Sharing Service Stories » Health

Samuel Maugans: Providing Breathing Room For Families Living With Cancer

fordrm — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:07:57 +0000

Delaware's First Lady Carla Markell, Tricia Lyons, Senator Tom Carper, Samuel Maugans

For the past six years, Sam Maugans has devoted himself to the fight against cancer through his volunteer work with The Breathing Room Foundation, a nonprofit organization that strives to provide families living with cancer with a “bit of breathing room” from their daily struggles, with the hope that they can concentrate on regaining health. On average, Sam volunteers more than 60 hours per month, relieving the burdens of families living with cancer. In 2008 alone, Sam impacted the lives of 523 families. He was also elected President of the foundation for his many, hands-on efforts. Additionally, Sam leaves no stone unturned in fundraising or helping to expand the foundation’s capacity for service.

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Liz Pascual: Providing Medical Supplies and Support Overseas

Inglis Leslie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:16:22 +0000

Liz Pascual is an operating room nurse whose core values and sense of being revolve around helping others. Liz is dedicated and committed to the Faith and Practice ministry. Their medical mission trips to Guatemala provide needed medical supplies and support to those who would not otherwise have such access. Since 2002, Liz has taken a mission trip each year, including two separate trips in 2008. Liz also volunteers 3 to 4 evenings per month at the Good Samaritan Health Clinic, a free medical clinic in Garden City that provides volunteer medicine to the working poor. Liz is also extremely involved with the music ministry at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

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Gino Rinaldi: A Burn Survivor Helping Others Recover

Inglis Leslie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:01:04 +0000

As an apprentice lineman, Gino received a burn injury in 1982. As a result of this injury, he learned of the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation (AARBF), which enhances the quality of life for burn survivors and promotes burn prevention education. Gino became a donor to AARBF. He also began to volunteer with AARBF’s Ambassador Program, which helps raise funds through speaking engagements at companies. Gino then became a peer resource counselor for others who have gone through similar injuries, helping them in their recovery process. He serves as Vice President of AARBF’s Executive Board and in this role, is responsible for oversight of the foundation’s policies and plays a critical role in the financial health of AARBF.

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Leonard J. Young, Jr.: Spreading the Word on Public Health and Wellness

Inglis Leslie — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:43:30 +0000

For more than 20 years, Leonard J. Young, Jr. has passionately served the people of Delaware by promoting, educating and volunteering in public health and wellness initiatives. He strives to make a positive, lasting difference in the lives of others by encouraging his fellow man to obtain regular preventive health screenings and incorporate healthy practices into their daily lives. Mr. Young spends countless hours preparing for health awareness events and his leadership and participation in numerous public health efforts is extensive. He also educates the community and youth groups on the hazards of substance abuse, the need for responsible sexual behavior and how to detect and prevent violent behavior in personal relationships.

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Robert and Kathryn Zufall: Extending Affordable Health Care to the Uninsured

Inglis Leslie — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:15:46 +0000

Nearly 20 years ago, Dr. Robert Zufall and his wife, Kathryn, wanted more from retirement. The Zufalls decided to open the Dover Free Clinic. The medical clinic became a major provider of affordable health care. Operating one night a week Dr. Zufall, a retired urologist, treated patients while his wife provided administrative support. Almost instantly, the clinic attracted a growing patient base of mostly immigrant Latino and Asian families. Its popularity necessitated moves to larger quarters and expanded hours. Their tenacity for enlisting volunteers generated a core team of physicians, dentists, and support staff. Ultimate success came in 2004 when the clinic’s financial survival was assured by designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center. Renamed Zufall Health Center to honor the couple, it is now a full-time operation that last year received 22,000 visits by 8,200 patients. Most were uninsured.

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Peggy Balboa: Spreading the Word for Sound Nutrition

Inglis Leslie — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:23:50 +0000

As a dietetics student at UIC, Peggy Balboa‘s philosophy toward her volunteer efforts is health and disease prevention through sound nutrition. She helped develop a pictorial “Food Access Guide” for Heartland Alliance Health Outreach – assisting newly arriving refugees in danger of poverty and food insecurity. She also developed a program to provide nutritional information training for men and women living with HIV/AIDS at Bonaventure House. In addition to these programs, Peggy volunteered as a SHIP counselor for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, working directly with senior citizens to help them interpret and choose the appropriate Medicare coverage for both their medical needs and prescription drug plans.

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Patricia A. Fennell – Helping Former Offenders Successfully Return to Society

Inglis Leslie — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:30:08 +0000

Patricia Fennell is committed to service beyond her daily job – specifically her service to the Kingdom Care Reentry Network, where she serves as a volunteer and board member. The Kingdom Care Reentry Network was organized in 1999 to reduce repeat criminal offenses and help ex-offenders in Philadelphia successfully return to society following incarceration. In 2008 alone, Pat contributed more than 100 hours of her own time to this worthy cause. She has become an integral part of the Kingdom Care team, and is described as “essential and invaluable.” Pat is also an active member of several community boards such as Philadelphia Youth Aid Panel (YAP), AIDS Fund, and Southwest Belmont Community Association.

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Brandy Sabatini Regan: A Mother Honors Her Baby’s Battle with Leukemia

fordrm — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:38:46 +0000

In 2002, Brandy Sabatini Regan’s six-week-old infant son, Cole, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), the leading cause of death in young children. His brief 21 months of life was filled with chemo, multiple surgeries, blood/platelet transfusions, life support and 16 months of hospitalization. Cole displayed a fighting spirit throughout his life and Brandy continues her involvement with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) – the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education, and patient services – in his honor.

Brandy is very active raising funds for LLS. She has participated on Telethons and helped raise $2 million. In 2007, Brandy joined Team in Training, ran her first marathon and raised $5000 for LLS.

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Paula Pratt Tomlin – An Advocate Fights Against Parkinson’s Disease

fordrm — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:02:36 +0000

Paula Pratt Tomlin works tirelessly to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease. Diagnosed in 2001 at the age of 43, Paula is passionate in the fight against this disease. She has been an active member of Young Parkinson’s of Indiana since 2003 and volunteers for Rock Steady Boxing.

In 2004, she co-founded and serves as President of Parkinson’s Awareness Association of Central Indiana (PAACI). These organizations seek to help address the unique issues of Parkinson’s patients, their families and their care partners. Paula is an author and national speaker and helps to educate and support other people with Parkinson’s, to raise awareness, and to help raise money for much-needed research to find a cure.

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