Bryan Murray is characteristically humble when asked about the latest honour to come his way.

On Thursday, the 72-year-old Murray will receive the United Way's most prestigious honour as Community Builder of the Year at its annual gala.

"(The honour) has to do with the team, the organization, the Sens Foundation. What the Senators mean to the city," said Murray.

"I think I'm a representative of the team more than anything."

But the United Way isn't recognizing Murray for his contributions to the hockey club, or its many charitable arms extending their reach into the community.

That recognition was already bestowed upon the Senators when the franchise was honoured with the same award back in 2011.

Now, the United Way is singling out the normally-private Murray for his choice to go public in his battle with colon cancer.

"Never one to take the credit, Mr. Murray stayed away from the spotlight preferring to focus on the team and winning hockey games. That was until last July when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Instead of keeping the diagnosis private, Mr. Murray chose to share his story to raise awareness and encourage others to get checked," the charity wrote.

"The public battle Mr. Murray is waging against his disease has made him an example of unselfishness, perseverance and dedication."

Murray acknowledged it was a struggle to bring his personal battle into such a public sphere.

"Certainly it was hard on my wife and (daughters) to hear on a regular basis that I have terminal cancer," said Murray.

"But I thought it was really important -- and they did too after I talked to them about it -- that we get the idea out there that you have to look after yourself.

"It was hard to do, but I've felt I've had a pretty good run with my life, and I had a pretty good opportunity as being the manager of a team like the Ottawa Senators. As I said at the GM meetings to all the GMs: 'We're in a position to be able to present to our communities, wherever we are, thoughts that would help the community.'

"One of the things I thought I could do in particular would be to encourage people to have a colonoscopy. To save lives if you could," said Murray.

"It's not me normally (to go public), but I thought this was really a important message."

-Files from Bruce Garrioch

Twitter: @OttSunHelmer