KELOWNA, B.C. -- Kelowna-Mission MLA Sindi Hawkins is this year's recipient of the B.C. Cancer Agency Community Care Award.
The prize honours a British Columbian who "goes above and beyond" in the care of cancer patients.
Hawkins, a cancer survivor, announced last week she's retiring from politics after three terms to look after her own health.
Doctors diagnosed her with leukemia in 2004.
She has undergone two bone-marrow transplants, the latest 11 months ago.
Selection-committee member Dr. Ursula Lee says Hawkins was chosen for the personal impact she's had on cancer patients, and for her fundraising efforts to benefit cancer research.
"Her efforts are even more remarkable given that she continued to contribute, even during the course of her treatment and recovery from two bone-marrow transplants," Lee said.
Hawkins, a former cancer nurse, started a golf tournament for a cancer centre after she was first elected in 1996.
The annual fundraiser has collected more than $1 million to support cancer care for patients and research at the agency.
She helped launch an outreach program for leukemia survivors, the first of its kind in North America. Doctors travel from Vancouver to the Okanagan to assess patients and provide follow-up care.
Last summer, she helped convince Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor and multiple winner of the Tour de France bike race, to lead a cycling event in the Okanagan.
That event raised more than $1.8 million toward blood-cancer research.
And, she co-chaired that event while enduring weekly blood transfusions.
"This goes to show her passion, enthusiasm and unstoppable commitment to the cancer cause," said Cynthia Waldek-Peters of the B.C. Cancer Foundation. "She has never hesitated to lend a hand or take a leading role in any of our fundraising activities."
Hawkins writes a weekly on-line diary, sharing the ups and downs of her cancer journey with other patients.
She wanted to "provide patients with hope that they can make it too," she said.
