AACI Public Service Award
Honoring Public Servants
The AACI Public Service Award was created in 2003 to recognize public servants who are known supporters of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the cancer centers in their respective states.
Honorees will be selected by a majority vote of the AACI Board of Directors. One Republican and one Democrat will be presented with the award at the AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting on October 21, 2019, at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.
Please note that the 2019 nomination period is now closed.
2019 Recipient Spotlight
The Honorable Kathy Castor (D-FL)
Representative Castor has made a profound impact on cancer prevention in Florida by initiating and sustaining a long-term campaign to raise awareness of cancers related to the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the HPV vaccine. Since 2013, Rep. Castor has collaborated with stakeholders throughout Florida—including community health centers, public health colleges, nonprofit organizations, places of worship, and civic groups—to increase rates of HPV vaccination. As a result of Rep. Castor’s commitment, HPV vaccination rates in Florida have increased significantly. She is currently developing federal legislation aimed at increasing HPV vaccination nationwide. This represents a major step toward the elimination of cervical cancer, with other HPV-related cancers to follow.
The Honorable Fred Upton (R-MI)
Representative Upton is a strong supporter of biomedical research in general, and cancer research in particular. Alongside Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Rep. Upton co-authored the 21st Century Cures Act, which increased federal funding for the NIH and the NCI to accelerate the development of medical products, drugs, and devices to benefit patients. Reps. Upton and DeGette were both honored by AACI in 2015 for their role in developing the legislation, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2016. As a member of the House Childhood Cancer Caucus, Rep. Upton advocates in support of measures to raise awareness of pediatric cancers and reduce their negative long-term effects.
Learn More About the Representatives' Commitment to Supporting Cancer Centers in Their States
The call for nominations will be open to cancer center directors and government relations staff at the cancer centers. Eligible nominees will be considered for the award based on the following:
- Satisfactory completion of the AACI Public Service Award nomination form
- Description of how the nominee has supported biomedical research funding in general, and cancer research funding in particular
- Description of how the nominee has supported the cancer center
The award will be presented on October 21 at the 2019 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. Recipients are encouraged to accept the award in person.
In the event that there is no nomination or no nominee meets the award criteria, no award will be made for that cycle.
May 15, 2019
Announce call for nominations to AACI cancer center directors and government relations staff
July 1, 2019
Completed nomination forms due
August 2019
Board president, president-elect, and cancer center director(s) of each recipient's home state will notify selected honorees
October 1, 2019
Announce selected honorees
October 21, 2019
Award presented in person at the 2019 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC
Please note: all dates are subject to change.
The following honorees have received the AACI Public Service Award at the AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting:
2018Barbara Duffy Stewart (AACI Founding Executive Director)
2017
Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)
2016
Representative Tom Cole (R-OK)
Representative Marcia Fudge (D-OH)
2015
Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO)
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
Representative Fred Upton (R-MI)
Representative Kevin Yoder (R-KS)
2013
Representative Lois Capps (D-CA)
Representative Peter King (R-NY)
2012
Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
2011
Representative Steve Israel (D-NY)
Representative C.W. Bill Young (R-FL)
2010
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
2009
Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA)
2008
Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
2007
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
Representative Michael Castle (R-DE)
Representative Edward Markey (D-MA)
2006
Representative John Edward Porter (R-IL)
2005
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Representative Deborah Pryce (R-OH)
2003
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA)