LMR Shareholder Generously Gives Her Time So Others Can Breathe Easier

Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA shareholder Paula DePlanche has been a distinguished leader for the American Lung Association in New Hampshire.  As she celebrates 30 years with Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA this November, she also celebrates 11 years of volunteerism with the American Lung Association, where she helped to organize events, raise awareness and educate the local community on the dangers of lung disease.

“Paula has been a member of the Lung Association family for more than 10 years.  As a volunteer her work has helped us to reach more families with lung disease, and as a member of our leadership board her support has been integral to our success,” said Jeff Seyler, Chief Division Officer of the American Lung Association.  “Paula is an incredible volunteer and we are lucky to work alongside her.”

Paula began her support of the American Lung Association in 2007.  Since that time she has served as Chair of the Leadership Board, Chair of the Audit Committee and has volunteered for the organization’s Cycle the Seacoast event since its inception in 2011.  Her work with the Lung Association has led to additional support from Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, which has been a sponsor of the Cycle the Seacoast event throughout its nine years.

“Working with the American Lung Association has been a privilege and an adventure,” Paula said.  “The staff is passionate about community engagement and they have made it fun and easy to contribute to their efforts and save or improve the lives of those suffering with lung disease.”

Paula’s involvement stemmed from a personal experience with the devastation caused by lung disease, as her grandfather was stricken with lung cancer and suffered from COPD. He ultimately lost his life to COPD.

The 9th Annual Cycle the Seacoast event took place on May 6th, 2018 with over 400 cyclists and 200 volunteers participating in support of the American Lung Association. The one-day, multi-route cycling event is held at Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire each year on the first Sunday of May, and has raised over $115,000 this year alone for the American Lung Association and over $750,000 over the last nine years.

As the nation’s first voluntary health organization, the American Lung Association was founded by volunteers, and over a century later, they remain a vibrant, energizing force at both the national and regional levels. The tradition of volunteerism continues to shine through volunteers like Paula, who have shown exemplary effort in advancing the organization’s mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy.