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American Cancer Society Celebrates 25 Years In Brandon

From left, former Southeast Unit chairwomen Barbara Schwabe and Martha Simmons were presented lifetime board memberships by lifetime member Doris Sidoti and outgoing chair Mike Wick at the annual American Cancer Society banquet Sept. 26. Other lifetime members are Chris Scogin Snook, the late Dick Cimino, Dr. Kathryn Kepes and Lee Elam.

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News Report

Published: October 4, 2007

Brandon - Brandon - The Southeast Hillsborough unit of the American Cancer Society held its 25th anniversary awards and installation banquet Sept. 26 at Center Place.

Brandon attorney Lee Elam, who founded the unit with the late Dick Cimino, talked about the unit's origins including its first office on Brandon Boulevard and its first fundraisers including the ACS 150 casino night and dinner, tennis tournaments and golf tournaments.

Former unit board chairwomen Chris Snook and Barbara Schwabe talked about the fundraisers of the mid 1990s including the honorary Brandon mayor's race, Making Strides Against Cancer and Up With People.

And Doris Sidoti reviewed the current fundraisers, which netted nearly $1 million last year, including the eight Relays for Life, the Gatsby Affair and the Reach to Recovery Fashion Show.

Outgoing board chairman presented the Hope Award for volunteer services that enhance the quality of life of patients and their families to Hazel Martin of Sun City Center and the Outstanding Achievement in Income Development Award to Cathy Vallianatos of Plant City. Vallianatos heads the Plant City Relay for Life, which brings in more money than any other relay in the county and is ranked 11th in the state.

Wick presented the Outstanding Achievement in Cancer Control award to Peter Ryner for his work coordinating drivers for the Road to Recovery program.

Former Courage Award recipient Doris Sidoti presented this year's Courage Award to cancer survivor and longtime unit board member Chris Snook. East Bay High School graduate Emma Baxley received the Hope for Tomorrow award for organizing the Relay for Life at her school. And Mike Wick presented The Brandon News & Tribune columnist D'Ann White with the Chairman's Choice Award for Outstanding Service.

Former board chairwoman and daughter of Dick Cimino, Roz Creager, in turn, awarded the Dick Cimino Volunteer of the Year Award to Wick. And board member Craig DeMask presented Cory Davis of Riverview Elementary School the Special Friends of the American Cancer Society Award for top Relay for Life team captain.

The board also inducted Barbara Schwabe and Martha Simmons in as honorary lifetime members of the board, joining Cimino, Elam, Sidoti, Snook and Dr. Kathryn Kepes.

And new board members Wendy Brown, Jeff Campbell, Steve Daughterty, John Marsicano, Roger Rivard, Alicia Schulhof and Donna Washburn were installed. The join vice chairman Michael Evans, chair emeritus Roz Creager, secretary Patti Bramble, treasurer Lara White, medical adviser Craig Amshel, nominating chair Jim Johnson, marketing and publicity chair Deg'er Saner, board members Polly Arman, Ed Booth, Annette DeMask, Craig DeMask, Stacy Feiler, Diane Gill, Dr. Sarah Hoffe, Hazel Martin, Ryan Odiorne, Ron Proulx, Anthony Pursino, Barbara Schwabe, Martha Simmons, Laura Solin, Phyllis Stewart and Bill Ulbricht.

Wick handed over his chairman's gavel to incoming chairman, the Rev. Michael Evans, senior pastor at United Community Church of Sun City Center. Wick will continue working on advocacy efforts for the unit at the state and national level.

For more photos, visit http://snap.tbo.com/user/member_gallery_photos.php?gallery=317905&community_section=118918

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