A highly motivated and gifted volunteer for the American Cancer Society, Laura Simmons-Stern chairs the Society’s Relay for Life in Needham, Dedham and Wellesley. The fund-raiser brings teams of people together to celebrate cancer survivors, honor neighbors who have lost their lives to cancer and raise funds to support the fight against cancer.
Laura began volunteering with the society in 2004, after her mother died of cancer. Laura has inspired others, including friends at Needham High School where she is a student to recruit more than 450 young participants in the event.
Laura leads her committee of fellow volunteers with charisma and sensitivity. Under her guidance, the 2009 relay registered more than 750 participants, including 100 cancer survivors, and raised in excess of $193,000 for patient care and research.
The society has recognized Laura as Top Fund-raiser for the relay and selected her from thousands of volunteers to serve on its Relay Task Force, a committee that trains and supports other volunteers throughout New England.
