(Seguin) — Seguin is home to one of the country’s top champions in its fight against cancer.
For several years, Barbara Behal has called upon Congress and state leaders to make fighting cancer a top priority. Having been appointed to the American Cancer Society’s advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network or ACS CAN, Behal has worked to petition an increase in federal funding for cancer research and has worked tirelessly to equip cancer patients and their families with the services they deserve.
Recently, that work did not go unnoticed as she was named as one of four ACT (Ambassador Constituent Team) Lead of the Year award recipients in the country.
The recognition all took place in September while Behal was attending the ACS CAN National Lobby Days in Washington, D.C. – an event that she has been attending since 2006.
Even though it has already been several weeks since receiving the national recognition, Behal says the shock is still lingering.
“I didn’t know anything about it. They read a bio and I thought man I’ve got to work harder and then when they called my name, of course, they mispronounced it but I knew it was still me because I’m used to that and I sat there. My friends were saying Barbara, that’s you! Get up! Get up! And, so I finally got up and went on stage. I was like me? I’m getting this award? That’s only for the top people, not me. It was a shock. I was nominated by my peers and to be selected on a national level, it’s just awesome. I can’t even describe it. It’s just too much to even take in for me,” said Behal.
Behal says she is committed to her role as an ambassador and will continue the fight for as long as she can.
“I had an aunt, my father’s side, who had breast cancer in the 1930s. She never had reconstruction. Her chest looked like a road map. I had another aunt on my father’s side who had breast cancer in the 1960s. They lived to be old people. So my genes are good on that side. On my mother’s side, her brother died of prostate cancer and her sister died of lung cancer and ovarian cancer and I don’t know — a little voice came to me and said, ‘you need to get involved. You need to help people.’ And, I never realized that I would become so involved. At that time, there was just the board. The American Cancer Society, had a board here in Guadalupe County and I got on it and then in ‘99, we started planning for Relay and in 2000, we had our first Relay and I’ve been going ever since then,” said Behal.
Having the national spotlight, however, is not just applause for her work but it serves as a platform for Behal to continue to do what she does best and that’s helping to save lives.
“For one thing, you know your own body. Keep on knowing it and early detection saves lives and helps with money because you don’t spend as much money on treatments. My sister-in-law was diagnosed in April or May of this year. She had five radiation treatments and was declared free because she caught it early. She got her mammogram. So, if you have a suspicious spot, go to the doctor. Don’t wait for it to go away or do something,” said Behal.
As part of the Lobby Days in the nation’s capital, the ACS CAN also hosts the Lights of Hope, the group’s signature fundraiser dedicated to honoring those who have been touched by cancer and remembering those who have been lost. This year marked the 13th anniversary of the event. Somewhat similar to the local Relay for Life’s luminaria event, the event not only raises money for the continued success of the group, but it serves as a reminder to Congress to do more in the fight against the disease.
Behal says oftentimes folks are unsure where their money goes when supporting American Cancer Society fundraisers such as they did last weekend during the Guadalupe and Comal County Relay for Life event at Max Starcke Park. But for others, she says it is very clear.
“The advances that have been made in cancer are tremendous. I have a friend who donates very heavily to the American Cancer Society and her mother, a number of years ago was diagnosed with some kind of cancer. I don’t even remember what and she researched it and she said ‘You know, there wasn’t a cure for this until four years ago.’ I said, ‘you see where your money is going?’ She goes, ‘You know, I never thought about it that way.’ So, the life you can save is yours or your loved ones,” said Behal.
Behal was honored in front of 700 other CAN volunteers who each represent their congressional districts for their respective states including Puerto Rico and Guam.