Fight Cancer. Make Time. > Karen Malcolm
It has been almost two years since Karen Malcolm’s life changing mammogram. Karen’s cancer was detected early. An abnormal, grey spot led to a lumpectomy and 28 days of radiation therapy.
Since her recovery, Karen has been busy serving her community. A retired 911 telecommunicator with over 25 years of experience, Karen’s passion for service, extends beyond her professional career. From her membership in the Toastmasters International as the Vice President of Education
and to coaching a Special Olympics team, Karen’s interests know no bounds.
Karen's maternal family are from the Nevada area Paiute tribes. She continues to celebrate her cultural heritage, as an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and stays active with the Longhouse for the Seven Drums Religion services, “Washat.” Karen is currently working with ACS CAN to start the volunteer Indigenous Voices Affinity Group.
Karen, as a part of the Oregon ACT Leadership Crew, is a firm advocate of the importance of early detection. One of their top goals is to convince Rep. Cliff Bentz to support Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests (MCED) and other early screening acts.
“Too many people I love are being affected by cancer,” Karen said. “It is time for everyone to make a difference.”
Being nominated for the ACS CAN National ACT Lead award was a huge accomplishment for Karen and the team in Oregon. Milestone after milestone, Karen and her team continue the step towards making a difference. Another milestone worth celebrating? Her recent clear mammogram.
These days, life for Karen is all about cherishing moments with her loved ones and spending more time with her three grandchildren and three dogs, three cockatiels, and cat., When she’s not volunteering and spending time with family, you can find Karen reading Stephen King, or playing Zelda video games.