Martha Caine wins the IN MI Heart Award at this year’s Indiana Lobby Day

The annual IN MI Heart Award was created to recognize one outstanding volunteer in the state of Indiana and one in the state of Michigan for achievement in advocacy. We were pleased to announce Martha Caine as the 2011 winner at this year’s Indiana Lobby Day.

In order to be considered for the award, the nominee must:

• Demonstrate outstanding and successful leadership in cancer-related public policy at the national, state, or local levels;
• Make substantial contributions to the fight against cancer at the state level or in their community;
• Actively participate in ACS local and state-level events and advocacy initiatives throughout the year;
• Be an active member of ACS CAN; and
• Be a Community Cancer Advocate

Martha is a fierce cancer advocate, supporting our advocacy efforts at the federal, state, and local levels of government. As an ACT! Lead, she has fulfilled her responsibilities by establishing a relationship with staff in the office of her U.S. Rep. She is always looking for opportunities to meet with her Representative and educates him and his staff about cancer issues.

When it comes to smokefree air, she is one of the strongest champions we have. Martha not only supported our efforts to make the state smokefree, she has had a huge impact on her own community. Last year she worked to pass a smokefree law in Vanderburgh County, and just one year later her city – Evansville –passed one of the strongest smokefree workplace ordinances in the state of Indiana.

These victories were made possible by the hard work and dedication of Martha as well as the staff and advocates in our Southwest Indiana Service Center who have showed leadership around advocacy by recruiting volunteers and Community Cancer Advocates, taking action, and influencing their lawmakers.

Please join us in congratulating Martha Caine – the 2011 IN MI Heart award winner!  Michigan’s winner will be announced at the Michigan Lobby Day in May.

Pictured: Martha receiving her award at Indiana lobby day.