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Pat Hughes Award of Inspiration

Patricia Carney Hughes was an angel of healing who taught her family and friends how to live even as she was dying of breast cancer. With her insight, humor and down-to-earth wisdom, Pat gave hope and confidence to hundreds of cancer patients. Her exuberance and never-give-up attitude inspired more people than she could ever have imagined. Her presence was a blessing to all who knew her. She was a living example of how a positive attitude can move mountains and of how miracles happen every day.

Pat Hughes was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 1991 and underwent a bone marrow transplant in the fall of 1993. But the disease kept coming back, and Pat kept fighting back. Pat often would say, with a typical smile on her radiant face, “I got the cancer assignment.” And she took advantage of it. She spoke tirelessly to other women fighting the disease. She consoled people both on the phone and in person. She put out a newsletter, Hughes Healing Corp., in which she shared stories of bravery, acts of inspiration and a prayer circle for all who suffered. She spoke at fundraisers for cancer research. She was a real fighter. She fought and fought, and she helped other people fight.

She was a board member of the Komen Columbus Race for the Cure, an advocate for The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. She was one of three founding members of Voices of Hope, a support group for people fighting diseases and other difficulties.

Pat Hughes lost her battle with the disease in 1997. She was only 49 years old. Three weeks before her death, Pat received a Columbus Dispatch Community Service Award for her volunteer work with cancer patients.

2005 Recipient: Liz Evans
Liz Evans is a long-time cancer awareness advocate and one of the founding members of the Columbus African American Cancer Support Group (AACSG). Waging war against breast cancer, Liz and the AACSG have banded together to fight breast cancer deaths among women and men via awareness, education and prevention. Liz has dedicated her life and has opened her home to assist cancer survivors and their care givers.

2004 Recipient: Barbara Beckwith
The recipient of this award is Barbara Beckwith. When telling her survival story, Barbara Beckwith remains positive. She views each day as a gift and dedicated her life to educating others about clinical trials participation and breast cancer prevention for their own health as well as the future of medicine. Her example has helped to eliminate the fear for women in this community, so that they can focus on good breast health.

2003 Recipient: Susie Gandert
The first recipient of this award is Susie Gandert. A breast cancer survivor, Susie was first diagnosed in 1994. She has fought through two reoccurrences, and, even though she was undergoing chemotherapy treatments, she has been a beacon of hope for many others. Her friends say: “she’s my angel of hope”, “an inspiration”, she has a “caring and positive outlook”; Susie “is the epitome of a survivor and I will always have her to thank for my strength."

Nominate someone you know for the Pat Hughes Award of Inspiration.
Click here to view and print up a nomination form.