Patriotic Luncheon Benefits Patient Programs
Celebrates the Red, White and Blue

Former first lady Barbara Bush was the keynote speaker at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center’s annual Volunteer Endowment for Patient Support luncheon, held March 6.

American flag fans kept the crowd cool while Mrs. Bush spoke to the sold-out luncheon crowd. The event benefited the Volunteer Endowment for Patient Support, which funds patient-focused programs that nurture and support M.D. Anderson cancer patients and their families. The endowment has brought more than $500,000 to the cancer center.

Red, white and blue, and plenty of patriotism were in evidence at the event, chaired by Jane and Jimmy McCarroll. Billed as an all-American picnic, the luncheon celebrated and honored the M.D. Anderson volunteers who work with faculty and staff to "make cancer history."

"At M.D. Anderson, we celebrate heroes every day," said Jane McCarroll. "Sometimes the hero is a doctor or nurse who can call their patients survivors. Other times, the hero may be a patient who has fought the battle with cancer with grace and courage. Our heroes are also the volunteers of M.D. Anderson who work with faculty and staff to eliminate cancer."

Her husband and luncheon co-chair, agreed.

"Just as we honor our American heroes who fight for our freedom, we also honor these volunteers and the endowment they established," he said.

Mrs. Bush is known for her platform on literacy. In 1990, she helped develop the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. She currently serves as honorary chair of the foundation and hosts its annual fund raiser, "A Celebration of Reading." Mrs. Bush also supports many other charities and humanitarian causes, and continues to serve others with the same goodwill and good humor that has endeared her to millions around the world.

The Bush’s first daughter, Robin, died of leukemia in 1953, and today former President George H.W. Bush serves as the chairman of The University Cancer Foundation Board of Visitors at M.D. Anderson.

"‘Celebrate the American Spirit – Volunteer’ is this year’s theme for National Volunteer Week, so it’s especially appropriate that Barbara Bush was the speaker for our VEPS luncheon," said Mary Nell Lovett, director of volunteer services at M.D. Anderson. "Having Mrs. Bush speak is an honor as well as a verification of what the M.D. Anderson volunteers achieve with their generous giving of time, talent and resources."

The endowment helps the department of volunteer services at M.D. Anderson continue to fund and provide programs throughout the cancer center, which address the social, emotional, comfort, educational and recreational needs of patients and their families. Its funds provide patient services such as protective helmets for brain surgery patients; pagers for patients waiting for clinic appointments; free wigs, scarves, turbans and hair care in the volunteer services-operated Beauty Barber Shop; start-up support for the Pink Ribbon Program volunteer initiative; educational brochures; and a multitude of other patient services and amenities throughout the cancer center.

For more information about Volunteer Endowment for Patient Support, call (713) 792-7180.

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/04_01_02/page_19.html