American Cancer Society To Honor Danbury Hospital Oncology Nurses

DANBURY –– The American Cancer Society (ACS) announced that the Danbury Hospital oncology nurses of 8-East will be the 2003 Spring Charity Ball honoree at the 11th annual event at 7 pm on April 5 at the Amber Room Colonnade.

The ACS Spring Charity Ball Honoree demonstrates “exemplary and unfaltering contributions to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients and their families.” The recipient offers hope and inspiration to everyone he/she touches and demonstrates undying compassion in the fight against cancer, according to the ACS.

For the first time in ball history, a group will be honored rather than an individual. According to the letter of nomination, the team of nurses on the oncology unit at Danbury Hospital are truly dedicated to both the physical and mental care of their patients.

The letter to the American Cancer Society said: “The patients’ needs are at the forefront of all they do. Countless times over the years, they have reached out to create a special time for a patient or family member. This has included planning weddings on the unit (for a patient and also for a father who wanted to walk his daughter down the aisle on that special day), setting up a room so that a family could share a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday, making gingerbread houses at Christmas and sharing them with patients as they sang carols, or simply taking someone outside for a some fresh air. These are not listed under their job description but these nurses know how important the little things are to patients. They do so many little things simply because they care. So when you asked if anyone knew a person who has improved the life of a cancer patient, I can tell you that I know 21 of them. They do this on a daily basis and have given 238 years collectively of undying compassion to the fight against cancer.”

The 21 oncology nurses that will be honored at the American Cancer Society’s Spring Charity Ball include Cindy Allen, Cathy Bernandez, Sue Croteau, Maureen Durand, Arleen Ducusin, Emi Goold, Joan Guariglia, Rita Kolwicz, Sue Kordzikowski, Mary MacKrell, Grace Mani, Linda Marquis, Sandy Marquis, Perly Mathew, Pat Najamy, Linda Palmer, Lori Preble, Judy Slater, Dorothy Tanneberger, Geraldine Tobin, and Liz Young.

Tickets to the Spring Charity Ball are $350 per couple. The event will include dinner, dancing, a silent auction, and the recognition of both the Angel Award recipient and the Spring Charity Ball Honoree. Last year’s Spring Charity Ball raised more than $65,000 for the American Cancer Society’s programs of service, education, advocacy, and research. For more information about the Spring Charity Ball or for tickets, call Diane Sheridan at the American Cancer Society office at 203-563-0744, extension 228, or email at diane.sheridan@cancer.org.