The 'Courageous' Among Us

For all that has been said about the terrorist bombings in Boston, it is the immediate aftermath, with all its mayhem, that reminds us that there are those who bravely run toward danger.

Those who rushed to the rescue were regular citizens as well as first responders, but all certainly demonstrated an element of courage that saved lives, and ultimately became a source of pride for us all.

But we don’t need disasters to recognize the “courageous” among us. 

Recently freeholders recognized a 59-year-old Mount Laurel woman whose three-year battle with cancer was surpassed only by her efforts to engage, support and assist others in her situation.

Loretta O’Donnell became the first recipient of the Burlington County Courage Award, a plaque which states that Loretta, “in the face of adversity, has demonstrated extraordinary strength of character, has emerged as an outstanding role model for others, and has touched and inspired us all.”

For the record, Loretta is a former information officer for County government.  When she was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in March 2010, she had no idea, when she walked out of her office for the last time, what the future would hold.

She has been through a battery of chemotherapy and other treatments, and, well, she is not out-of-the-woods.  But she has battled on.  And she has shared her triumphs and setbacks with a cadre of friends and acquaintances who have been captivated by her story.

Along the way, she has turned her battle into a crusade for others. For example: 

• She participated in the Colon Cancer Alliance’s national conference and 5K fundraiser in Philadelphia; 
• She has done a great deal of volunteer writing, some of it for the American Chronic Pain Association newsletter, all of it to help and encourage others;
• She has participated in national online cancer information networks and workshops;
• She participated in Spotlight on Cancer show presided over by Katie Couric; and, 
• She has been editing stories of women cancer survivors for a book being authored by another individual.  

Then, she really caught our attention when she participated in a much-publicized, if not unique fashion show fundraiser in February in New York City for the beatliverstumor.org group. 

Loretta serves as a reminder that “courage” doesn’t always surface during times of unexpected terror.  There are many among us who face personal adversity, on a daily basis, yet somehow rise to the occasion, and demonstrate by their actions they are not backing down.

Undoubtedly, in the future, we will be honoring others who rightfully fall into this category.  They will receive what we have aptly named the “Loretta O’Donnell Courage Award.”