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Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, received a special vase in recognition of the 2006 Ambassador of Hope Gala being named Omaha’s best speaker/special event of the past year. |
In an Academy Award-style event, the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center was one of seven award winners honored at the inaugural Big Event Awards Celebration held Sept. 12 at the Joslyn Art Museum.
The Ambassador of Hope Gala was held Oct. 13, 2006, at Qwest Center Omaha and featured a speech by Brokaw, a legendary anchorman for NBC News. The event, which was televised to three Nebraska cities — Norfolk, Sidney and Lexington — raised more than $1.6 million for the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center and was attended by 1,200 people.
The Ambassador of Hope event was one of five finalists in the Best Speaker/Special Guest category.
“It’s really a quite an honor that the Ambassador of Hope event was selected as the winner,” said Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. “The competition was exceptional and included events featuring Bill Clinton and Bob Newhart among others.
“It shows how much respect Tom Brokaw commands. He’s truly a broadcast legend, and it was a major coup for us to get him for our event. I think anybody in attendance that night can attest to what a memorable evening it was. My thanks go out to all the volunteers in Omaha and across the state, who helped make this the first-ever statewide fundraising event.”
Dr. Cowan had special praise for Jeanne Bell, general chair of the Ambassador of Hope Gala; Mogens and Cindy Bay, honorary chairs of the event; and each of the three couples who chaired the statewide events — Herb and Kathy Albers in Norfolk, Dr. Joe and Dianne Jeffrey in Lexington, and John and Laurie Widdowson in Sidney.
“Obviously, these people played a key role in making this a first class event and in helping us attract a great crowd,” he said. “We are exceeding grateful for all their efforts. They truly made a huge difference.”
Dr. Cowan also acknowledged David Day & Associates, an Omaha marketing firm, for all its work in organizing the event and developing the materials used in promoting the gala.
In all, 33 events were nominated for awards at The Big Event. UNMC was the only organization that had two events nominated.
In addition to the Ambassador of Hope Gala, UNMC was nominated for its Share the Beat event held March 10 at the Joslyn Art Museum. This event featured performances or appearances by several celebrities including actor Robert Redford and country singer Tim McGraw. The event raised money and awareness for organ donation, a cause of great importance to Redford’s son, James, who underwent two life-saving liver transplants at The Nebraska Medical Center in 1993.
Proceeds from the event, which was attended by nearly 1,000 people, went to the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness (JRI). JRI has hosted other Share the Beat events, but this was the first one held in Omaha.
“I congratulate UNMC for winning one award and having two events nominated,” said Andrea Hoig, publisher of Metro Magazine and director of The Big Event Awards Celebration. “I think it demonstrates how the medical center always strives to make its special events extra special.”
The Big Event included a reception and dinner in the fountain courtyard area of Joslyn Art Museum as well as the awards ceremony held in Witherspoon Hall. More than 300 people attended this year’s event, including 200 for dinner.
Hoig said she hopes to make The Big Event an annual celebration. Several factors, including votes cast by the public, were used in selecting the winning events. Other winning events by category included:
Best Musical Entertainment: Joslyn Art Museum 75th Anniversary Gala
Best Event – 1st or 2nd Annual: Omaha Performing Arts, “Broadway Ball-Serengeti Soiree”
Best Event – Under 500 in Attendance: Lauritzen Gardens, “Antique and Garden Show Preview Party”
Best Event – Over 500 in Attendance: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, “Buckaroo Bash”
Best Event – Over 1,000 in Attendance: GWR Sunshine Foundation, “Two Before the New”
Best Theme: Omaha Children’s Museum, “An Evening at the Races.A Triple Crown Affair”
The “Two Before the New” event raised money for the GWR Sunshine Foundation, which has been a tremendous supporter of UNMC’s autism program.