AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S LOCAL UNIT HONORS VOLUNTEER EFFORTS DURING 1994

The Cape Girardeau County Unit of the American Cancer Society held its annual meeting Thursday night at the Cape Girardeau Country Club.

Volunteers were honored for the past year's efforts, and new members were elected to the board.

Outgoing President Marlena Pind began the meeting by introducing two cancer survivors, Lexi Ramsey and Sonya Norman. "Their personal experience is a reminder of why we are all volunteers," she said.

"Their heartwarming stories have rededicated many of us to the mission of the American Cancer Society," she said, thanking them for making their stories public.

Officers approved for the coming year included: Jackie Clark as president, Stephanie Kasten as vice president, Cathy Mehner as secretary, Karen Green as treasurer, and Dr. C. John Ritter as medical adviser.

Unit awards were presented to outgoing officers, Pind as president, Jackie Clark as vice president and Judy Below as secretary.

Kathy Swan and Art Mattingly were honored with program volunteer awards for their work in public issues.

Nancy Mattingly was honored as a special program volunteer for nine years of continued support of American Cancer Society programs.

Community awards were presented to: The Southeast Missouri for the ACS Cape Unit annual report, Tip Off Magazine for Gala publicity, and Zimmer Broadcasting for Jail and Bail and Great American Smokeout publicity.

Partners in Cancer Control awards were presented to Southeast Regional Cancer Center and St. Francis Medical Center. Viney Mosley, area vice president, said both institutions sponsor ongoing programming with the American Cancer Society that benefit the community.

The special program award went to "Breast Cancer Awareness Month," which was chaired last October by Patti Talley.

Program awards were presented to: Janet Esicar and Terry Drury; Jail and Bail 1993 co-chairmen Margie Grindstaff and Esther Kirby; and Gala committee members Jerry and Barbara McClanahan, Betsy Richey and Greg Deimund. Chris and Kyle Brost, co-chairmen of the 1994 Gala, received special honors.

Dr. Sue Sheets was honored for her nine years as chairman of reservations. Deb Wooldrige was honored for two years on the Gala committee, Terry McDowell was recognized as decorating chairman in 1994, and Bonnie and Bernard Chaudoir were honored for the 1994 auction.

Patient service awards were given to Road to Recovery. Nancy Mattingly said, "These volunteers drive cancer patients to treatments, and are providing a wonderful service to our cancer patients." Volunteer coordinators for the program are Grace Hoover and Jo Ann Fee. Drivers Art Mattingly and Mary Scheigel were also honored.

Also honored was the "Reach to Recovery" program, a volunteer visitor program for women with breast cancer. It's an ongoing program coordinated by Julie Storey at Southeast Missouri Hospital and Carolyn Brune of St. Francis Medical Center. More than 75 visits are made annually.

The "Look Good and Feel Better" program was also recognized. It helps cancer patients with hair design and makeup. Oftentimes, these patients going through treatment experience changes in skin color and hair texture, said Nancy Mattingly. "This program helps the patients get back into looking better thus feeling better about themselves," she said.

Some of trained volunteers who lead makeup sessions include: Emily Tuschoff, Jodi Montgomery, Carolyn Rouvier, and Carol Thomure.

A special award was also presented to retiring volunteer Esther Kirby, who has served 26 years as an ACS volunteer.

"She has supported the unit daily for the past 14 years as memorial chairman," said Mosley. "It is an honor to have known and worked with her. I am proud to present this Silver Tray to Esther Kirby. ... She will remain on the board as a lifetime member of the unit."

Woods also saluted the many volunteers who have worked with the unit during her last 12 years as area director. "I salute each of you," she added.