One of the countrys leading prostate cancer experts, Donald S. Coffey, Ph.D., will come to the University of Nebraska Medical Center on Sept. 16 to deliver the first lecture in honor of a prominent Omaha woman who died of cancer last year.
The noon lecture, to be held in the Wittson Hall Amphitheater on the UNMC campus, was established to recognize Carol Bell who died in August 1997. Bell was the wife of Bob Bell, president of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
Following his wifes death, he initiated the lecture series with a gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation. Since then, friends of the Bell family have contributed more than $40,000 to the fund and additional donations are still being accepted.
Carol had an absolute will to live, Bell said. She openly shared her experiences with others. This program allows us to continue her efforts of educating others about cancer and stressing the importance of early detection.
The lecture series will bring a nationally recognized lecturer to the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center every two years. Each lecture will focus on a different area of cancer and cancer research.
Dr. Coffey is a professor of urology, oncology, pharmacology and molecular sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and past president of the American Association for Cancer Research. The AACR is a scientific society of more than 13,000 laboratory and clinical cancer researchers. Founded in 1907, it works to foster research, public education and training. Dr. Coffey also will speak at a dinner for the Carol Bell Lectureship Program and at the UNMC Prostate Cancer Symposium, both on Sept. 16.
We are honored that someone of Dr. Coffeys stature could deliver the first lecture in the Carol Bell
lecture series, said Margaret Tempero, M.D., deputy director and interim director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. Were really excited about bringing the latest research from around the country to UNMC.
In addition to Dr. Coffeys lecture, several other cancer awareness events will be held in Omaha over the next few months. The activities include:
Sept. 12 — Cancer Awareness Expo, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Storz Pavillion at NHS Clarkson Hospital
Sept. 26 — THE MARCH, 9:30 a.m. at North Centennial Mall in Lincoln
Oct. 4 — Race for the Cure, 8 a.m. at Cancer Survivors Park in Omaha
Nov. 6 — Ambassador of Hope Dinner honoring Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, U.S. Army Ret., at the Strategic Air Command Museum
Gov. Ben Nelson has proclaimed Sept. 16 as Nebraska-Carol Bell Cancer Awareness Day and the mayors of several surrounding communities have agreed to do the same.
The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is one of more than 50 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers. Of the $27.2 million in research grants and contracts awarded to UNMC in 1996-1997, Eppley researchers generated more than $8 million.
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. In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.
The University of Nebraska Foundation is a non-profit corporation supplementing support for students, faculty, facilities and programs at the University of Nebraskas four campuses through gifts from alumni, friends, corporations and other foundations.