News

Public Service, Science, Philanthropy Celebrated at Annual Meeting

align-left
Barbara Duffy Stewart, MPH, received the 2018 AACI Public Service award on September 30, during the AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting, in Chicago. She will retire later this month after 19 years as AACI’s first executive director. Other awardees were Charles M. Perou, PhD, (2018 AACI Distinguished Scientist) and Richard and Susan Rogel (2018 AACI Champion for Cures Award). 

In presenting the public service award, AACI President Stanton Gerson, MD, noted that Ms. Stewart’s cancer center advocacy stretches back to 1985, when she was part of a small group that launched the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. He added that Ms. Stewart has been instrumental in moving the cancer center agenda forward in Washington, DC, and her advocacy has helped Congress see the benefit of investing in biomedical research in general, and cancer research in particular. 

On the meeting’s second day, Dr. Perou accepted AACI’s award and delivered a talk titled "Quantitative Medicine for Breast Cancer Patients." Dr. Perou is The May Goldman Shaw Distinguished Professor of Molecular Oncology, faculty director of UNC Lineberger’s Bioinformatics Group, co-director of its Breast Cancer Research Program, and a professor in its Genetics and Pathology & Laboratory Medicine departments. AACI’s award recognizes Dr. Perou’s research accomplishments in the field of precision medicine and his groundbreaking research in the characterization of the diversity of human tumors. 

Following Dr. Perou’s presentation, an award luncheon featured a video about the Rogels’ landmark support of cancer research at the University of Michigan. Eric Fearon, MD, PhD, director of the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, introduced the couple, outlining their history of philanthropy and the impact that their $150 million gift will have on the cancer center. 

"Their generosity and vision—and the partnerships they are inspiring—will enable us to make larger and potentially higher risk and higher payoff investments in research and facilitate collaborations across disciplines," Dr. Fearon said. "We are launching major efforts in cancer immunology and increasing our use of Big Data to improve care and drive informed cancer policy for local, national, and global populations." 

In accepting AACI’s award, Richard Rogel said that he and his wife, Susan, "are inspired by AACI’s focus on creating a platform that brings cancer centers and organizations together. We appreciate your efforts to facilitate the dissemination of best practices and to educate policy makers about the important role cancer centers play in advancing cancer discovery." 

Mr. Rogel noted that the couple is so optimistic about the potential for progress in cancer research that they put a clause in their gift agreement that will guide the use of their funds after cancer is cured.