Dita Holifield approached ovarian cancer the way she approaches all of life: head on, and with a sense of humor.

This weekend she is being honored as the recipient of the Patti Schuler Award. The award recognizes an "outstanding cancer survivor whose life is led with courage," said Milton Hirata, communications director of the American Cancer Society Hawaii Pacific Inc. "and whose dedication, service and commitment to the community is an inspiration for everyone."

The effervescent, upbeat entertainer, who is also a survivor of breast cancer, will be presented with the award at the 10th annual Boots on the Beach cowboy gala.

Hirata said the committee selected Holifield because she is a fighter.

"Even at her most down moments, she manages to fight for herself, for her health and for the well-being of others around her," Hirata said. "She refuses to be a victim. She always makes a conscious decision to focus on the bright side of life instead of the darkness."

Holifield was diagnosed in 1999 at the age of 35 — but the path to her diagnosis was not a direct one. At first, her doctor thought it was appendicitis and sent her to the ER in an ambulance. It took five months, numerous doctor visits and a battery of medical tests before the cancer was identified.

Holifield remembers her horrific summer of 1999 with humor: "I had no idea how sick I was, and I gigged the whole summer. I would sing and then go out in the parking lot and throw up and go back in and sing again," she said with a characteristic guffaw.

Later in 1999, Holifield's cancer was treated aggressively with surgery and she is now cancer-free.

"I refused to acknowledge it in my body and refused to let it take me over. My mother came from Oklahoma for six weeks and we hunkered down and just focused on getting through it."

Dita Holifield and Red-Handed, her seven-piece band, have opened for national acts such as Willie Nelson, LeAnn Rimes, Brooks and Dunn, Trisha Yearwood and the Judds. She has entertained all over the Islands, from military clubs and BayFest to the Makawao Rodeo and 10 years of Hawaii State Fairs. Holifield is often referred to as the "Queen of Country" in the Islands.

A native of Lubbock, Texas, Holifield grew up with meat and potatoes. It has been a challenge, but since her cancer she has added plenty of fruits and vegetables to her diet. Although she eschews more formal forms of exercise, she does walk her three Pomeranians, Biny, Bubbles and Brillo. She gets mammograms twice a year and a complete check-up once a year.

Holifield's message: Cancer does not have to ruin your life forever.