Dianna Borsi O'Brien, freelance writer

A Last Request — Molly and Ryan Rippel set out to honor their mother’s death from cancer, which they say was caused in part from her lack of health insurance. Research shows twice as many women without coverage are diagnosed with Stage III or IV breast cancer than women with private health-care coverage. Their mother, Barbara Rippel, was a well-known Realtor and was diagnosed with Stage IV when she finally went for treatment, which her children say she delayed due to the lack of health-care insurance.

A Joint Mission: Columbia women unite to fight arthritis — Eight women make major strides in the fight against arthritis, conducting research, conducting public outreach, furthering public policy, urging exercise. Columbia is a powerhouse in progress against the No. 1 cause of disability.