Saluting an Outstanding Leader American Cancer Society SCV Unit News

 Nancy Coulter is not one for tooting her own horn, but if she were, an 18-wheeler’s honk would be a much-deserved sound blast.  For the last 25 years, Coulter has filled nearly every American Cancer Society volunteer position – from being its current leadership council president to chairing major fundraising events, running health fairs to creating support groups, performing office duties to driving oncology patients to their treatments, and everything in between.
This month, the newly minted great-grandmother and 2009 SCV Woman of the Year will step down as president, having successfully completed her most recent two-year lead role.
“It’s been a wonderful, happy ride, and I’m so proud of my ACS accomplishments and the friendships I’ve developed,” Coulter said.  “I am very blessed to have had the opportunity to give back to my community.”
Coulter – who has also served in myriad other community non-profit and volunteer capacities, as well as education, music and art-promoting roles – credits her positive attitude and giving spirit to her family.  Her loved ones include: husband Cameron; son Scott;  daughters Dawn and Heather, who died in 2012 from breast cancer and worked as the ACS SCV Unit’s health programs manager; grandchildren Madison, Hayden, Kennedy, Lincoln and Landon; and the new “great,” Brooklyn Heather.
For Coulter, experiencing her own mother’s cancer battle and daughter Heather’s fight served as a kinetic force in her ACS activism.  A motto coined by Heather has also been a source of her strength and focus: “Hope and hopelessness are both a choice … so why not choose hope!”
Stepping into Coulter’s ACS shoes will be longtime ACS volunteer Donna Nuzzi.
“Nancy is a huge inspiration,” said Nuzzi, City of Santa Clarita Emergency Services Supervisor.  “Her leadership and passion for helping others, and always supporting the ACS mission and its volunteers, is truly amazing.”
Despite her council presidency ending, Coulter says she’ll remain devoted to the non-profit.
“I cannot tell you how much the ACS means to me,” said Coulter, smiling through tears.  “I think I’m going to have to stick around.”
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.
Available 24/7, the ACS can answer your questions about cancer, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment options and clinical trials.
Call 800-227-2345 or visit its website www.cancer.org.  Contact our local ACS office at 661-298-0886 option 3.  You may also inquire about becoming an ACS volunteer!  Our local office is located at 25020 Avenue Stanford # 170.