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MaryEllen Locher Biography

MaryEllen Locher is an awarding winning co-anchor of the 5, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts at NewsChannel9 in Chattanooga Tennessee, making her a member of one of the longest running news teams in the country.

As a two time cancer survivor, MaryEllen has used her personal experiences to inspire and help others. Her efforts were recently recognized by both the Hamilton County Commission and the Chattanooga City Council.

While undergoing treatment for breast cancer, MaryEllen was inspired to found the not for profit Hats from the Heart program, giving free hats to cancer patients onsite at area cancer treatment centers. In less than a year, Hats from the Heart boasts at least 15 distribution sites are all area hospitals and doctor's offices, with two chapters in the planning stages in Northeast Georgia and Bradley County Tennessee.

In 2002, MaryEllen, with the help of friends and family, founded the Children of Breast Cancer Scholarship Fund®. This non-profit organization is a national fund whose unique goal is to provide college scholarships to children who have lost a mother (parent) to breast cancer. It is the first scholarship EVER for children who have a lost a parent to any kind of cancer.

Professionally, MaryEllen Locher has been a member of the NewsChannel9 team since 1985 when she became Chattanooga's first full time health reporter. Her professional accomplishments are many. They include Best Newscast, Best News Team, and Best News Series Reporter by the Associated Press of Tennessee. But while this Penn State graduate's accomplishments have contributed greatly to television news in Chattanooga, it perhaps this local wife and mother's civic work that has had the greatest impact on the Tennessee Valley area.
Among MaryEllen's many honors:

The Tennessee Governors Award after a series of reports on the handicap access in Chattanooga for her Outstanding Contributions to the Handicapped Community;

Top honor from the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Centers;

The Toastmaster Communication Award;

The President's Award from the Tennessee Association for Home Healthcare;

Chattanooga Jaycees Distinguished Service Awards finalist;

Appointed by the Hamilton County Executive to the Parents are First Teachers Advisory Committee;

One of Southeast Tennessee's Women of Distinction;

Founding board member of the Make A Wish Foundation of Southeast Tennessee, only recently resigning from that board to take on her latest ventures.

MaryEllen is also a founding board member of the newly formed Helene DiStefano Fund, inspiring the formation of the charity to help local moms with breast cancer and their families who are in financial crisis.

MaryEllen and her husband reside in Chattanooga with their 13 year old son. They are active members of Hixson United Methodist Church.

Our 1st
Recipient

Ginny Straub

	Applicant's Words:
	"I have tried to adjust to being the mom of my household. Every morning I get my 6-year-old sister and 10- year- old brother ready for school to catch the bus. I have adjusted to putting others' needs before my own. This is one of the many valuable characteristics which my mother taught me."

	Application Deadline for 2008 Scholarships is February 15th, 2008! Click Here for Details!