Foundation Announces Touched By Cancer College Scholarship Winners

OWENSBORO, KY – Two students who will attend Western Kentucky University in the fall are the named recipients of the 2007 Touched By Cancer scholarships, awarded by The Foundation For Health at Owensboro Medical Health System.

Kristen Fort, a Western senior, and Kelly Gleason – who will graduate from Daviess County High School this month and begin classes at the university in the fall – have each received $1,000 to pay for educational expenses in the coming academic year.

Intended for college-bound cancer survivors diagnosed before turning 21, the fund was established through memorial contributions as part of the capital campaign for the OMHS Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center . The scholarship is named in memory of the late Dr. Leslie M. Riherd, Jr., who died in February 2005 after a five-year bout with cancer. 

Fort, a cancer survivor since age two, said in an essay she wrote to accompany her application for scholarship that cancer has played a positive role in her life.

“God has put me on this earth for a reason… He has shown me that I have the potential to improve the lives of others,” she said. “Cancer is now a source of strength and motivation for me. It has shown me that through perseverance and determination I can accomplish anything in life.”

After graduating in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in corporate and organizational communication, Fort plans on pursing a master’s degree and a possibly career in healthcare administration.

Gleason said in her essay that she considered her cancer to be a blessing in disguise.  Diagnosed at age 12, Gleason said that from the day she found out she had the disease she placed her faith in Christ alone, and decided that she would live each day being thankful for all she had. Her future plans include a career in elementary school education or choosing a profession in the medical field.

“Through my struggle I realized how fortunate and blessed I am and I hope to pursue a career where I can do that for others,” she said. “Christ came to earth to serve us, and I hope I can do that with my life.”’

Owensboro Medical Health System serves an 11-county region in Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Our mission is to heal the sick and improve the health of our community with a vision to meet the region’s healthcare needs by actively listening and partnering with those we serve. OMHS is a full-service hospital, employing a workforce of over 2,700. In addition to hospital and rehabilitation services, OMHS includes the HealthPark – a medical-based fitness center – home health services, a wound healing center, two outpatient diagnostic centers, the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center and the McAuley Clinic, which provides health care for the uninsured; OMHS also operates MultiCare, Madisonville.

The Foundation For Health  is a subsidiary of OMHS, supporting health-related projects for the hospital and others that benefit the region, offering opportunities for individuals, corporations, and other foundations to support the hospital’s mission.