Maureen Avila

As a 34-year-old of Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage whose office is decorated with Buddha figurines, Chicago's "Cows on Parade" collectibles and a bead curtain rendition of Gustav Klimt's The Kiss, Maureen Avila may not seem like the typical Sarasota attorney. But in many ways the feisty family law practitioner (she did so well by one Longboat Key woman during her divorce that the ex-husband's new wife called Avila when she decided to divorce him) is an example of a new kind of Sarasota professional: young Hispanic, educated and eager to stir the political stew.-Sarasota magazine 2004

As a volunteer for the Sarasota County American Cancer Society I have greatly increased my knowledge regarding the services provided by ACS. Despite losing both my parents to cancer, I never availed myself to ACS and its vast array of services. I just didn't know what programs/services were available. Now, I serve on the Board of Directors and am on the advocacy committee. ACS services are amazing and I invite you to familiarize yourself with same in case you or a loved one is effected by this horrible disease.

Each year, an estimated 6, 125 people in our area and more than 107,000 people across Florida will be diagnosed with cancer. ACS is the one place they can turn to 24/7.

ACS volunteers educate our neighbors about cancer risk-reduction, detection and treatment, provide hope and support for patients and their families; and advocate to make cancer a government priority through Advocacy Day in Tallahassee. We also organize fund-raising events such as Relay for Life, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and balls and galas. This past April, I participated as recruitment chair for the downtown Sarasota Relay for Life. We recruited over 50 teams and raised over $150,000.00! What a special event to participate in by remembering those who lost their battle against cancer and supporting survivors who continue to fight back.

The funds raised by ACS are invested in detection, prevention, patient services and research. Seventy seven cents of each dollar raised is used for the aforementioned services. Local cancer patients and their families received 5,780 services through ACS 24/7 toll free phone line and Patient Services Center. Support groups such as "Man to Man" and "Recovery from Breast Cancer" benefitted over 170 local survivors. One hundred seventy five (175) patients received 1,937 transportation services to and from treatment. Sixty two (62) patients from our area received free lodging at one of Florida's Hope Lodges while undergoing treatment. "Reaching Out to Cancer Kids" (R.O.C.K.) program provided 19 local children and their families with college scholarships and summer camp experiences.

Please consider volunteering for ACS and participating in our fund raising activities!

P.S. I'm recruiting teams for Downtown Sarasota Relay for Life 2012!!!