Frieda Ann McCoy, a champion in the fight against breast cancer, died March 2, 1995, of the disease's ravages.
Even though she was carrying on her private struggle through chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and bone marrow transplantation, she found the strength and time to fight hard in the public war against the breast cancer. She was chairman of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Utah, working to improve funding for breast cancer research and awareness of the illness.She became convinced that women's health issues, particularly breast cancer, are woefully neglected by researchers and government funding agencies.
"While 56,000 men died in Vietnam in 12 years, 450,000 women died of breast cancer," she used to say.
"Congress ended the war and built a monument to those fallen Americans. But that same government has yet to wage war against breast cancer."
Twinkle Chisholm, spokeswoman for the coalition, remembered Ms. McCoy not only in her role as a leader against breast cancer but also as a businesswoman and a champion of other causes.
Ms. McCoy owned her own business, Creative Resource Management. Before she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991, she served on the board of directors of Ririe Woodbury Dance Company and the State Archives Committee. Until her death, she served on a governor's committee on state archives.
In the 1960s and '70s, Ms. McCoy fought for equal opportunities for women in business, working to end discrimination against women who sought home loans. She also worked for equal rights and pay for women while working at the University of Utah's Marriott Library.
"Because of Frieda's efforts, many women today enjoy more equal treatment and equitable opportunities in the world of business," Chisholm said.
Jerry McCoy, Frieda's husband, said Frieda had planned to put together a newspaper supplement about breast cancer - everything from detection to resources, family history and statistics.
It was intended to be distributed through newspapers also available at clinics and on Indian reservations. But the project was not finished.
Jerry McCoy wants to carry on his wife's work to save the lives of others, he said.
"I will pick up (the supplement project) and become the chief editor on it . . . and get all the sponsors."
The Breast Cancer Coalition of Utah is collecting money for the Frieda McCoy Education Fund. Donations can be sent to the fund at Box 526174, Salt Lake City, UT 84152-6174.
Donations to the fund will go toward the cost of preparing the supplement on breast cancer.