Mary Bird Perkins Recognizes Center Volunteers
Anna B. Lipsey Volunteer of the Year Award Presented
Photo available for download. Captions available at end of release.
(Baton Rouge) - Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center volunteer Ed Burke has received the Anna B. Lipsey Memorial Volunteer of the Year award for 2008. A cancer survivor, Burke began volunteering just prior to his retirement from UniRoyal in 2003 as a senior chemist. “I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002,” he said. “My treatment at Mary Bird Perkins was so positive and compassionate that I began volunteering while I was undergoing treatment. There are such good doctors here. My cancer is completely gone. I just can’t say enough.”
The award, named for the late community activist and one of the Center’s original founders, was presented by Susan Lipsey who spoke on behalf of her husband Richard -- Anna Lipsey’s son -- who was unable to attend the Center’s annual volunteer recognition luncheon given in honor of all volunteers at the Center. A recognition committee comprised of Center staff and volunteers selects the honoree through a deliberative process that begins with nominations from staff.
Susan Lipsey told those assembled that nominating comments about Burke included references to his incredible kindness, appropriate sense of humor and willingness to do anything asked of him. “Mr. Burke is the very definition of an Anna B. Lipsey volunteer of the year,” she said.
Anna B. Lipsey was a founder of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and served as secretary-treasurer of the board from 1968 until shortly before her death in 1985. The Volunteer Service Award is given each year to the volunteer who best exemplifies the volunteer spirit and dedication for which Mrs. Lipsey was known.
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About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center:
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has been fighting cancer for over 35 years. It is the only nonprofit cancer treatment, education and research facility in Louisiana providing state-of-the-art radiation therapy to all community residents regardless of ability to pay. Mary Bird Perkins has integrated cancer programs with Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center in Baton Rouge and St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. These programs are accredited by the American College of Surgeons –the gold standard for community-based cancer care. The Center also enjoys a long-standing relationship with North Oaks Hospital in Hammond.
About the CARE Network:
The mission of the CARE Network (Cancer Support Services, Awareness and Education, Research and Early Detection) is to lessen the burden of cancer in the community. Established in 2002, it is funded by gifts from the community and provides hundreds of programs and services, including free cancer screenings, to thousands of people every year. The research and academic medical physics partnership with MBP and Louisiana State University is also funded in part by the CARE Network. The Center has locations in Baton Rouge, Covington and Hammond.
Photo 1 Caption
Susan Lipsey and Ed Burke