AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY HONORS VOLUNTEERS

Competition for volunteers in Cape Girardeau is stiff, so the American Cancer Society is grateful for its dedicated group of fund-raising volunteers.

Dozens of people received awards Wednesday night at the Cape Girardeau Country Club during the American Cancer Society's annual meeting and awards banquet.

With contributions of time, talent and resources, volunteers are helping to win the fight against cancer, said Stephanie Kasten, retiring president.

The American Cancer Society is best known in Cape Girardeau for it annual gala fund-raiser. The event helps provide money for research and advances in medicine. Other programs include the Jail and Bail, the Great American Smokeout and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"All of these programs and services are possible because of the funds raised by our talented and dedicated volunteers," Kasten said. "If we continue to increase our fund raising efforts we can all share in the victory over cancer as a major health problem."

Cancer Society fund-raisers have earned $2.9 million in Missouri for grants and research.

Volunteers who received awards for their fund-raising efforts were Marge Grindstaff and Edna Murphy, memorials in Jackson and Cape Girardeau, respectively; Amy Jacquin, community crusade chair; Frances Hahs, Appleton area chair; Retta Miller, Stacy and Steve Christiansen, Laura Sparkman and Kevin Wibbenmeyer, Jail and Bail; Martha and Robin Kinney and Jerri and John Wyman, Gala chairs.

Unit service awards for leadership and dedication were presented to Stephanie Kasten, president; Karen Green, vice president; Cathy Mehner, secretary/treasurer; and Janet Esicar, volunteer involvement chairman.

Other volunteers who were honored include Barbara Crowell and Nancy Stricker, co-chairman of Breast Cancer Control project; Marilyn Welsh, Evelyn Lee, Gerri Stone and Maggie Friend, Breast Cancer Awareness program; Judy Stricker, Gail Seabaugh, Jerrell Driver and Terri Hirsch, youth and adult education; Deborah Wooldridge, comprehensive school health education committee; Cheryl Klueppel and Julie Metzger, patient service chairmen; Grace Hoover, Art Mattingly, Charlotte Lanpher, Verna Dell Petzoldt and Beverly Banks, volunteer visitors with Reach to Recovery; Emily Tuschoff and Carolyn Rouviere, Look Good, Feel Better program; Sarah Holt, Ambassador of Hope chairman; and Karen Grebing, legacy and planned giving committee.

Both Southeast Missouri Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center were recognized for their partnership in cancer control.

New officers for the 1996-97 year are Karen Green, president; Sarah Holt, vice president; Dr. Jayne Scherrman, secretary; Dr. Celia Chan, medical adviser.