From “Volunteen” for the American Red Cross to adult volunteer with the American Cancer Society, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Food Gatherers, the Baking Brigade with Avalon Housing and more, Michelle Nasers keeps working to make the world a better place.
“I’ve been so fortunate in my life. I’m happy. I don’t go hungry. I really do feel that everything I do is my legacy,” says Nasers, a cancer survivor who after several years of working with MHealthy today begins a new role as administrative assistant to the Major Gift Team in the Comprehensive Cancer Center Development Office.
“My decision to change jobs was a really difficult one. I enjoyed working with the staff at MHealthy and have some great friends there, but I also have a very strong personal interest in working in an environment where I could feel like the work that I do is meaningful and beneficial to people who have been affected by cancer,” Nasers says.
Her father died six years ago after a two-year battle with cancer. Two years ago, she also was diagnosed with the disease. Her treatment since has been successful.
Nasers says her work with the American Cancer Society (ACS) and Lance Armstrong Foundation stems from her encounter with the disease. “I felt that maybe I could use my experience as a basis for helping others who have the same questions that my family and I had.” She provides information through the ACS Ypsilanti chapter.
While many this fall may be looking forward to football tailgates or a trip to the cider mill, Nasers schedule includes the Food Gatherers’ Give A Little, Feed A Lot brown-bag campaign for Hunger Action Month in September, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Oct. 17 and Rockin’ for the Hungry Dec. 2-6.
Before leaving MHealthy, she organized an office food drive that netted nearly 2,000 pounds of food for Food Gatherers.
Her first volunteer experience came at 15. “I worked as a Volunteen with the Red Cross — complete with candy-striper jumper and hat. I loved doing that. I felt like I was really helping people,” she says. Nasers worked at a hospital on a surgical floor and passed out water, helped deliver meals, kept rooms tidy, helped with filing and more. “I loved interacting with the patients. I also helped out with Special Olympics and was involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters,” she says.
A native of Battle Creek, she and husband John Nasers — they met in junior high — lived in family housing while both attended U-M in the early ’90s. Meanwhile, her volunteer work continued to grow.
Nasers identifies her most significant volunteer-related experience as attending last summer’s LiveStrong Summit in Ohio: “It was life-changing. I came away from that experience knowing that I really can make a difference.”
Nasers says she volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters partly because she and John don’t have children of their own. Matched with little sister Nicole for almost two years, Nasers helps the teen’s mother to provide direction. “She’s in high school and there are all kinds of challenges there. Maybe I can help her to deal with some of those challenges,” she says.
She and John recently celebrated their 17th anniversary. They share their Belleville home with a dog and cat.
The weekly Spotlight features staff members at the university. To nominate a candidate, please contact the Record staff at [email protected].
