Lawrence resident Carol Wallace had a thirst for knowledge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996.

“I had wonderful physicians, but they didn’t refer me to anything,” she said. “And when they sit there and give this news and start speaking — all you hear is ‘you’ve got cancer.'”

Wallace, 71, threw herself into volunteer work for the American Cancer Society after her treatment.

Her volunteer work during the last eight years earned her the St. George National Award. The prize is presented by the American Cancer Society and is given to people who have had a significant impact on the organization’s mission and goals.

Wallace puts together packets of information about breast cancer to give to women recently diagnosed. She has helped organize the local Relay for Life fund-raiser and has served as an advocate for cancer research and education.

“So many people now can beat cancer or live with cancer for years,” Wallace said. “We’ve come a long ways in terms of education and passing legislation. But we have a long way to go.”

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Kansas with about 12,000 residents diagnosed each year.

State officials intend to put a plan in place to better deal with cancer.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and state health officials will unveil the Kansas Comprehensive Cancer Control and Prevention Plan during a news conference at 10 a.m. today in the Governor’s Office.

Carol Wallace, Lawrence, is a cancer survivor who recently received a prestigious national honor for her volunteer efforts in the fight against cancer. She's pictured Wednesday at her home with the St. George National Award from the American Cancer Society.

The plan was developed by the Kansas Cancer Partnership, which involves more than 65 agencies in the public and private sectors.

Wallace said she didn’t know the details of the plan, but she welcomed it.

“Anything that can be done to prevent cancer in the first place or help in the way of providing patient services after a person has been diagnosed can only help,” she said.

She learned she had breast cancer during a routine mammogram. It was caught at an early stage.

Kansas University Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute

“I’ve felt so blessed because I think a lot of people when they hear the words ‘you have cancer,’ they think it’s a death sentence,” she said. “But I felt luck afterwards, and I needed to raise money for research and raise money to provide education. I also wanted to let people know they could get through it. I felt the need to pay back.”

Wallace said she has scaled back some on volunteering. She said she didn’t have quite the energy she once had, but she’s looking for cancer survivors to be part of Lawrence’s 11th Annual Relay for Life. The event will be June 10 and June 11 at Free State High School.

“I’m trying to contact survivors out there because we want to honor them,” she said. “Relay for Life is about celebrating life.”