High Plains Volunteers Honored

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a lifelong commitment by an American Cancer Society volunteer at the community level.  This award recognizes the cumulative accomplishments of veteran/tenured volunteers.  Each year, the American Cancer Society, High Plains Division, bestows the Lifetime Achievement Awards to outstanding volunteers in each region.

Seven long-time American Cancer Society volunteers were recently recognized by the High Plains Division Board of Directors for their contributions in the fight against cancer. The Society’s Lifetime Achievement awards are given out annually to volunteers who have served in three or more leadership positions and have dedicated 15 years or longer to the Society’s mission.

A special Thank You to all of our 2010 Lifetime Achievement Awards winners: 

	Nell Kothmann from Uvalde, Texas, began volunteering decades ago when there was a need for hand-sewn pillows for women who had undergone breast cancer surgery. As a high school nurse, Nell taught hundreds of girls how to perform breast self-examinations. Nell herself was struck by breast cancer in 1988. Once her treatment was over, Nell became a Reach to Recovery® volunteer and now visits women who are diagnosed with the disease.
	Billie Jo Henry of Port Arthur, Texas, has served as a volunteer for more than 40 years. She was instrumental in starting the Board of Directors and Relay For Life in South Jeff. She has chaired many activities over the years and has served in several leadership roles locally. Her Relay team has placed number one in fund raising for the past six years – a title she is very proud of.
	Patricia H. Carter of El Paso, Texas, started her volunteer service with the Society more than three decades ago in New Orleans. In 1990, Patricia moved west and began volunteering in many capacities for the Texas Division. Her most notable accomplishment is in the area of advocacy where she helped pass a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance in El Paso. Patricia is also a nurse and cancer survivor and is seen by many as a “volunteer for all seasons.”
	Staff working in the Topeka, Kansas office think 18-year volunteer Sue Jirkovsky-Landers needs her own office desk since she spends so much of her time dedicated to the fight against cancer. Known as the backbone of the Society’s Reach to Recovery program in Kansas, Sue has worked tirelessly to make sure this vital service is reaching all newly diagnosed patients. She has also been of member of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) since the beginning, serving currently as an official Ambassador Constituent Team (ACT) lead.
	Kim Sevening of Waterloo, Neb., started volunteering with the Society at an information booth at her county fair 40 years ago. That led to work on the Society’s door-to-door campaigns, hosting teas, and writing memorial thank-you notes. Since then, Kim has served in more than a dozen leadership roles for the Society. This service includes serving as chair of the Relay For Life of Douglas County for five years and sponsorship chair since 2002.
	In the past 41 years, Dr. Gerald L. Woolam, Jr., from Lubbock, Texas, has dedicated his talents and passion to numerous positions within the Society both in his community and nationwide. Most recently, Dr. Woolam was part of the campaign to bring a Hope Lodge® to Lubbock.
	In September, Emily Barton from Crane, Texas, celebrated 51 years as a Society volunteer. Having worked at M.D. Anderson for a number of years, Emily is so well-known that people from all over the region call seeking her help. She is the main contact for patients contacting the Society after they are diagnosed. She has also served in a variety of leadership roles including chair of the local Relay.

The American Cancer Society is always in need of additional volunteers to help save lives and create a world with more birthdays. To learn more visit the High Plains Volunteering Opportunities page, you can also call 1-800-227-2345 anytime or contact your local office for opportunities in your area.

For information about nominating someone for 2011 please contact kathy.sullivan@cancer.org.

To learn more about High Plains Division news and events go to www.cancernewsnow.org.