It's official – the votes are in and after numerous nomination letters and heartfelt pleas, Lisa Rendall has been named CTV Saskatoon's Citizen of the Year for 2010.
Rendall was born in Outlook, Saskatchewan, in 1965, and grew up in Loreburn. After graduating from a radio broadcasting course she completed after high school, Rendall moved to Regina and worked for seven years at CKIT FM. There, she met and married her husband, and together they moved to Saskatoon in the fall of 1990. Rendall spent two years on the air at CJWW before accepting a job in Toronto. But four years later, Rendall came back to the prairies and hosted the morning show on C95 in Saskatoon, called "Rob, Lisa, and Rambling Dave."
When Rendall was only 35 years old, she was diagnosed with widespread incurable breast cancer. Doctors found the disease after it had eaten away at a vertebra in her neck, causing it to collapse. Rendall completed six months of chemotherapy, and her cancer has remained in stable condition since early 2000. She credits the antibody Herceptin with her long-term health, and firmly believes that she is living proof that scientific research works.
The remarkable strength and courage that Rendall displayed after her diagnosis won her many fans. Rather than retreating into her treatment, she insisted that her radio listeners be informed of her illness and the treatments she underwent. She encouraged announcers at C95 to simply tell the truth about her situation, and shared her story with a positive attitude and a sense of humour. Rendall is credited with putting a face to breast cancer in Saskatchewan and making it possible for people to talk openly about their diagnoses.
After her announcement, C95 held their annual Radio Marathon in support of breast cancer research. The first marathon was held in October of 2000, which Rendall attended even though she had just undergone neck surgery. Over $100,000 was raised in the first year alone. The next year, Rendall held the 1st Annual Lisa Rendall Golf Classic for Breast Cancer Research, and together the two fundraising efforts have brought in over $2.5 million dollars for the cause in the last 11 years.
Rendall is still under treatment for her cancer, which has spread to several areas of her body. However, as several CTV viewers wrote in to tell us, she has not let that bring her down. We received multiple letters which spoke of Rendall's positive attitude, outgoing nature, and sense of humour. Though Rendall has met with huge challenges in her life, friends, family, and colleagues repeatedly spoke about her giving nature and her determination to help others going through similar situations.
Rendall has received past recognition for her fundraising efforts, including the 2006 YWCA Woman of Distinction Award. She has also started her own website, www.lisarendall.com to promote her fundraising efforts and share resources for people dealing with breast cancer.
CTV Saskatoon is proud to recognize Lisa Rendall for all of her hard work and determination. As Citizen of the Year, Rendall will continue to be a community leader, leading the fight against breast cancer, and helping support members of the community dealing with the disease.
