Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Commander in Chief of the U.S.
Army Central Command during Operation Desert Storm in 1990, has
been selected to receive the first Ambassador of Hope Award from
the University of Nebraska Medical Center Eppley Cancer Center.
Gen. Schwarzkopf will be honored at a Nov. 6 dinner at
Ak-Sar-Ben.
The Ambassador of Hope Award will be given annually by the
Friends of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center to individuals who have
made a significant contribution in the fight against cancer
through their research or patient care activities or by raising
the public’s awareness of cancer.
A prostate cancer survivor, Gen. Schwarzkopf has been actively
involved with several organizations dedicated to fighting cancer.
He is national spokesperson for prostate cancer awareness and is
a board member for Cap CURE, the Association for the Cure of
Cancer of the Prostate. He also served as chairman of the
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship’s March on
Washington.
"Gen. Schwarzkopf epitomizes what this award is all
about," said Margaret Tempero, M.D., deputy director and
interim director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. "When he
speaks, people listen. He has been a leader in trying to raise
public awareness about the importance of research and the need to
increase research funding. We couldn’t have made a more
deserving selection for this inaugural award."
Since his retirement from the military in 1991, Gen.
Schwarzkopf, 63, has remained busy. His autobiography, "It
Doesn’t Take a Hero," became a best seller. He also has
participated in six critically acclaimed television specials,
including the Peabody Award winning special, "D-Day."
He is currently working with NBC to produce programs about
what’s right with America.
In addition to his commitment to cancer, Gen. Schwarzkopf also
has been active in numerous conservation efforts, including
serving on the board of governors of the Nature Conservancy and
as national spokesperson for the Recovery of the Grizzly Bear. He
also is involved in a variety of programs directed toward helping
children with chronic illnesses and has headed a major fund
raising event aimed at finding a cure for paralysis.
Gen. Schwarzkopf earned his undergraduate degree in 1956 from
the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. and his
master’s degree from the University of Southern California
in 1964. During his more than 30 years in the military, he
received nearly every major award, including the Defense
Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service
Medal, two Oak Leaf Clusters, three Bronze Stars and two Purple
Hearts. He also is the only American to be made an honorary
Private First Class in the French Foreign Legion.
Among his numerous civilian awards, Gen. Schwarzkopf counts
the Father of the Year Award in 1991, the Vince Lombardi Award of
Excellence in 1995, and the Gilda Radner Award of Courage in
1996.
The award dinner for Schwarzkopf is being coordinated by the
Friends of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, a 15-member community
based group committed to raising funds for cancer research.
Honorary chairpersons for the award dinner are David and Peggy
Sokol and Dave and Liz Karnes. General chairpersons for the event
are Peggy Sokol and Gloria Dunbar.
Tickets for the dinner are available with several different
cost options for individuals, couples, corporations and groups.
Invitations will be sent throughout the community prior to the
event. Proceeds raised from the dinner will go toward cancer
research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. For more information
or to become a friend of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, people
should call (402) 559-4401.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the
state. Through its commitment to research, education and patient
care, UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading
centers for cancer research and treatment and solid organ
transplantation. UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for
training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than
any other institution.
The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute
designated cancer center — a distinction held by only 55 centers
in the country. Of the $27.2 million in research grants and
contracts awarded to UNMC in 1996-97, Eppley researchers
generated more than $16.5 million.