Johnson named Hero of Hope

By Staff
Melissa Cason
A local cancer survivor and activist was recently named a Hero of Hope by the American Cancer Society.
Breast cancer survivor and local Relay for Life committee chairperson Belinda Johnson will join a handful of heroes selected this year in Alabama.
ACS volunteer coordinator Beth Faulkner nominated Johnson for the honor.
"This honor is well deserved by Belinda, " Faulkner said. "She is very passionate about the American Cancer Society's mission and represents the ACS very well."
Johnson is in her second year as the Relay For Life chairperson for Franklin County and has lead the relay to reach their goal in her first year as chair which had not been done in several years.
"She has breathed new life into a 13 year-old event. Her leadership and enthusiasm has re-energized the veteran volunteers and added new committee members and teams to the Relay For Life," Faulkner said.
Johnson is the director of nurses at Russellville Hospital and through her daily responsibilities she integrates all of the ACS services and programs. She is also an advocacy volunteer for the society.
"She attended Celebration on the Hill in Washington D.C. and when she returned, she presented a slide presentation and talked to the Franklin County teams and committee about her experience that made all of us feel as if we had been there as well," Faulkner said. "She is extremely well spoken and a true leader in every sense of the word."