Crapo Awards Kootenai County Resident With Spirit Of Idaho Award

Coeur dâ??Alene, ID â?? A local cancer center volunteer was honored this morning by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who presented Judy Nixon with his Spirit of Idaho award during a ceremony held at the Kootenai Medical Center. Nixon was recognized for her volunteer efforts in cancer prevention and follow-up as well as other community volunteer efforts. She is the fifth Idahoan to receive the award this year. â??Idaho is a better place in which to live as a result of Judyâ??s efforts,â?? Crapo said. â??She has used her skills as a nurse to help individuals prevent cancer, has provided support to those dealing with the disease, and has helped raise money for cancer treatment and research. Her dedication to the individuals and organizations in the community has been exceptional. I am pleased to award her with the Spirit of Idaho.â?? Nixon has coordinated Reach to Recovery for the American Cancer Society for ten northern Idaho counties for a number of years. As coordinator, she travels throughout the counties training breast cancer survivors to become Reach to Recovery volunteers in their communities. She has expanded the program in Kootenai County by educating surgeons about the program. Nixon was also instrumental in organizing the first Race for the Cure in Coeur dâ??Alene. The Race now provides over $100,000 dollars to local health programs for prevention and early diagnosis efforts to underinsured individuals. Nixon has been on the Dirne Center and Womenâ??s Center Board of Directors, and will become the Coeur dâ??Alene Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in April. In addition, she volunteers weekly at the Kootenai Medical Center Breast Cancer Support Group. Nixon also regularly volunteers in local schools helping with hearing and eye screenings.Spirit of Idaho awards are presented to Idahoans who have made significant contributions to their communities. The first Spirit of Idaho award was presented in November of 2000; since that time, more than 100 Idahoans have been honored for their efforts to improve their local communities and the quality of life in Idaho.# # #