Crawford decided no one should have to go through something like that alone. So, she has dedicated more than three decades to her life to volunteering with the American Cancer Society.

Her dedication has not gone unnoticed--the ACS recently presented Crawford with its Patient Courage Award.

Crawford first began volunteering after her breast cancer diagnosis. She served at every level of the organization--local, regional and state--and in every capacity--fundraising, mission delivery, patient services and education and legislative and patient advocacy.

"For more than 30 years, Gay has designed, developed and implemented many programs, some of which would not exist were it not for her persistence in funding, recruiting volunteers and providing leadership," says Rose Simmons, regional vice president of the Silicon Valley/Central Coast Region of ACS. "In [this] region, Gay Crawford is the face of the American Cancer Society."

Just a few of Crawford's accomplishments include helping to expand the Reach to Recovery program from three to 13 hospitals, which provides one-on-one support to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer; founding, chairing and recruiting volunteers and sponsors for the ACS Courageous Kids Day, which is a "day off from cancer" hosted by Paramount's Great America; and helping design media campaigns for breast and prostate cancer and nutrition. She is also a founding chair of the Silicon Valley's Donor Recognition Evening and a founding member of the Grandview League Cattle Baron's Ball and the Colon Cancer Free Zone.

"In counseling cancer patients and families for over 25 years, we estimate Gay may have personally touched the lives of at least 1,000 women. And her fundraising efforts have yielded more than $1 million for the society," Simmons says. "Gay is an inspiration to all who know and work beside her."

For more information, call 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit www.cancer.org.