April 30, 2007
Lame Deer Resident to Get
Bohlinger Leadership Award
Lame Deer’s Rita McDonald will be awarded the 2007 Bette Bohlinger Leadership Award Thursday, May 3, during a luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. at the Montana Cancer Control Coalition statewide meeting held at St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center in Missoula.
Jeanne Cox, daughter of Lt. Gov. John and the late Bette Bohlinger, will present the award to McDonald, a cancer survivor. She was nominated by fellow coalition member Lisa O’Brien of the Great Falls Clinic. “Rita is making a difference and contributing to cancer control efforts in Montana,” O’Brien said.
McDonald has been cancer-free for the past five years after battling colon cancer in 2002. She was lucky. She didn’t recognize the early symptoms; and when she finally went to the doctor the cancer had spread, making it more difficult to treat. After successful surgery, McDonald lived to tell her story.
After recovering from the ordeal, McDonald urged two family members to have a colonoscopy. It was a life-changing moment. As it turned out, her sister-in-law unknowingly had colon cancer and her sister had polyps, which can develop into cancer if not removed. Both were caught in time.
But, McDonald wasn’t satisfied with just helping family members. Over the past several years, she has been busy educating others outside her immediate network of family and friends. The fact she wasn’t aware of the signs is the driving force behind her passion. “I could have been better informed,” she said. “I wasn’t told that I should get a screening colonoscopy. I was totally in the dark. That’s why it’s so important to get the word out.”
In January 2006, Bette died of acute myeloid leukemia. Following her passing, the Cancer Control Coalition created the award to honor an exceptional individual or organization that encourages, inspires, and leads others within the group.
Both John and Bette supported the coalition from the outset. The award honors that dedication, as well as Bette’s courageous fight. “During her struggle, Bette touched many lives with her amazing bravery, positive attitude, and in-depth knowledge of cancer issues,” said coalition member Ginny Furshong of the Montana Comprehensive Cancer Control Program of DPHHS. “The Bohlingers recognized the importance of the coalition early on, and John continues to be very supportive today.”
The Cancer Control Coalition, in partnership with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), was formed in 2003 to educate Montana residents about cancer prevention. The group is comprised of dozens of organizations and over 150 state health advocates with the common mission to reduce the overall burden of cancer for Montanans. The coalition’s five-year Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan for 2006-2011 was published last year. The document puts forth the state’s plan that will help prevent, reduce, and control cancer.
Others nominated include Barb Lloyd, Christine Kowalski, Kristin Nei, Lois Fitzpatrick, Sue Miller, Sue Warren, and Tom Purcell.
The meeting is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 500 W. Broadway.
For more information call Furshong at 406-444-6888 or send email to gfurshong@mt.gov.
Page last updated: 04/30/2007
