Marianne J. Kelly sees double after brain tumor surgery but her clear vision for cancer patients has eased psychic pains for scores in Maryland.
She's aware of cancer aftereffects. She saw her 14-year-old sister die. Her 4-year-old daughter went through four years of leukemia treatment and has been free of the disease for 16 years. She survived chemotherapy and a 16-hour brain tumor operation in 1989.
Her long recovery led her in January 1995 to begin working to minimize the trauma of changes from treatments. For her work, a concept that is spreading among Maryland hospitals, Kelly on Wednesday became one of 14 recipients of the 13th annual Volunteer Awards given by Gov. Parris N. Glendening in Annapolis.
"I had a very strong feeling," she said, "that cancer patients get depressed over visible changes from treatment. Hair loss and dark circles under the eyes from chemotherapy. Skin marks from radiation. Scarring from surgery. Men as well as women. Much more.
"They needed sensitive help they often didn't get."
In her mission as founder of the Image Recovery Center at Union Memorial Hospital, Kelly, 46, has counseled and provided wigs, hats and turbans, breast prostheses, skin care products,
techniques, literature, videos and understanding for more than 315 recovering cancer patients.
Those benefiting were not only at Union Memorial, where her husband, Edward J. Kelly III, is president, but also at other hospitals. Five Maryland hospitals plan to open such centers.
Other honorees were:
Donald Keesler, Pets on Wheels. Baltimore County would have no Pets on Wheels program without him, the office said. For 2 1/2 years, after budget cuts eliminated the paid staff, he has been executive volunteer, coordinating 300 volunteers who visited 43 nursing homes with their pets.
Vernon Rice, St. Vincent de Paul's Society, Baltimore. Every day in the past year, after his job as auto mechanic, he has gone to St. Anthony's Church, Gardenville, to assist families -- 350 in the past year -- with personal financial counseling.
Samuel D. Handwerger, Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore Inc. (WEB). A certified public accountant, he advises the nonprofit and its clients on loans, cash flow, taxes and other accounting issues to help disadvantaged women become self-sufficient.
G. Austin Smith, Oxford Volunteer Fire Co., Talbot County. A member since 1929, the former chief, 84, performs duties as a company trustee and volunteer.
James H. Dryden, Department of Natural Resources, Worcester County. For 32 years, this 80-year-old has served on the Forest Service Conservancy Board and has promoted Arbor Day programs.
The Friends of Jerusalem Mill, Harford County. In 10 years the group has raised $20,000 in funds and contributed $500,000 in materials and volunteer labor on its way to a $1.7 million permanent restoration of the 1772 grist mill in Gunpowder Falls State Park.
Nancy Crawford, Cecil County Public Schools. The volunteer has raised $800, rented a bus and driven 24 disadvantaged children to summer camp and served as camp counselor for 11 years. She runs a homework club and provides early morning day care.
The Community Correctional Services Committee, Washington County. Nominated by an inmate at the Maryland Correctional Institution, the group raises thousands of dollars for programs such as Get Out and Stay Out.
David Hamill, Special Olympics, Montgomery County. Hamill has coached swimming, track and bowling in county and Maryland competition since 1991, and keeps up with athletes he has coached.
Street Cars of Desire Car Club, Howard County. This group raised more than $52,000 for the Epilepsy Association of Maryland with its annual car show. Other charities have benefited the past six years.
The Niederberger children, Calvert County. Since 1990 Michael, 15, Jessica, 12, Danielle, 10, and Rachael Niederberger, 8, of Chesapeake Beach have cared for amphibians and reptiles at The Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Nature Center, Port Republic, visited by 29,000 people each year.
Anne Margaret Finucane, Fire Safety House, Montgomery County. The Damascus High School student has volunteered 150 hours to help teach children ages 5 through 14 safety skills.
Anne Arundel Community College Chapter, American Institute of Architecture Students. This group taught students about architects and created design concepts for a recreational area around Arundel Center North and other projects.
Pub Date: 5/05/96
