Gala Honors Heroes, Raises Funds for GW Cancer Institute

Five individuals were singled out for their extraordinary work in cancer prevention and treatment— Dr. Ellen Sigal, Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach, Dr. Al Goldson (posthumously), Zora Brown and Lance Armstrong. Above, from left, are Sigal, von Eschenbach, Erin Goldson, Provost and VPHA Dr. John F. Williams, Amy and Ava Goldson, Brown and GW Cancer Institute Executive Director Dr. Steven Patierno. Not pictured is GW alumnus Steve Friedman, who accepted the award on behalf of Armstrong.

The evening’s program featured a keynote address by U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, MD, who emphasized the importance of prevention in the scheme of wellness and in understanding health disparities as keys to finding cures for diseases like cancer. Dr. Carmona substituted for Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson who addressed the crowd of 400 via video to kick off the evening. Thompson served as Honorary Gala chair.

Serving as emcee was WUSA Channel 9 News anchorwoman and reporter Andrea Roane, who spearheads the Buddy Check 9 breast cancer awareness and early detection campaign and who has been instrumental in helping to secure continued funding for the GW Mammovan.

Roane kept the program moving from the video about the Cancer Institute to the presentation of awards.

GW Provost and Vice President for Health Affairs Dr. John F. Williams articulated the vision behind the creation of The GW Cancer Institute.

“More than a year ago, when we looked at what the GW Medical Center could do for our community, we were faced with some startling and rather staggering statistics. First, that Washington, DC, has the highest cancer mortality rate in the nation and second, that minorities with certain cancers—breast, prostate, colon and lung—are dying at higher rates. We decided to make it our mission to find out why and to do something about this growing problem. Our approach was to create a uniquely focused Cancer Institute to concentrate on cancer disparities in our own community.” After dinner, GW Cancer Institute Executive Director Steven Patierno, PhD, began the program by describing how the Gala would serve as a launching event for a second year of Cancer Institute activities.

“This Gala is a milestone for our GW Cancer Institute. Although the Cancer Institute itself is relatively new, GW is not new to cancer. We have a long history of strong cancer research, education and outstanding clinical care. Now the Cancer Institute will serve to coordinate, integrate and expand these programs. We expect to translate our efforts into advances in cancer prevention and control, diagnosis, treatment and improved access to quality healthcare.”

Honored posthumously was Howard University oncologist Dr. Alfred Goldson, who died unexpectedly of heart problems and was an ally in the Cancer Institute’s mission to explore cancer disparities. National Cancer Institute Director Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach, Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, Dr. Ellen Sigal and Zora Brown were also honored (see box and photos on page 7). Steve Friedman, a GW alumnus, cancer survivor and fellow rider with Armstrong during the Tour of Hope, accepted the award on behalf of Armstrong who was training in Italy in hopes of winning his 6th Tour de France.

Dancing and results of a Silent Auction capped off the evening. Preparations for next year’s Gala are already underway.