Rhode Island volunteer wins American Cancer Society's Sandra C. Labaree award!

In 2000, our New England Division Board of Directors voted to establish Volunteer Values Awards, which would recognize and honor those volunteers whose actions and service in the fight against cancer most exemplify our organizational values.

In each New England state, we nominate volunteers who most reflect our values of integrity, compassion, courage, determination, and diversity in their American Cancer Society work.  These awards are very special reminders of the power of our volunteers to save lives and reduce suffering from cancer. They are also instilled with special meaning because they are named in honor of the late Sandy Labaree, a Society volunteer from Maine and founding member of the New England Division Board. Sandy's devotion to the Society for nearly 25 years made her a role model for us all. Despite her death from breast cancer, Sandy's spirit and values live on through this award.

On May 15, 2018, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network of Rhode Island had the pleasure of presenting the 2018 Sandra C. Labaree Volunteer Values Award to Ted Simon of Cranston. Ted embodies the volunteer values, embracing ACS CAN's goal of reducing the impact of cancer through public policy. . As a former biomedical researcher, he is very familiar with the research environment, and is always willing to share this knowledge with other volunteers. He’s patient and insightful – his ability to offer assistance and guidance without ever making fellow volunteers feel unintelligent is refreshing. His determination is evident as he’s always willing to step up to the plate: he’s spoken at the Rhode Island Day at the State House and research breakfast, published) multiple letters to the editor and OpEds, shared his story with a national NIH magazine and has been to nearly 20 lawmaker meetings in his time with us.