Way back in 1991, longtime volunteer George Vietor had an idea. More than 20 years later, that idea has become a multi-million dollar source of support for MD Anderson patients and caregivers.
With an original goal of building an endowment to $1 million in 10 years, the target was achieved in just nine years. Under the guidance of the Department of Volunteer Services, the Volunteer Endowment for Patient Support (VEPS) now stands at more than $2.6 million.
Each quarter, the interest generated from the endowment is returned to fund patient-oriented programs and services at MD Anderson. VEPS has disbursed more than $1.8 million since 1992.
In 2011, 33 programs received a total of $287,229. Among the programs that benefited are:
- COLLAGE: The Art for Cancer Network Artist-in-Residence Program
- Stem Cell Transplantation Caregiver Program
- Nutrition videos on healthy eating
- Together in Hope Conference for brain tumor patients
- Childhood Cancer Survivor Celebration
- Clinical Center for Targeted Therapy Patient Resource Guide
- Regional care centers amenities
- "Guide to Managing Your Chemotherapy Treatment" video
The annual VEPS luncheon is the primary fundraising activity for the endowment. MD Anderson President Ronald DePinho, M.D., will be the featured speaker at this year's event, which will be held on March 21 at River Oaks Country Club in Houston.
For more information, contact Maggi Suttles at 713-745-0270 or mreese@mdanderson.org.
To read more about VEPS and other volunteer programs at MD Anderson, check out the winter issue of the Volunteer Voice newsletter. Subscribe to Voice to keep up with volunteer activities.
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