Rise to Life Foundation with conviction and heart. His mission is clear—to lift the heavy burdens that come with a diagnosis so that patients can focus fully on what matters most: their treatment, healing, and recovery.

Joseph is committed to building a strong, responsive support network for cancer patients and their families—providing health care navigation support, access to essential resources such as transportation, nutrition, mental wellness, financial aid, and spiritual support. His leadership is driven by the belief that every person deserves dignity, peace of mind, and a fair chance to reclaim their life.

At Rise to Life Foundation, Joseph is not only the voice of experience—he is the engine of hope. His passion, courage, and relentless dedication continue to shape the foundation’s mission and inspire others to rise, rebuild, and thrive.