Get well, President Bell

Priscilla Bell the president is one matter.

Priscilla Bell the person is quite another.

It's probably no secret that this newspaper has been critical of the Bell administration at North Idaho College on several occasions. That's not personal, it's business; it's what community newspapers do - scrutinize the decisions and actions of high profile public servants.

What is personal is the battle Bell is waging against breast cancer.

Bell shocked NIC Trustee Christie Wood when the president informed her boss of the illness and impending surgery. What was shocking was the way the conversation unfolded.

Bell opened by asking Wood when she'd had her most recent mammogram, then urged Wood to do so soon. Then came the news of Bell's breast cancer. Priscilla was thinking first of the chair of the board of trustees; her personal health problems were secondary.

Bell also relinquished her right to privacy by openly discussing her illness with The Press and, as she did with Wood, encouraging women to keep up with annual mammograms. Again, her thoughts were focused first on the health of others.

Bell described to the newspaper how surprised and amazed she was to discover how many other women have or have had breast cancer. She said she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.

So today, we're thinking of you and wishing you a speedy and thorough recovery, Priscilla.

And for every woman reading this editorial, please do what the president has asked. Get your annual mammogram scheduled pronto.