Great Falls Woman Selected for Bette Bohlinger Leadership Award
Sue Warren of the Great Falls Clinic will be awarded the annual 2008 Bette Bohlinger Leadership Award Friday, May 9 at noon at the Montana Cancer Control Coalition statewide meeting held at Bozeman Deaconess Cancer Center.
Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger will be on hand to present the award to Warren.
Warren has been involved with the Cancer Control Coalition since its inception in 2003 including serving as co-chair for the last three years.
“Sue’s contributions to the coalition have been tremendous,” said Ginny Furshong of the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program for the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). “She has unbelievable energy and passion for cancer awareness, prevention and control, and carries these qualities with her in her professional and personal life.”
Warren joins previous recipients Dr. Barbara Lloyd in 2006 and Rita McDonald in 2007.
Bette died of acute myeloid leukemia in 2006 and following her passing the coalition created the award to honor an exceptional individual or organization that encourages, inspires, and leads others within the group.
The Bohlingers’ fight against cancer began long before Bette was diagnosed. John is a prostate cancer survivor and both his parents died of cancer. “It’s so important to share our cancer experiences as a way to give others hope and strength in their time of need,” John said. “It’s people like Sue Warren who are truly making a difference in the on-going battle against cancer.”
The coalition, in partnership with DPHHS, was created 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.
In 2006, the coalition published its five-year Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan for 2006-2011. The document puts forth the state’s plan that will help prevent, reduce, and control cancer.
According to the coalition’s 2007 annual report:
- In 2008, it’s estimated about 1,940 Montanans will die of cancer. That’s more than five deaths each day.
- Cancer accounts for more than one-fifth of all Montana deaths.
- At least half of all cancer cases in the United States could be prevented or detected earlier through screening.
For more information call Furshong at 406-444-6888.
Page last updated: 05/07/2008
