- Charles House of University Florist presents April winner Delma Armstrong, BSN, RN, OCN, with flowers. Meghan McCann, director, oncology nursing services, UNC Hospitals.
The new program recognizes employees in eight divisions, including the NC Cancer Hospital, for their dedication, positive attitude and outstanding work ethic.
The idea for the program began with Charles House, longtime Chapel Hill resident and owner of University Florist, who lost his wife, Mary, to cancer in 2001. “Our family had great interactions with the nursing team when Mary was undergoing cancer treatment, so we wanted to honor them for their wonderful care.
“There are a lot of unsung heroes in the medical complex. This program is a way to recognize them for the great work they do in our community.” Mr. House and University Florist have been joined by additional area businesses. Randall Diers, franchise owner for Massage Envy Chapel Hill and Raleigh, agrees. “We appreciate all that the UNC Oncology staff does, and once we heard about the program, we wanted to participate.”
Dr. Mary Tonges, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of the UNC Hospitals Division of Nursing, says, “We are extremely grateful to these local businesses to recognize nursing team members who demonstrate outstanding dedication to patient care, go above and beyond to serve as a resource to colleagues, and exhibit overall excellence in their work. The delivery of flowers and other gifts to these most deserving individuals is a meaningful way to applaud their efforts.”
Cosby Dudley, local franchisee of Great Clips in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, shares the community spirit. “It is important to give back to the local community, and we are particularly excited about supporting this program at UNC Hospitals. These folks take great care of people in need all day long, so it’s nice to be able to do a good deed in return.”
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Edwin Burnett of Southport was diagnosed with cancer when he was two years old. Ryan Lund became his best friend and accompanied Edwin when he came to UNC for chemotherapy. “Ryan had my back,” Edwin explains. The two friends, now both freshman at UNC- Chapel Hill (Edwin) and University of South Carolina (Ryan), completed a senior project called “I’ve Got Your Back.” They collected donated items and put together backpacks for pediatric cancer patients being treated at UNC. Edwin graduated from South Brunswick High School in Southport and Ryan graduated from Hoggard High School in Wilmington.
When her friend Missy Julian was diagnosed with breast cancer, Missy came up with the idea to hold the Beach Ball – which became an annual UNC Lineberger fundraiser – and Julie was on board to help from the get go. That was over 15 years ago!
"The things we do here at UNC Lineberger and the N.C. Cancer Hospital are solving worldwide problems, so being involved with UNC Lineberger is a unique opportunity to be a part of that solution," she says.
She explains, “Like most of us, I’ve been touched by cancer. I’m from a small family, and my oldest cousin — there were only five of us — passed away from a glioblastoma when he was 40. Now his mother, my aunt, has lung cancer. I’ve lost many friends to cancer and I know so many people who either are survivors or are living with cancer. I’m very passionate about finding ways to prevent it, cure it, or enable people to live meaningful lives with it.”
Polly was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer in 2007, 10 years after her original diagnosis.