Evelyn Frierson receives the American cancer society’s

Evelyn Frierson receives the American cancer society’s
prestigious LAPEL pin

Annual Award Given to Volunteers who Display Leadership in Grassroots Activities=

INDIANAPOLIS – Fort Wayne= resident Evelyn Frierson received t= he American Cancer Society’s prestigious Legislative Ambassador Program (LAPEL) advocacy pin during activities at the Indiana Statehouse on Feb. 6, 2007.=

The ACS Legislative Ambassador Program is an initiative designed to foster active relationships between those touched by cancer and their elected officials who determine o= ur government’s role in providing health care, research, and public information related to this disease.

“We are proud of = the leadership and energy that Evelyn has devoted to the fight against cancer. Conquering cancer is as much a public policy challenge as it is a scientific challenge. Our Legislative Ambassadors play a critical role,” said Vi= cki Rakowski, the Chief Operating Officer of the American Cancer Society-Great Lakes Division.

The LAPEL awards are gi= ven annually. In order to receive the ACS LAPEL pin, a perspective recipient, or Legislative Ambassador, must complete a broad and ambitious set of grassroots-related activities throughout the year, which include: recruitme= nt, media outreach, dialogue with their elected officials, active participation= in elections, and attendance at local, state, and national American Cancer Soc= iety meetings.

The LAPEL pins were awa= rded during the American Cancer Society’s Indiana Lobby Day. More than 300 volunteers from around the state attended and asked their legislators to en= act changes in public policy to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. Specifically, volunteers urged their legislators to increase the state̵= 7;s tobacco tax by $1.00.