 |
Tom Brokaw |
Legendary newsman Tom Brokaw will receive the Ambassador of Hope Award, which is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions in the fight against cancer.
This year marks the first time the Gala is a statewide event with satellite locations in Lexington, Sidney and Norfolk. Brokaw’s remarks will be broadcast live to these locations, which also are holding fundraising events. All proceeds benefit research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.
With only 10 days to go before the event, more than 850 tickets have already been sold to the Omaha Gala, said Jane Rips, reservations chairman for the Friends of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center board of directors which sponsors the bi-annual event.
“In terms of attendance, we are well ahead of our target at this point and are very pleased with ticket sales,” said Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. “We’re hoping for a sellout crowd, so we would like to see ticket sales continue at this brisk pace.”
Jean Bell, general chair of the 2006 Gala, said, “We are happy that so many people will be coming to hear Tom Brokaw as well as to support the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. However, we have more room for people to enjoy a wonderful evening and encourage anyone interested in attending to make a reservation.”
Ticket sales also have been brisk in the satellite locations and organizers are hopeful of capacity crowds at each site, Rips said.
The Gala in Omaha and the events in the satellite locations feature a reception at 6 p.m. followed by an auction, dinner and program at 7 p.m. Honorary chairs of the 2006 Gala are Mogens and Cindy Bay. Mogens Bay is chairman and CEO of Valmont Industries, Inc.
To make a reservation for the Omaha event or for additional information, please call (402) 934-4668 or visit www.hope-06.org. Corporate and individual sponsorships ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 are available.
The following is a listing of the locations, chairs and contact phone numbers for the three events in Greater Nebraska:
Seating is limited in the satellite locations. Please call the phone number listed for each location to make a reservation.
A world-renowned journalist, Brokaw is best known as the anchor of the “NBC Nightly News” from 1983 to 2004. During his tenure, the program was consistently the highest-rated evening news show. Brokaw began his broadcast journalism career in Omaha working at KMTV in the early 1960s.
Brokaw last month became only the second journalist to be honored with a prestigious West Point award. Past recipients of the Sylvanus Thayer Award include Gen. Douglas MacArthur, former President Ronald Reagan and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The award, named for West Point’s fifth superintendent, is given to a U.S. citizen who exemplifies the ideals of the academy’s motto, “Duty, Honor, Country.” It has only been given to one other journalist — former CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite.
Brokaw was honored partly for his contribution to the public’s understanding of World War II through his books The Greatest Generation and The Greatest Generation Speaks and his work reporting from war zones.
In addition to the Ambassador of Hope Award, the family of Harlan Noddle will receive the Margre and Chuck Durham Spirit of Nebraska Award. The Spirit of Nebraska Award is presented to those whose contributions to the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center demonstrate the spirit of giving to the community. Harlan Noddle, a prominent Omaha businessman and longtime supporter of UNMC and The Nebraska Medical Center, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in December 2005. He was 69.
 |
Harlan Noddle |
Noddle served as a member The Nebraska Medical Center board of directors, serving as chairman from 2000 to 2002. He also chaired the University of Nebraska Foundation board of directors.