O’Keefe named ACS Volunteer of the Year
The American Cancer Society Fayette County Unit recently honored Mark O’Keefe, executive editor of the Herald-Standard, as its Volunteer of the Year. Nancy Verderber, community and volunteer involvement specialist for the American Cancer Society, praised O’Keefe for helping the ACS in the battle against cancer. She noted that O’Keefe has captained the Herald-Standard’s Relay for Life team for many years, also organizing the newspaper’s annual charity softball game with the Fayette County commissioners, which benefits the RFL.
She said that last year O’Keefe was selected to serve on the executive team and serves as vice president for the Fayette unit of the ACS. She added that O’Keefe also helped the ACS by hosting numerous programs about the Society on his HSTV show “Editor’s Notebook.’
“We’re very fortunate to have Mark in our corner at the American Cancer Society,’ said Verderber. “We were in need of some help spreading the word of the Society’s programs and services, and Mark willingly volunteered.
“Just in the past 12 months, he has not only facilitated excellent stories in the Herald-Standard about the Relay, Daffodils, Look Good Feel Better and Road to Recovery, but he also helped recruit the first volunteer in Fayette County for the Man to Man program,’ said Verderber.
O’Keefe said he was surprised to receive the award, noting that there are numerous other volunteers who are more deserving of the award.
“I’m very surprised and humbled to receive the award because there are so many great people involved with the Society,’ said O’Keefe. “It’s great to see everyone working together to try and help win this fight against cancer. The best thing is that we see progress almost every day, and I’m sure that in my lifetime, we’ll see cancer go from a death sentence to a manageable disease.’
Numerous other awards were handed out at the ACS’s Fayette Unit’s annual awards dinner by Verderber, Mary Jane Peglow, community income development specialist for the ACS, Ed Kustron and Barbara Yalich Fike, co-chairs for the Fayette County Relay for Life event.
The Inspirational Awards were given to Tia Cropp, Sharon Clarke, Linda Baker and Bea Glover.
“About four or five years ago, Tia and Sharon took on the task of organizing the survivor component of Relay. They brought to the task a fierce drive to make sure all survivors had their time in the sun. Then and now they have lots of attention to details and even though they’re busy making sure all of them are right, they never lack the time to give a hug, share a smile, wipe a tear or just offer a shoulder to lean on,’ said Fike.
“Not only do they inspire the survivors they serve, the volunteers they work and plan with look to them for their leadership. And, they don’t stop at getting the survivors involved – they make sure their families are right there with them and they also make sure the doctors they work with are involved too,’ she added.
Baker and Glover were honored for their work with the Look Good Feel Better program. This program helps women look their best while undergoing cancer treatments. It’s a program that requires skill and knowledge of makeup and skin care in addition to a huge dose of compassion.
“Linda has been an American Cancer Society volunteer for over 10 years. At New Salem Pharmacy she has supported the people of Fayette County with her knowledge and compassion,’ said Kustron. “She helps women find wigs, serves as a wig bank for the county, has daffodils bloom in her facility ever year and she supports the Relay as well. She has served as a promoter and facilitator for Look Good Feel Better and has provided a willing ear to many facing cancer for the first time, the second and beyond.
“Bea uses her skill as a beautician to help others. She has served as an inspiration to the ladies she works with through Look Good Feel Better. She has also volunteered with the ACS in many other ways over the years. She is a very enthusiastic Relay participant and captained her own team for many years. When she was diagnosed with cancer, her friends and fellow volunteers gave her back the positive attitude she so willingly shared with others,’ added Kustron.
The Outstanding Corporation Award was given to Steps to a Healthier Pa. in Fayette County for its role in building coordinated school health councils in all the school districts in the county. Peglow said that through their efforts local children will start early to make healthy choices and will be a healthier generation.
“Kelly Loomis and Ben Neil took the lead in combining the efforts of the ACS, STEPS and other community organizations or organize a Tri-County School Health Committee – a coordinated approach in November of 2005. This event was a huge success, bringing together superintendents, teachers, social service agencies and community members,’ said Peglow.