Aldenville resident receives national award

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE, PA - Carol Spitzer, a volunteer of the American Cancer Society in Wayne County, was chosen to receive the National Woman of Courage Award for 2008.

The two-time cancer survivor was flown to San Diego, CA to receive the award and appeared on the ABC-TV program “Frosted Pink with a Twist” that ran from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 19. Her expenses were paid for by Nationwide Insurance Company, which sponsored the award.

“A colleague of mine sent in an application to Nationwide unbeknownst to me, and her application won,” Spitzer said.

For 15 years, Spitzer has assisted women diagnosed with breast cancer, counseling them and taking them to the hospital for treatment if they had no transportation.

“I received a wonderful plaque and a beautiful pearl bracelet,” Spitzer said. “I don’t feel I deserve all this attention,” she said. “I just did what many others have done to help women who are shocked after they are diagnosed. I remember how shocked I was.”

Spitzer was also honored by the Wayne County Commissioners when they issued the proclamation announcing October as National Breast Cancer Month.

“The county needs people like Carol Spitzer who spend many hours helping county women who suffer from this devastating disease,” said Brian Smith, commissioners chair.

“There are so many new practices and protocols to treat breast cancer that didn’t exist just a few years ago,” said Donna Decker, spokesperson of Wayne Memorial Hospital, who also attended the meeting. “No one should skip having a mammogram because they have no money. There are any number of groups and individuals who contribute to a fund to pay for these essential diagnostic tools.”