Janie Lowe

Duo Named UAMS Cancer Institute Volunteers of the Year

Nov. 7, 2017 | Sometimes two is better than one. That was the case this year when the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Auxiliary named a duo as Volunteers of the Year.

Henry Noor and Len Tanner can be found at the Cancer Institute every Tuesday morning greeting patients, offering directions and distributing snacks. They were honored at the auxiliary’s volunteer appreciation luncheon held Oct. 19 at the home of Miguel Newberg.

“Henry and Len are outgoing, friendly and wonderful at interacting with the patients. They are often described as the Dynamic Duo, or sometimes, in jest, Double Trouble,” said Janie Lowe, director of the Cancer Institute Department of Volunteer Services and Auxiliary, which presents the annual award.

Tanner developed a connection with the Cancer Institute during his career as a pharmaceutical representative. Following his retirement in 2007, he returned to the institute as a volunteer.

Noor began volunteering the following year, also after his retirement. Soon afterward, the pair joined forces. About a decade later, both men have individually logged more than 2,000 volunteer hours.

“We are fortunate to have Henry and Len at the Cancer Institute. Their dedication and willingness to serve others is an inspiration,” Lowe said.

The Cancer Institute Auxiliary has about 500 members, more than half of whom volunteer on a regular basis in the waiting areas and gift shop or help with special events throughout the year.

Funds raised by the auxiliary are distributed as grants benefiting cancer patients at the Cancer Institute and in northwest Arkansas. Tara Smith is auxiliary president.

Robin Dean Honored by UAMS Cancer Institute Auxiliary

May 3, 2017 | Gracious, calm and compassionate were just three of the words used to describe Robin Dean at an April 26 ceremony honoring her service to the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

“Robin looks for the sun when the clouds hit. She brings a positive attitude to everything she does,” said Kent Westbrook, M.D., addressing a crowd of more than 160 people gathered to honor Dean as the UAMS Cancer Institute Auxiliary’s 2017 Distinguished Honoree. The award is presented each year to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the mission of the Cancer Institute.

Westbrook is a distinguished professor in the UAMS College of Medicine and co-founder of the Cancer Institute.

“While we have had many physicians and scientists receive this honor over the past 23 years, Robin is only the second staff member to be named our Distinguished Honoree. The Cancer Institute is truly a better place thanks to Robin’s grace and compassion,” said Peter Emanuel, M.D., Cancer Institute director and professor of medicine in in the UAMS College of Medicine.

A three-time cancer survivor, Dean devoted more than two decades as both a volunteer and staff member at the Cancer Institute. Her volunteer activities included serving as chair of auxiliary fundraising events and as an auxiliary board member, including a stint as president in 1999-2000. She was named Volunteer of the Year in 2001.

Her staff positions included serving for two years as a salesperson in the Cancer Institute Gift Shop and for 13 years as coordinator for the Cancer Institute Cancer Support Center at the Family Home, a nonprofit facility that provides low-cost housing for cancer patients and parents of infants in the UAMS Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She retired in 2016.

“You have diagnosed me and treated me. You’ve prayed for me and cared for me. There is no doubt that God’s hand has guided me during these years,” said Dean, acknowledging the health care team and friends who cared for her during her cancer treatments. “Who would have thought that having cancer would have prepared me to talk to the patients I met at the Family Home about how to keep hope alive?”

The Cancer Institute Auxiliary is one of Arkansas’ largest volunteer organizations with more than 500 members dedicated to providing information, service, compassion and hope to those whose lives are touched by cancer.

Janie Lowe serves as director of the UAMS Cancer Institute Department of Volunteer Services and Auxiliary.

June O’Keefe Named UAMS Cancer Institute Volunteer of the Year

Nov. 29, 2016 | For more than nine years, June O’Keefe has quietly made a difference in the lives of Arkansas’ cancer patients.

Her efforts were recognized Nov. 17 when she was named Volunteer of the Year by the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Auxiliary.

“June is always upbeat, outgoing and has a wonderful smile. Her fellow volunteers love working with her, and the patients look forward to seeing her regularly. She truly is a pleasure to work with and brightens our days,” said Janie Lowe, director of the Cancer Institute Department of Volunteer Services and Auxiliary, which presents the annual award.

O’Keefe has logged more than 3,000 volunteer hours in her nine years of service. She assists weekly in the waiting rooms, leads the Sit and Knit group, and participates in the Care Caps group.

Sit and Knit meets at 1:30 p.m. each Wednesday in the Patient Support Pavilion to knit and crochet hats for UAMS patients who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment. Care Caps meets at 9 a.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the Family Home, located across the street from UAMS, to sew hats for cancer patients at UAMS and across the country.

The Family Home is a nonprofit facility that provides affordable housing for patients at the UAMS Cancer Institute and parents of infants in the UAMS Medical Center neonatal intensive care unit. It also houses the Cancer Institute’s Cancer Support Center. For information about participating in either group, contact the Cancer Institute Department of Volunteer Services and Auxiliary at (501) 686-8286.

The Cancer Institute Auxiliary has about 500 members, more than half of whom volunteer on a regular basis in the waiting areas and gift shop or help with special events throughout the year.

Funds raised by the auxiliary are distributed as grants benefiting cancer patients at the Cancer Institute and in northwest Arkansas. Kimberly Pickett is auxiliary president.