VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Marjorie Cypress

Real Stories About Real People

Compassion Brings a Sense of Purpose

When Marjorie Cypress, MSN, C-ANP, CDE, discovered her special interest in diabetes, she felt as if she had entered into a tremendously exciting new world...

Becoming a volunteer gradually evolved. It all started in 1989, when an American Diabetes Association volunteer asked her to be on a local committee, and everything else soon followed.  She has since served on editorial boards for several ADA publications including Clinical Diabetes, Diabetes Spectrum, and program publications, been on the local and national-Professional Practice and Publication Policy committees; and served as Associate Editor of ADA’s Complete Nurses Guide to Diabetes Care.  She has also presented at numerous ADA Scientific Sessions and conferences. 

Currently, she is the President of the ADA Leadership Council for the New Mexico and El Paso regions. Amythyst Marciano-Vanover, M.A., ADA’s Director, of Albuquerque, New Mexico said, “Having worked with Marjorie, I've seen few who have the passion and determination she conveys in helping us remedy New Mexico's premier epidemic that is diabetes.  At the forefront of the American Diabetes Association's efforts in New Mexico is to educate and assist our population toward living healthier and happier lives.”

Many have asked Cypress if someone in her family has diabetes, but she is fortunate that no one has.  She initially became interested in diabetes because it allowed her, as a nurse practitioner, the opportunity to be very holistic in her approach to patients.  Diabetes is important to her because she sees how devastating a disease it is to individuals, the families and communities.  She remarked, however, that “unfortunately, it is not appreciated that way by many people and policy makers.”

Cypress noted that in New Mexico, it seems like almost everyone has diabetes or knows someone who has it.  She finds it frightening and would like to see people become as outraged about diabetes as they are about breast cancer or AIDS.  This way pressure could be put on the government to take a more active role in funding and public health advocacy.

She didn’t think she was articulate enough to talk to legislators.  In 2006, she participated in ADA's Call to Congress.  She then realized that she was able to speak up and enjoyed it.  Being an ADA volunteer has given her some much needed confidence as well as professional and personal growth.

An active runner for several years, Cypress has participated in several marathons and half marathons.  It is something she and her husband can do together, given their busy schedules.  In addition, she gardens, and, during the summer, makes sugar free jams and cooks with all the fruit and vegetables they harvest.  She and her husband also participate in their local community farm from which they obtain fresh, local produce.

Cypress feels blessed to be in a position to volunteer and to be able to give back to the community.  It gives her a sense of purpose to be part of a group that is working toward a worthy goal, and the best part is making new friends.  She has made wonderful life-long friends, many of whomshe has known for more than 20 years.  She marvels at how she continues to meet the most fascinating people.  Through volunteering, she has met some very caring people who have become important role models and are very committed and willing to put themselves out tirelessly for the cause.  In 2004, she was honored with the ADA’s Outstanding Educator in Diabetes Award.  She considers this to be one of the greatest honors and experiences in her life.

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