Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center Recognizes Center Volunteers

Anna B. Lipsey 2014 Volunteer of the Year Award Presented

  (Baton Rouge, La.) Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center recently honored its many volunteers at a special appreciation luncheon, including a 20-year volunteer who received a prestigious award bestowed annually to the most outstanding volunteer. “On behalf of the Center and and its board of directors, I am honored to share in this wonderful event celebrating our dedicated and cherished volunteers,” said Todd Stevens, president and CEO, Mary Bird Perkins during the May 13 luncheon at the Baton Rouge Country Club. (Left to right: Todd Stevens, Linda Lee, Kay Deumite, Susan Lipsey, Richard Lipsey, Dr. Tom Meek) Cancer Center Administrator, Linda Lee, thanked volunteers for their contributions of time, talent and heart, saying, “Volunteers offer something special that cannot be duplicated by anyone else.” Her remarks included an update on the major renovation and expansion project underway at Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center, and the important role volunteers will play in ensuring patients receive the most compassionate, indivdualized care possible. Susan and Richard Lipsey hosted the celebration and presented the Anna B. Lipsey Memorial Volunteer Service Award, named after Richard’s mother, to patient volunteer Kay Deumite of Baton Rouge. Deumite has been a vounteer at the Cancer Center for almost two decades, and through her unremitting donation of time, has shared her spirit of compassion and hope with countless numbers of cancer patients and family members.  Upon receiving her award, she took the opportunity to encourage others to follow in her footsteps. “Ask any volunteer here today and they’ll tell you we get back a whole lot more than we could ever give,” said Deumite. “So if anyone knows someone who wants to volunteer, tell them to come join us.” 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 Anna B. Lipsey Memorial Volunteer Service Award, begun in 1986, is presented each year to the volunteer(s) who best expemplifies the volunteer spirit and dedication for which Lipsey was known. Mary Bird Perkins—Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center is the most comprehensive cancer center in Louisiana offering patients the convenience of receiving high-quality, advanced care close to home. The Cancer Center is part of the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP), a group of competitively selected cancer centers developing a national model for community cancer care.