Volunteer Spotlight

Congratulations to the winners of the 2011 Patient Service Program Awards!

• Look Good...Feel Better Sunrise Award
• Road to Recovery Outstanding Service Award
• Reach to Recovery Terese Lasser Memorial Award

Look Good...Feel Better Sunrise Award

Look Good...Feel Better is a program that teaches female cancer patients practical tips to look better and feel good about how their appearance during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The Sunrise Award is given annually to three Look Good...Feel Better volunteers in the California Division, Inc. who have displayed exceptional dedication and outstanding volunteer leadership to the program.

Thelma M. Price, PBA/NCA Certified Volunteer, Los Angeles Region

Thelma Price has been involved with Look Good...Feel Better for 21 years. As State Vice-President of the California Cosmetology Assiciation, Inc. (CCA) and President of the CCA Southern District, she gives presentations to schools, salons, churches and tradeshows throughout the year. "I believe there's a nautral partnership that can be forged between CCA and ACS," she states. "Many cancer patients and survivors often deal with a loss of hair or other imprefections in their appearance and the licensed cosmetologists, aestheticians and manicurists I work with may be able to assist them in their effort to 'look good and feel better'."

Through her long service with the program she has served countless women and contributed to the growth of the program in California. Her proudest accomplishment as a volunteer is seeing patients transform during a Look Good...Feel Better session.  "After a patient/client makeover, they feel positive about themselves and they leave with a smile on their face."

Thelma also helps increase awareness about cancer and prevention in her community. "I believe everyone should be well-informed about cancer (causes, types, prevention, etc.) and I'm thrilled that ACS is dedicated to bringing this knowledge to the masses, free of charge." She is particularly passionate about "increasing cancer awareness amongst people of color."

Irene R. Uriarte, LGFB Certified Volunteer, Great Valley Region

Irene Uriarte has been involved with Look Good...Feel Better since 1993, and loves "assisting cancer patients with make-up tips." Her childhood ambition was to design hair styles, and now she's helping cancer patients do that and more. In addition to facilitating sessions to educate patients about make-up, nail care, wigs and scarf-tying techniques, Irene also served as a Look Good...Feel Better Area Trainer for ten years. She trained and coached new volunteers to improve the quality of life for female cancer patients.

Irene is passionate about helping the American Cancer Society find a cure "to stop others from dying before their time," and she makes an effort to spread the word in her community about all the service programs that the Society has to offer.

When she's not volunteering, Irene enjoys spending time with her three children, husband of 33 years, and their chihuahua, Marley. Her hobbies and interests include boating, bible study, and decorating her home for fun events.

Kay Bilyeu, LGFB General Volunteer, Border Sierra Region

Kay has been a volunteer in the Look Good...Feel Better program for 10 years. Many people in her life have been impacted by cancer, including her grandmother, sister-in-law and several friends, and this personal connection to cancer has inspired Kay to help others. 

Not only does she help with the logistics of LGFB sessions and creates a welcoming environment for all participants, but she also cleans donated wigs and creates head pieces for patients who experience hair loss. She says her proudest accomplishment is when she sees "the faces of the ladies after giving them turbans or head bands" that she has made for them.

Kay receives much inspiration from her family, and loves playing with her great-granddaughter, sewing, traveling, and of course volunteering!

Road to Recovery Outstanding Service Award 

Road to Recovery is a program in which volunteer drivers donate their time and the use of their cars to transport patients to life-saving cancer treatments. The Road to Recovery Outstanding Service Award is given annually to a volunteer driver, coordinator or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the program.

Kurt Papenhause, Road to Recovery Driver, Greater Bay Redwood Empire Region

Kurt Papenhause has over twelve years of experience as an American Cancer Society volunteer in many different capacities, and also volunteers at his church and local senior center. He provides frequent rides to treatment for cancer patients in San Mateo county, which has a tremendous impact on their quality of life.

Kurt is described by those who know him best as good-natured, polite, respectful towards patients, and genuine.

Reach to Recovery Terese Lasser Memorial Award

Reach to Recovery is a one-on-one support program for newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients. The Terese Lasser Memorial Award is given annually to an individual or group that has made outstanding contributions to the program.

Elisa Garduno, Reach to Recovery Volunteer, Great Valley Region 

Elisa Garduno is a breast cancer survivor, and has been a volunteer in Reach to Recovery for 13 years. Her various roles have included Visitor, Coordinator and Trainer but ger proudest accomplishment is the one-on-one support she provides to patients. "To them it means a lot just to hear that there is someone at the other end of the line that has been there and understands what they're going through," she says. 

She also represents the program at many community events and health fairs, and leads a Spanish-speaking cancer support group at a local hospital. Her leadership with the group has contributed to an increased interest in Reach to Recovery from Spanish-speaking patients.

In addition to Reach to Recovery, Elisa volunteers to distrubute bouquets during Daffodil Days, and has been instrumental in providing supplies for Christmas baskets that are given to pediatric cancer patients and families. She has served as a Team Captain for the Stockton Relay For Life, and even makes burritos to share that have been praised as the "Best Burritos in Stockton"! 

Meet other volunteers who have been honored in the Volunteer Spotlight!