Sandra "Sandi" Cassese has been volunteering with the American Cancer Society for more than 25 years. She is Immediate Past Chair of the ACS CAN Board of Directors and serves as a National Ambassador and Online Ambassador for ACS CAN. Ms. Cassese was a member of the Society’s former Eastern Division Board, including service as chair in 2015-2016.
Ms. Cassese has been a speaker at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events and breakfasts and is an active supporter, having achieved the designation of Making Strides Pacesetter five times. She has served as a trainer for the Triple Touch and Reach to Recovery programs. She previously served as the State Lead Ambassador for New York and participated in the Celebration on The Hill events. Ms. Cassese received the St. George National Award in 2009, The Capitol Dome Award in 2011, and the Volunteer Award for Excellence in Advocacy from ACS CAN in 2017. In addition to her service to ACS and ACS CAN, Ms. Cassese was recognized by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2008 when she was named an Athena Award Honoree in recognition of excellence in her profession, commitment to her community, and support of other women's leadership goals. In 2012, she was honored by the American Cancer Society's Hudson Valley Region in appreciation for her leadership and dedication to helping create a world with more birthdays through volunteerism. She was also honored by Hospice, Inc. for her dedication to Hospice and to the Mid-Hudson Valley Community. In 2014, Ms. Cassese was recognized for her work to improve mammography screening rates for minority women in Dutchess County. She also serves on the Board of Directors for The Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State.
Ms. Cassese earned her Nursing Diploma from The Charles E. Gregory School of Nursing, a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from The State University of New York at New Paltz, and a Master's degree in Community Health from Sage Graduate School. She is the President and Chief Operating Officer for Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties in New York’s Hudson Valley.