Mary Bird Perkins Recognizes Center Volunteers

Anna B. Lipsey 2013 Volunteer of the Year Award Presented

  (Baton Rouge, La.) Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (MBPCC) honored its many volunteers at a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at the Baton Rouge Country Club Thursday, May 9. “On behalf of the Center and its board of directors, I am honored to share in this wonderful event celebrating our dedicated and cherished volunteers,” said Todd Stevens, presidents and CEO, Mary Bird Perkins. Dr. Tom Meek, newly elected Chair, MBPCC’s board of directors, said it is the hands-on volunteers who make Mary Bird Perkins so special.  “You are the heart and soul of the Center,” he told those assembled. 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 Jack Stokeld of Baton Rouge. Stokeld became a volunteer at Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center a little more than a year ago to honor his late wife, Betty, following her eight years of treatment at the Center. Before retiring “Mr. Jack” was employed for 40 years by the EBR Parish school system, including 25 years as Principal of Robert E. Lee High School. Upon receiving his award he took the opportunity to encourage others to follow in his footsteps. “If you have time on your hands, Mary Bird Perkins is a great place to volunteer,” he said. “You meet and greet people who need all the greetings they can get.” 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 exemplifies the volunteer spirit and dedication for which Mrs. Lipsey was known.     Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a regional cancer care organization that has been fighting cancer for over 40 years. With five centers in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma and Gonzales, its service area encompasses 18 parishes across southeast Louisiana.