PRESS RELEASES
Research Coordinator Recognized by the American Cancer Society Gloucester
(Gloucester, MA)-Lisa Zellenka, RN, of Gloucester was recently awarded the 2007 Distinguished Service Award for the greater Boston area by the American Cancer Society (ACS). The Distinguished Service Award is presented yearly to an individual who has exemplified outstanding leadership and service as well as demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the fight against cancer.
Zellenka’s commitment to the fight against cancer has evolved from when she started working in the Oncology Department at Addison Gilbert Hospital more than 17 years ago. She began coordinating Daffodil Days, a springtime fundraising event offering the opportunity to order daffodils to benefit the ACS, and has been involved with different fundraising efforts for the organization ever since.
"I was shocked to get the letter and to be awarded with this honor," said Zellenka. "I was both thrilled and humbled."
Five years ago, the ACS contacted Zellenka to ask if she’d be interested in helping to organize a new type of fundraiser on Cape Ann called the Relay for Life. The idea was to have the community come together and collect donations and then form teams to participate in an all-night walk. Participants would have the opportunity to walk in memoriam to those they have lost to cancer as well as to honor those who have survived.
Zellenka decided to co-chair the event that first year with a friend and they proudly raised $27,000 to donate toward cancer research and resources for cancer patients and survivors. Through Zellenka’s continued coordination as well as the year-round fundraising efforts of the community, Relay for Life has grown from 19 teams to 47. This year, participating teams raised $220,000 in donations, making it the fastest growing relay event in New England.
"I can’t tell you the number of wonderful people I’ve met that have offered their time and expertise to our fundraising efforts," she said, the results of which she sees first-hand through her profession.
"I’m still seeing people that I treated 17 years ago, which is really encouraging news about the fight against cancer."
Addison Gilbert Hospital
Addison Gilbert Hospital is a full-service, 58-bed medical/surgical acute care facility. The hospital provides inpatient and outpatient care to residents of the Cape Ann community in specialties such as cancer care, surgical day care, critical care and emergency medicine.
Addison Gilbert Hospital has been nationally recognized by Solucient Institute as a 100 Top Hospital five times in the past seven years.
Addison Gilbert Hospital is a member of Northeast Health System. For more information on Addison Gilbert Hospital, visit
www.addisongilbert.org.
Lisa Zellenka, RN, (right) was recently recognized by the American Cancer Society (ACS) for her outstanding leadership and service as well as an extraordinary commitment to the fight against cancer. She is pictured here with Carol Clark (middle) and Paul Richards, who were also recognized at the ACS "Working Hand in Hand". Volunteer Celebration and Reception.
