Katherine Emerson, Flathead Valley Community College, Montana

Kathy Emerson, a sophomore at Flathead Valley Community College, is a spokesperson for the fight against cancer and advocate for affordable healthcare. A longtime supporter of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Kathy chaired the annual event in Columbia Falls for four years after her oldest son was diagnosed with leukemia at age 12 and later lung lymphoma. Kathy also volunteers at Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic in Whitefish and works at North Valley Hospital on the medical/surgical floor on the evenings.  Kathy intends to continue caring for others, particularly cancer patients undergoing treatment, upon earning her nursing degree.