American Cancer Society honors seven outstanding Madison area volunteers

MADISON, Wis. – November 10, 2016 – The American Cancer Society recently honored seven community volunteers from southwest Wisconsin with the 2016 Exceptional Volunteer Award in recognition of their dedicated service to the Society’s lifesaving mission.

“These extraordinary individuals have given their time, treasure, and talent to the American Cancer Society to help save more lives from cancer,” said Diana Tatili, Senior Market Manager for the American Cancer Society. “They represent excellence and deserve to be recognized for the impact they’ve made in the fight against cancer.”

The awards were presented during a volunteer appreciation event held at the Nakoma Golf Club in Madison, and generously sponsored by Ho-Chunk Gaming of Madison. The 2016 award recipients are:

Kris Ballweg, Sauk Prairie – Kris is an event planning committee member and team captain for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Sauk Prairie. This year, the event raised a total of $55,000, with Kris’ team raising more than $29,000.
Gretchen Brown, Stoughton – Gretchen is a cosmetologist and co-owner of two local salons. She has volunteered for the Society’s Look Good Feel Better program for nearly 10 years, helping women cope with the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. In addition to leading Look Good Feel Better workshops in southwest Wisconsin, Gretchen also trains other cosmetologists to serve as volunteers for the program.
Summer Johnson, Madison – As a volunteer for the Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer gala, Summer helps ensure an attendee’s first impression of the event is exceptional. She also recruits and trains many other volunteers to make certain the guest check-in runs smoothly.
Farit “Manny” Kuri-Azamar, Sauk Prairie – Farit is a 21-year-old student at the University of Wisconsin-Baraboo who also participates in his local Relay For Life event. In addition to serving as the event’s Youth Outreach Ambassador, he completed 400 laps around the track and raised $4,300 for this year’s event. Over the past three years, Farit has raised an impressive $14,000 to support the Society’s cancer-fighting efforts.
Melissa Majewski, Madison – Melissa is a freelance graphic designer who volunteers for the Society and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Melissa recently created materials for ACS CAN’s Cancer Votes initiative, as well as a project to engage cancer survivors in our Relay For Life events. She is a graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD).
Dave Shaw, Madison – An active volunteer for multiple causes in Madison, Dave is a vice presidentat First Business Financial Services. He has been a member of the Board of Ambassadors for the Coaches vs. Cancer gala for nine years and co-chaired the event three times. Dave willingly leverages his connections in the community to obtain auction items, secure sponsorships, and invite guests to the gala.
Mike Shult, Oregon – Mike is currently an Assistant Coach for the men’s basketball team at Edgewood College. He has served as a member of the Board of Ambassadors for the Coaches vs. Cancer gala for nine years and will be named to his first term on the Society’s Midwest Division Board of Directors in January 2017. In addition to securing sponsorships and auction items for the gala, Mike’s willingness to help in any way he can often motivates others to do even more.

“Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison is proud and humbled to have sponsored an event that recognizes the selfless acts of volunteers who are committed to the fight against cancer,” said Dan Brown, executive manager. “Nothing can save my mother who was taken from us by cancer but, with continued effort and commitment, moms and relatives of others may be saved. A debt of gratitude is owed to these volunteers.”

Recipients were chosen based on their leadership, commitment, and service to the community in support of the American Cancer Society’s fundraising, mission delivery, patient support, or legislative advocacy efforts.