CCHS Girls Soccer Team honored with first-ever Parkview Cancer Care Award
(Talk of the Town photo provided) The Columbia City High School Lady Eagles Soccer Team and a Parkview Health employee were presented the first-ever Cancer Care Awards during an April 22 ceremony at the Parkview Comprehensive Cancer Center in Fort Wayne. From left, above, is Rae Gonterman, executive director, Parkview Cancer Services; Alan Yahanda, MD, FACS, Indiana Surgical Specialists; Kathy Schaffer, Parkview Hospital case manager and Cancer Care Award winner; Bill Duffy, head coach, Columbia City High School Lady Eagles Soccer Team and Cancer Care Award winner; Gregg Goewert, principal, Columbia City High School; and Geoff Penrod, athletic director, Columbia City High School. The school officials accepted the award on behalf of the student athletes.
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Parkview’s Comprehensive Cancer Center presented the first-ever Cancer Care Awards on April 22 to honor the dedication, determination, innovation, sacrifices and courage of those whose efforts improve the quality of life for people who have cancer.
The Columbia City High School Lady Eagles Soccer Team, coached by Bill Duffy, was the recipient of the organization award. The team showed tremendous community pride and a caring attitude by organizing a series of fundraisers that resulted in $6,500 going toward the Whitley County Community Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle free mammogram program. The team coordinated its public outreach as part of Columbia City High School’s 15th season of soccer.
Kathy Schaffer, of New Haven, received the individual award. Schaffer is a breast cancer survivor and leader of the Lymphedema Support Group, as well as the Conquering Breast Cancer Support Group, which is sponsored by the Parkview Comprehensive Cancer Center and Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana. She has shown love and passion for those in need of encouragement and support. She also serves as a cardio case coordinator for Parkview.
“So many people are doing great things in the cancer field,” said Dr. Alan Yahanda, Indiana Surgical Specialists and cancer liaison physician for the Parkview Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Cancer Committee. “Prior to today, many of them have done so with little or no recognition. This important award spotlights their efforts, and we hope will also inspire others to get involved.”
The winners received custom artwork from local artist Gary Travis commissioned specifically for the award program, as well as recognition on a plaque in a display at the Parkview Comprehensive Cancer Center. Parkview plans to make the Cancer Care Award an annual event. The winners were chosen by a committee from among nominations received. The decision reached by the committee was difficult, because there were several nomination stories about people that are making a positive difference in the community.