Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Hosts Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

Barbara Barriner named 2019 Anna B. Lipsey Volunteer Service Award Recipient

(Baton Rouge, La.) Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center honored those who generously give of their time and talents at its annual volunteer appreciation luncheon at the Baton Rouge Country Club Thursday, April 4. The prestigious Anna B. Lipsey Memorial Volunteer Service Award was presented to Barbara Barriner of Baton Rouge, who has volunteered at the Cancer Center for nearly eight years. Susan and Richard Lipsey hosted the celebration and presented the Anna B. Lipsey Memorial Volunteer Service Award, named after Richard’s mother, to Barriner. 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 award, started in 1986, is presented each year to the volunteer(s) who best exemplifies the volunteer spirit and dedication for which Lipsey was known. “Volunteering at the Cancer Center has been in my family for generations, so Susan and I can attest that this organization is still the best at preventing and treating cancer and taking care of patients,” said Richard Lipsey in a thank-you message to the volunteers. “We appreciate volunteers like all of you, and like my mother, who spend your time helping make patients at the Cancer Center more comfortable. Your kindness complements the expertise and cancer care that patients are receiving.” Throughout Barriner’s years of volunteerism she has followed in Anna B. Lipsey’s footsteps, saying she enjoys meeting new people and knitting hats for cancer patients. “After my experience as a breast cancer patient at the Cancer Center, I knew I wanted to give back the kindness and care that was shown to me,” reflected Barriner. “I became a volunteer when I retired, and I have enjoyed listening to, encouraging and providing for the needs of patients.” In addition, Leslie McArdle, the Cancer Center’s guest and volunteer services manager, recognized Jack Stokeld, Dennie Wall, Trudy LeBoeuf, Jenny Conrad and Bob Evans for their 200 plus hours of individual service in 2018. Linda Lee, vice president of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, thanked volunteers for their contributions and reminded them that their generosity is appreciated by patients, physicians and team members alike. “With all the strides the Cancer Center has made and is continuing to make, there is one constant. Volunteerism is still at the heart of what we do,” remarked Lee. “We consistently hear how wonderful our team and volunteers are, and we appreciate how you demonstrate what giving looks like and feels like.” Also speaking during the program was Bill O’Quin, Mary Bird Perkins board chair, who said it is an honor to recognize these volunteers, whose smiles make such a difference for patients and their families. Todd Stevens, president and chief executive officer, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center provided an update to volunteers on the Cancer Center’s latest initiatives. About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center As a regional destination for cancer care, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center offers the most advance technology and services provided by a dedicated team of nationally-recognized oncology experts. The Cancer Center provides best-practice, comprehensive care at every stage of the cancer journey, including disease site-specific multidisciplinary care teams, a robust clinical research program, extensive supportive care services and is the only facility in the Gulf South with the revolutionary Leksell Gamma Knife®Icon™. The American College of Surgeons has named the Cancer Center a recipient of its prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award for three consecutive survey cycles. As a nonprofit organization, donor generosity is essential to sustaining the mission of improving survivorship and lessening the burden of cancer for so many throughout Southeast Louisiana and beyond. For more information on the Cancer Center, and how you can become involved, please visit marybirdlake.org.