More than 800 people attend event honoring Dr. Condoleezza Rice
The sixth Ambassador of Hope Gala for the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center was a record breaking event.
With former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Ph.D., the honoree at Tuesday’s event at Qwest Center Omaha, more than 800 people attended and a total of $1 million was raised for cancer research.
Following auction bidding, a final major contribution from The Hawks Foundation brought the proceeds raised to $1 million. Howard and Rhonda Hawks were the honorary chairs for this year’s event.
“I can’t thank the Hawks enough for their commitment to help us raise money for cancer research,” said Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. “Their leadership was just incredible. They brought in more sponsorships and first-time attendees than we’ve ever had before.”
Dr. Cowan said this year’s $1 million total represented the highest amount of direct community support the event has ever achieved. The gala is held every two years.
This marks the second million dollar fundraising event for the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center this year. This past summer, the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Ball was held near Kearney and topped the $1 million mark for the first time.
The Ambassador of Hope Award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions in the fight against cancer through research, patient care activities or by raising public awareness of cancer. The five previous recipients of the award were Robin Roberts, Tom Brokaw, Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Sam Donaldson and Chuck Durham.
Dr. Rice was 15 when her mother, Angelena, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1970. She died in 1985 at the age of 61.
“Condoleezza has been a strong advocate for breast cancer research and screenings and has done much to raise the public’s awareness of cancer,” Dr. Cowan said. “She gave a very moving speech at the gala. There was no doubt that she connected with the audience.”
Dr. Rice served as U.S. Secretary of State from 2005 to 2009. A native of Birmingham, Ala., she currently serves as a professor and senior fellow at Stanford University.
Mike and Lin Simmonds of Omaha received the Margre and Chuck Durham Spirit of Nebraska Award at the gala. The Simmonds were recognized for launching a program in 2004 through their Simmonds Restaurant Management firm and its affiliated Burger King restaurants. The program – called Help Beat Cancer for Kids – has raised more than $1 million for cancer research at UNMC.
Event co-chairs were Lisa Mellen and Angie Miller.
The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center — a distinction held by only 66 centers in the country. The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is the only NCI-designated center in the state of Nebraska. The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is also one of the 13 founding members of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of the world’s leading cancer centers. This recognition means the most current and innovative treatment options are available to Cancer Center patients through the integration of cutting-edge research into state-of-the-art care. Cancer Center physicians and scientists work together to quickly translate discoveries made in the laboratory into innovative treatments for the patient.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.