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Waukegan , Ill. , 06/06/05 – Cancer can be very trying on a patient's spirit, drive, and life. Some people succumb to the stress and become bitter towards the disease. Others grow from the experience and become stronger. And a select few learn from the disease and choose to become crusaders against cancer. Pat Lehr, RN, ( Beach Park ), Case Manager, Vista Health, is one of these cancer crusaders.

After personally surviving cancer twice, she decided to focus her life on helping others get through the disease that once afflicted her. In June, she was recognized for her choice.

The American Cancer Society, one of the nation's leading cancer awareness and education organizations, selected Pat to receive the Lane W. Adams Quality of Life Award —a national award recognizing exemplary cancer care.

“I am very happy to be recognized by my colleagues in this fashion. Everyone who works in cancer care puts their heart into their work, so I feel very honored to have been singled out,” Pat said upon learning of the award.

Pat is not new to cancer nursing. Her passion for humanity and providing the best care possible led her to start the Cancer Care Unit at Victory Memorial Hospital with Naren Kapadia, M.D. (an independent, board-certified oncologist with offices in Gurnee). That was 25 years ago.

Today, she has incorporated new avenues for the fight against cancer. Still working with cancer patients and their families as a case manager at Vista Health's Victory Memorial Hospital , she recently began a support group for cancer patients in northeastern Lake County .

Lehr also gives her time to the American Cancer Society. Mary Kennedy, American Cancer Society, said, “She really has a gift for dealing with people. [Calling her] an angel doesn't even do her service—maybe an archangel.”

Pat is dedicated to the success of “Relay for Life”, one of the biggest cancer research fundraisers in the nation. As a volunteer for “Reach to Recovery” she offers support to breast cancer patients.

Much like Pat, Lane W. Adams, for whom the American Cancer Society's Award of Excellence in Caring is named, dedicated his life to the American Cancer Society. He ultimately served as National Executive Vice President of the American Cancer Society.

During his 26 years with the American Cancer Society, Adams became well known for his compassionate and committed concern for the well-being of people with cancer. He was the driving force behind programs like “Reach to Recovery,” “I Can Cope,” and “Road to Recovery.”

In addition, under his leadership the American Cancer Society was the first to advocate the pap test and mammography, to advocate smoking cessation programs, and to develop cancer check-up guidelines. Today, these efforts remain the cornerstone of cancer control, saving millions of lives and sparing immeasurable suffering by detecting cancer early to ensure effective treatment.

“Nearly my entire nursing career has been dedicated to cancer patients,” said Pat. “It is a field in which you really need to put your heart and soul in order to be effective. This Quality of Life award is so meaningful to me because it will serve as a lasting reminder of my love for all of my patients.”

Pat will receive her award on June 9 at a special awards ceremony hosted by the American Cancer Society in Atlanta , Georgia.