H-E-B's Central Marker to Partner with M. D. Anderson

In celebration of the grand opening of H-E-B's first Central Market in Houston, the fresh food market donated 5 percent of the first week's sales to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center's Volunteer Endowment for Patient Support, a program of the institution's Department of Volunteer Services.

Central Market opened May 30 at the corner of Westheimer and Weslayan. M. D. Anderson volunteers were on-hand at the market during the first week to tout the joys of volunteering for the number one cancer center in the United States, as named in the July 2000 issue of U.S. News & World Report.

The Volunteer Endowment for Patient Support was founded in 1991, and is an endowment established by volunteers to benefit patient programs at M. D. Anderson. The 5 percent donation from Central Market will be added to the endowment to help volunteers continue their mission of making a positive difference for cancer patients and their families.

"We are delighted to be the recipient of this generous donation," said Mary Nell Lovett, director of volunteer services at M. D. Anderson.

The funding will provide such things as wigs, scarves, turbans, and head and hair care services in the Beauty Barber Shop; rotating artwork for patient rooms; breast reconstruction educational manuals; beepers for clinic patients; word identification pocket manuals for head and neck patients; and a multitude of patient amenities throughout the cancer center.

"VEPS works to fund programs that address the social, emotional, comfort, educational and recreational needs of M. D. Anderson patients and their families," said Lovett. "More than 1,500 active volunteers in our program, working with faculty and staff, are dedicated to improving the quality of life of cancer patients."

In addition to the donation during their grand opening week, Central Market and M. D. Anderson will partner in other ways to benefit VEPS and the cancer center. Central Market was the "Grand Slam" underwriter for the annual VEPS luncheon in February, which featured cancer survivor and former baseball All-Star Dave Dravecky as the speaker. The store also will serve as a book drop location for donations to the Houston Public Library location at M. D. Anderson. The Central Market Community Room will serve as a classroom and meeting place for public education programs and other activities.

"Central Market is proud to be associated with The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, and we salute their volunteer workforce, which staffs more than 70 programs for the cancer center," said Nancy Beck, Central Market Community Relations. "We believe that the collaboration between Central Market and M. D. Anderson builds a formidable community partnership."

For additional information about VEPS or to sign up to be an M. D. Anderson volunteer, call the Department of Volunteer Services at (713) 792-7180.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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