ACS Evening of Recognition

Last night, the American Cancer Society held its annual Evening of Recognition which was hosted by the Leadership Council.

Evening of Recognition is when volunteers from all events in SWLA over the past year are recognized for their hard work and dedication to the organization and the fight back against cancer. These events ranged from Relay for Life to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and our annual Gala. Top companies, hospitals, fundraisers, administrators, executives, etc are all invited.

I had Jason take this picture for me. Our Leadership Council is at the head table and our survivor speaker is shown here. She did an AMAZING job. She spoke about her journey with cancer and all the ways that the American Cancer Society can with patient and family services. It helped volunteers in the room see the bigger picture and understand that their work with ACS really IS making a difference in a BIG way. Seriously, awesome job.

Somewhere in the middle of it all, we began presenting individual awards. There was only one “master” copy of the script at the podium and I didn’t have a copy of it…..

Then this happened!

I vaguely remember them saying that only four Patient Liaison awards were given out in the state of Louisiana and two of them were in my area! The other went to a friend and colleague at another local facility!

I know I don’t share a lot about what I do here, but I can honestly tell you that I love being an oncology nurse. I love working with cancer patients, I love helping them, and I love volunteering with the American Cancer Society because I feel like I’m truly making a difference. To give me an award for something I enjoy doing is just like icing on the cake.

My boss also received a Community Volunteer Award (he’s the one who got me started with ACS)!

Throughout my time with ACS, I’ve also developed several relationships with staff partners and I truly am glad I can call them my friends. Katie is seriously one of the best! :) She even came out to cheer me on at RnR NOLA last year!

Overall, the evening was a huge success and despite the crazy weather, we had a great turnout! Here’s to another great year…2015, let’s finish the fight!

Do you like to volunteer? Do you work with any organizations/non-profits/church, etc. on a volunteer basis? If so, leave a comment….I want to hear all about it!