Tanna Vu, Director of Funds Development for Hospice of Southwest Oklahoma

Tanna Vu, Director of Funds Development for Hospice of Southwest Oklahoma

By: Amber Rogers

(Photo taken from Hospice of Southwest Oklahoma Web site.)

Tanna Vu is the Director of Funds Development for Hospice of Southwest Oklahoma. Hospice of Southwest Oklahoma is affiliated with the United Way of Lawton-Fort Sill. Vu always wanted a career that matched her personality.

"I chose the PR field because it appealed to my personality style," said Vu. "I'm a people person and enjoy interacting with groups and creating relationships."

Vu has been in the public relations industry for 15 years and has worked with many corporations.

"The PR field is very diverse, meaning it allows for many job opportunities and experiences through your lifetime," said Vu. "It is very rewarding and exciting to cultivate and interact with people and know you have a part in making the company you work for successful."

Vu graduated from the Cameron University in Lawton, Okla. with a bachelor's degree in Communication. She received her master's degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. Vu has an extensive PR professional background which includes: Southwest Medical Center, BancFirst and Springhill Suites and Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott. Vu had a personal connection with Hospice along with a working relationship from a previous job. She applied to Hospice for her current position for those reasons.

Plenty of responsibilities come with her title. Vu is responsible for ensuring funds, writing grants, holding special events, and writing donor appeal letters. She oversees marketing and education at the agency. Vu also creates brochures, creates and maintains social networking sites and creates other tools to help Hospice stay ahead of competitors. Vu is tasked with speaking on behalf of Hospice at civic groups and other venues about how Hospice impacts the communities they serve.

According to Vu, the top knowledge that is needed in the PR field is communication, marketing and human relations skills. She believes the skills necessary include the ability to relate to people on a personal level and the ability to articulate information to the community using various media such as print, radio, television or other groups.

The most rewarding part of Vu's position is knowing that she contributed to the success of continuing the legacy of Hospice by making sure the public is educated about Hospice's services. The advice she wants to give to students studying in the PR field is to look into a PR internship to ensure that PR is one's passion and to allow students to begin developing skills outside of the classroom.

A Crucial Catch: Annual Screening Saves Lives

A Crucial Catch: Annual Screening Saves Lives
By: Amber Rogers
Photo: NFL Web site

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. The National Football League (NFL) has launched a campaign in support of the fight against breast cancer. "A Crucial Catch: Annual Screening Saves Lives" is the name of the campaign and it focuses on the importance of annual screening for women especially over the age of 40. Since the month of October is nationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness month, NFL players, coaches and referees will be wearing pink, the color associated with breast cancer, apparel to help raise awareness for the cause. They are going to auction of the apparel at the NFL Auction and the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society and team charities.

This is the second year the NFL has run this campaign. The campaign was originated by DeAngelo Williams who is the Carolina Panthers' running back. He wanted to start this campaign because it hit close to home. His mother is a breast cancer survivor, but he has three aunts who have died from the disease. Williams is not the only person in the NFL who has dealt with the disease. Many people's lives in the NFL has been affected by breast cancer.

Williams heard of some players wearing pink gloves and suggested that players wear other appareal to support the cause such as cleats. They are even using pink coins in the coin tosses in the beginning of the games. Players wear a pink ribbon sticker on the back of their helmets and some also wear pink shoes, tape, or gloves to show their support.

Several retails stores, such as Dicks and Lids, along with NFL merchandise stores are involved in the fight against breast cancer and plan to donate a portion of their proceeds to breast cancer charities.

People who are not in the NFL can participate in the cause as well by joining a local American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk as part of an NFL fan team. So far the walk has raised $12, 687.50. All proceeds from the campaign will be donated to a breast cancer organization or charity.

To learn more about or get involved in the campaign, visit the NFL Web site.