Community: Survivors honored at Courage Awards luncheon

Four cancer survivors were lauded for their strength in battling the disease during the Courage Awards luncheon earlier this month at the Brandview Connection.

The event was presented by the Glendale Adventist Medical Center’s Dr. Norick Bogossian Cancer Care Guild, which was established by the Glendale Medical Center Foundation.

The guild raises funds for patient support services at the Glendale Adventist Cancer Center. The support services are offered for free to anyone with a cancer diagnosis, even if they are not being treated at Glendale Adventist.

Patients have access to personal and family counseling, support groups, classes in jewelry-making, knitting, fitness programs and an image enhancement service that provides wigs, hats and scarves.

Those honored during the luncheon were Diane Russell, Daniel Voge, Ella Boghossian and Mayor Dave Weaver.

Russell, who is the wife of former state Sen. Newt Russell, survived bladder cancer and now helps others through the challenges of the disease.

Voge survived liver disease and then squamous cell carcinoma. He later developed a rare, life-threatening condition known as Stevens-Johnson. Throughout his illnesses, he maintained a positive attitude.

Boghossian survived breast and skin cancer. Her passion for the arts has led her to share that talent with cancer patients at Glendale Adventist.

Weaver continued to offer his expertise to companies, organizations and schools throughout his cancer treatment.

The guild is named for the late Dr. Norick Bogossian, who was a highly regarded plastic/reconstructive surgeon at Glendale Adventist Medical Center. He passed away in 2009 after a battle with colon cancer. He was 56.

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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.