Karen Hilburn, founder of the Karen Hilburn Breast & Cervical Cancer Fund, was recently presented with the 2015 Flame Award at Mason General Hospital Foundation’s Annual Fantasy Forest Gala and Live Auction in November. Each year, MGH Foundation awards an outstanding individual from the community who demonstrates strong support of the Foundation and of MGH&FC.
An active member of the Foundation for the last 17 years, including her role as chairperson of Fantasy Forest, Karen has held a seat on the Foundation’s Membership Committee, Treasurers Committee, and Community Relations Committee. Her most important work, however, was founding the Karen Hilburn Breast & Cancer Fund in 2003, a chapter of MGH Foundation that helps uninsured or underinsured women in our community with the costs of their diagnoses and treatment for breast cancer. Her Fund soon expanded to include cervical cancer treatment, and to-date the Karen Hilburn Breast & Cervical Cancer Fund has helped an average of 15 women per year. She has also been a member of Shel-Toa Orthopedic Guild, and a local Chapter PEO.
“I am honored to receive this award, and thankful for the many donations and successful fundraising events that have helped more than 180 women over the past 12 years,” said Karen Hilburn. “It is a privilege to do this kind of work for the Hospital and community we love.”
Karen’s husband, Scott Hilburn, is a Hospital Board of Commissioner, a retired local businessman and a former mayor of Shelton. They have five sons and eight grandchildren, whom Karen lovingly refers to as “the light of my life”. Her memberships and volunteer work also include being a Cub Scout leader for her sons, and a Deacon and Elder at her church.