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Leslie Hecht honored for mission-driven patient support

New Jersey native earns Patient Support Volunteer Award for Excellence.

Leslie Hecht was recently named the 2022 recipient of the Patient Support Volunteer Award for Excellence. The New Jersey native has been an American Cancer Society volunteer for more than two decades, starting in the Jersey Shore market as a volunteer with the Cancer Ball, one of the largest galas in the country at the time. While the Cancer Ball was her foray into volunteer work with ACS, that soon expanded with the opening of the New York City Hope Lodge 15 years ago. Leslie brought her skills as a master level knitter to the Hope Lodge and started a weekly knitting circle and afternoon tea. Anywhere from six to 12 patients and caregivers join her Wednesday weekly session, which typically lasts three to four hours. 

It’s estimated that Leslie’s total volunteer time dedicated to the Hope Lodge is approximately 5,000 hours during the last 15 years. In fact, Leslie travels two hours roundtrip from New Jersey each week to volunteer and was the first volunteer to return to Hope Lodge following the pandemic. She is a generous supporter of ACS events and initiatives including the NYC Hope Lodge Bash, Mother of the Year campaign, Relay For Life Hope Lodge event, and Hope Lodge capital campaign which raised funds to support the opening of the building. 

Thank you for your commitment to our mission, Leslie!


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