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Cancer group volunteer named Georgetown's Citizen of the Year LISA TALLYN Staff Writer A local woman who volunteers more than 2,000 hours of her time each year has earned the distinction of being named Georgetown's Citizen of the Year for 2006. Louise Brown will be recognized April 24 at an awards banquet in her honour, hosted by the Lions Club of Georgetown, which runs the Citizen of the Year program. "It was quite a shock, very humbling," said Brown of her reaction when she was told she was Georgetown's top citizen. Brown, who has lived in the area for 39 years with her husband Paul, is a retired nurse. While raising their four children she worked for more than 25 years as a volunteer with local schools including Holy Cross, St. Brigid and St. Catherine of Alexandria. She is also a longtime parishioner of Holy Cross Church. But it is her volunteer work with cancer patients that Lions Club member Doug Penrice says is where she has had the most impact. Brown originally volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society and then with Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills (CAS-HH) where she is currently Director of Patient Services, co-ordinating the services and providing much-needed equipment to local cancer patients. On top of that, Brown also still continues to drive cancer patients three to four times each week for treatment in Toronto, Kitchener, Mississauga or Hamilton, sometimes waiting up to 14 hours so she can bring the patients home again. "In an average month Louise will visit 155 patients providing support, delivering equipment and supplies to those at their most vulnerable time in their lives. Her generous spirit extends to her fellow volunteers when she brings homemade treats and gifts to the cancer office," said Penrice. Brown, a breast cancer survivor whose parents both died of cancer, thrives on her volunteer work. "I enjoy it. It's very rewarding to know that you have helped someone else," said Brown. "We've had so many wonderful volunteers here at the (CAS-HH) office." She said she's been fortunate in that her husband is very understanding of her commitment to volunteering. In addition to her volunteering at CAS-HH, Brown, a grandmother of three, also traveled to Hamilton each week for five years to help her niece with her three small children. "We do not understand what Louise runs on by always offering to help anyone," said Anu Goel, volunteer Treasurer of CAS-HH in her nomination letter for Brown. "This dynamite package of neighbourly love comes with a quiet zeal and sincere desire to help others." She said Brown's "selflessness" is so evident in all aspects of her life. "She did not feel sorry for herself years ago when diagnosed with cancer when her children were very young. She won her battle and was determined to not waste life and has been a real inspiration to all who have been touched by her kindness." Tickets for the Citizen of the Year awards dinner in Brown's honour at Lions Hall are available through Penrice at 905-873-8469 and also at the Carpet Barn.