Jennifer Pietenpol, Ph.D., and Scott Hiebert, Ph.D., talk with Lee E. Limbird, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for Research, at a reception Tuesday honoring Larry Marnett, Ph.D., for his contributions as associate director for basic science programs since the establishment of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. (photo by Anne Rayner Pollo)
Nominations are being sought for the Jerry Thompson Spirit of Survivorship Award, established in 2000 to honor the late Tennessean columnist, who for more than 12 years shared with his readers very intimate details about his and his family’s experience with colon cancer.
Through it all, Thompson showed by example what it means to be a true survivor. He refused to yield to the disease his spirit of optimism and determination, his joy of life and his love for others around him. Thompson went beyond his personal experience with cancer to become a beacon of hope to others facing the disease and a persistent advocate for education, prevention and research for new therapies.
The award, created by the Middle Tennessee Cancer Survivors Day Planning Committee with the sponsorship of The Tennessean, seeks to honor individuals who carry on Thompson’s example of taking an experience with cancer and using it to make a contribution to cancer survivors (including families) in the Middle Tennessee community.
The 2002 Spirit of Survivorship Award will be presented Sunday, June 2 during Middle Tennessee Cancer Survivors Day festivities at Bicentennial Mall.
Nominees may be adults or children who have had a close personal experience with cancer and who have made a significant community contribution to residents of Middle Tennessee in one or more of these areas: public awareness, early detection and screening, prevention, survivors and family support and/or advocacy. This may include having been diagnosed with cancer themselves or having a family member who has faced the disease. Nominees may be receiving treatment currently or have completed therapy. Nominees should be alive at the time of nomination and selection.
Honorees will have made a significant community contribution to residents of Middle Tennessee in one or more of the following areas: public awareness of cancer and related issues; early detection and screening; prevention; survivor and family support; and/or advocacy.
For a nomination form or information, please call 329-1124 or write to:
Spirit of Survivorship Award
C/o Gilda’s Club Nashville
P.O. Box 120695
Nashville, TN 37212
Middle Tennessee Cancer Survivors Day is a community-wide celebration of cancer survivors and their families, spearheaded by the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and held each year in conjunction with National Cancer Survivors Day on the first Sunday of June. The event is co-sponsored by a coalition of cancer centers, hospitals, support and advocacy organizations and other cancer-related groups.