Graphic designer honored with inaugural Kelly Bradham Gratitude Award

As an organization predominantly comprising breast cancer survivors, Prairie Dragon Paddlers wanted to recognize and thank the unsung heroes who unassumingly contribute in some way to the fight against breast cancer and support survivors.

PDP President Miriam Garrett (left) and Executive Director Kelly Bradham (right) present Debra L. Bolgla (center) with the first Kelly Bradham Gratitude Award in November 2023 for her many contributions to helping share the team’s story with the public and create awareness of PDP among more breast cancer survivors.

So this past year, PDP established the Kelly Bradham Gratitude Award, named for the organization’s founder, and honored local graphic design consultant Debra L. Bolgla as the first recipient during its annual meeting Nov. 16.

Through her selfless labor of love, Bolgla has spent scores of unbilled hours over the years—at all times of the day and night, in fact—sharing her graphic design skills and talents to help elevate PDP’s story and raise awareness about breast cancer through its communications, outreach and dragon boating activities. In addition to creating a suite of cohesive printed materials for the organization and its major community fundraiser before the pandemic, Sing For the Health of It, Bolgla recently designed bold and beautiful new paddles for the team, as well as a brand new, sleek boat, aptly named “Inspire.” Her work is helping PDP rise up, be noticed and inspire hope throughout the community. By helping tell its story, she pays tribute to the memory of her dear friend, Melissa Lynch.

Bolgla was nominated by PDP team member Marilyn Pollard, who said: “Unique to her design is that it incorporates the images of breast cancer cells. This is a way to start a needed conversation. Honoring the memory of a friend may be how her contribution began, but it now also contributes to the awareness of the survivor’s journey.”

The Kelly Bradham Gratitude Award is a way for those who fight the fight in PDP to say thank you to those standing with them, supporting them and helping their community thrive in survivorship. By recognizing good-hearted people doing what they can to help beat cancer, PDP also hopes to encourage others to look out for their health and, should cancer be diagnosed, inspire hope that they, too, can survive and thrive.

Bolgla received a certificate and a $500 cash award to spend however she wishes, with the organization’s deepest gratitude.