Brinker, Folkman, JDRF, Rogers and Thomas Recognized for Dedication and Accomplishments
ALEXANDRIA, VA—February 22, 2005 —Five distinguished advocates for medical and health research will be honored at Research!America's ninth annual Advocacy Awards Dinner on March 15 at the Willard InterContinental, Washington, DC. PARADE magazine is the host benefactor of the event and Sam Donaldson of ABC News will serve as master of ceremonies.
The Honorable Nancy G. Brinker, founder of The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, will be awarded for her Exceptional Contributions as a Volunteer Advocate for Medical or Other Health-Related Research. Brinker's steadfast and successful advocacy for women's health issues and patient rights includes leading the Komen Foundation to raise nearly $600 million for research, education, screening and treatment programs. She also founded the world-renowned Komen Race for the Cure.
Angiogenesis research pioneer and advocate Judah Folkman, MD, will be recognized with the inaugural Raymond and Beverly Sackler Award for Sustained National Leadership. A surgeon-in-chief, emeritus, and director of the vascular biology program at Boston Children's Hospital, Folkman also serves as a professor of pediatric surgery and cell biology at Harvard Medical School. His research led to the development of the field of angiogenesis, three approved anti-angiogenesis drugs and additional discoveries and treatments. Folkman's advocacy efforts for research have included national and international presentations to his peers as well as non-scientists, open weekly lab meetings and retreats to encourage support for research at every level.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will be honored with the Organization that has Distinguished itself by its Advocacy Award for its national advocacy leadership including efforts to advance stem cell research. The JDRF has provided more than $800 million in direct funding to diabetes research as well as $20 million in funds for stem cell research in the United States and internationally. JDRF's International Chairman Mary Tyler Moore and President and CEO Peter Van Etten will jointly accept the award.
Former chairman of the House Subcommittee on Health and the Environment The Honorable Paul G. Rogers will receive the Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy. Known as "Mr. Health" during the 24 years he served in Congress, Rogers' vision and leadership were the driving force behind Research!America's advocacy campaign to double the National Institutes of Health budget (FY99-FY03). He is a partner at Hogan & Hartson LLP, chair of Research!America's Board of Directors, serves on a number of national health-related boards and widely lectures on health issues and health policy.
This year's Isadore Rosenfeld Award for Impact on Public Opinion will go to Marlo Thomas for her advocacy as national outreach director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Thomas, who is also an actor, producer and author, has launched several public awareness campaigns and has testified before Congress to advocate funding and support for cancer research and treatments. Her work includes hosting "Time to Live," a television special that documents the lifesaving work of St. Jude and its impact, and helps raise millions of dollars for cancer research.
"The winners of this year's awards are advocacy standouts. Their hard work and dedication represent the apex of advocacy for research," said Mary Woolley, Research!America president. "Because of the actions of these leaders, as well as the many others who follow their examples, the promise of better health through advances in research will be achieved sooner, rather than later, to the benefit of every American."
Honorary Chairs of the dinner include William G. Anlyan, MD; Hon. and Mrs. William McC. Blair, Jr.; Barry R. Bloom, PhD; Roger Bulger, MD; Joseph Califano, Jr.; Hon. Frank C. Carlucci; Vice Adm. Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS; David R. Challoner, MD; Carolyn Clancy, MD; Hon. John Cornyn; Nils Daulaire, MD, MPH; Michael E. DeBakey, MD; Peter Dolan; Sam Donaldson; Robert Essner; Anthony S. Fauci, MD; Harvey Fineberg, PhD, MD; James W. Fordyce; James Foster; Julie L. Gerberding, MD, MPH; Hon. Newt Gingrich; Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison; Robert A. Ingram; Karen Katen; Paul W. Kincade, PhD; Stephanie Lederman; LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr., MD; Alan I. Leshner, PhD; Donald A.B. Lindberg, MD; Margaret E. Mahoney; Afaf I. Meleis, PhD, DrPS (Hon), FAAN; Hon. Dan Mica; Hon. Bob Michel; Mary Tyler Moore; John P. Moses; Steven R. Patierno, PhD; William A. Peck, MD; Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi; Hon. Robert Ray; Gov. and Mrs. Mitt Romney; William L. Roper, MD, MPH; David Satcher, MD, PhD; John R. Seffrin, PhD; Martin Soeters; Allen M. Spiegel, MD; C. Charles Stokes, Jr.; Hon. Louis W. Sullivan, MD; Sidney Taurel; Hon. Billy Tauzin; Samuel O. Thier, MD; Andrew von Eshenbach, MD; M. Cass Wheeler; John Whitehead; Peter Whitehead; Susan Whitehead; and Elias A. Zerhouni, MD.
Research!America is a not-for-profit, membership-supported public education and advocacy alliance founded in 1989. Its nearly 500 member institutions, organizations and corporations represent the voices of more than 100 million Americans who want medical and health research-including research to prevent disease, disability and injury and to promote health-to be a much higher national priority. Research!America's public opinion surveys and advocacy-based programs and publications are designed to reach the public and decision makers with messages that support a strong and vibrant research enterprise.
# # #