The Friends of the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Eppley Cancer Center will honor Omaha Philanthropist Chuck Durham at its Ambassador of Hope Gala at the Qwest Center Omaha Friday, Nov. 5.
The Ambassador of Hope Award, which will be presented to Durham, is given to those who’ve made significant contributions in the fight against cancer through research or patient care activities, or by raising the public’s awareness of cancer. The event is hosted by the Friends of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, a community-based group committed to raising funds for cancer research.
The Margre and Chuck Durham Spirit of Nebraska Award also will be presented to the Omaha family of the late Liz Karnes, an Omaha community leader who died last year following a 12-year battle with cancer. David Karnes and daughters, and Liz Karnes’ parents, Bob and Mary Leuder, will receive the award.
The award, named in honor of major donors to UNMC, Omahan Chuck Durham and his late wife, Margre Durham, is presented to those whose contributions to the Eppley Cancer Center demonstrate the spirit of giving back to the
community. The Karnes and Lueder families established Liz’s Legacy, a fund to advance cancer research and care at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.
A business and civic leader in Omaha for several decades, Chuck Durham and his late wife, Margre, have made a major impact on UNMC research, education and patient care.
Durham has given UNMC the single largest contribution ever and helped to support further fund-raising efforts for the 10-level, $77 million Durham Research Center that opened in 2003. The 289,000-square-foot Durham Research Center houses 116 research laboratories, a 319-seat auditorium, three classrooms and 12 conference/seminar rooms. Five of the 12 primary researchers in the center are involved in cancer research. His donations also included a 540,000-square-foot employee parking structure which opened in 2003.
In 1998, the Durhams established a permanent endowment fund through the University of Nebraska Foundation. The Charles W. and Margre H. Durham Excellence in Medicine Fund is used to support innovative education and research programs in the UNMC College of Medicine in three key areas — arthritis, prostate and breast cancer, and minimally invasive surgery. In recognition of the gift, the Outpatient Care Center was renamed the Durham Outpatient Center in 1999.
The Durhams’ support also made it possible for UNMC to be the eighth medical center in the country to acquire the computer-assisted surgical robotic da Vinci Surgical System.
Chuck Durham serves as the chief executive officer of Durham Resources. He previously served as chairman and chief executive officer of HDR, Inc., an international engineering and architectural firm with work in all 50 states and 20 countries.
“Chuck Durham has directly helped UNMC advance towards its goal of becoming a leader in research,” said Kenneth H. Cowan, M.D., Ph.D, director, UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. “The generosity of Chuck Durham has helped the cancer center make great strides in the fight against these devastating diseases.”
On Thursday, Nov. 4, a day before the event, David Khayat, M.D., Ph.D., an organizer of one the first worldwide efforts to fight cancer and president of the National Institute of Cancer in France, will be the guest speaker at the 2004 Carol Bell Memorial Lecture in the UNMC Eppley Science Hall Amphitheater. Dr. Khayat, also a professor of medicine and head of medical oncology, Hopital Pitie-Salpetriere, Paris, will present “Preoperative chemotherapy: a simple prognostic factor or a useful predictive factor?” at noon.
Dr. Khayat has made a name for himself in cancer research by organizing the Charter of Paris Against Cancer, which was signed Feb. 4, 2000, at Elysee Palace in Paris under the auspices of M. Jacques Chirac, president of the French Republic, Dr. Cowan said.
The World Summit Against Cancer, which brought about the Charter of Paris Against Cancer, was the first global fight against cancer. The Charter initially gathered 100 signatures, with the goal of ultimately gathering 1 million signatures. Signers are leaders of government, patient advocacy, cancer research organizations, corporations and communities throughout the world that have joined the commitment in the global eradication of cancer.
Organizers will solicit the signatures of other leaders while in Omaha.
James Armitage, M.D., a UNMC oncologist who is recognized around the world for his expertise in lymphoma, was one of the original signers. The signed charter contains 10 articles for those involved to follow in their fight against cancer, including patient care and rights, as well as worldwide research cooperation.
Dr. Khayat also is an adjunct professor of medicine in the Department of Breast Disease at the M.D. Anderson ancer Center at the University of Texas at Houston. He received his bachelor’s degree from Nice Academy, his doctor of medicine degree from Paris VI University, his master’s degree in experimental oncology and tumor immunology and his doctoral degree in human biology in Villejuif, France.
The Friends of the UNMC Cancer Center are coordinating the award dinner for Durham and Dr. Khayat. Honorary chairpersons for the event are Walter and Sue Scott. The general co-chairs are Jane Rips, Teri Teutsch and Susie Buffett.
Tickets for the dinner are available with several different cost options for individuals, couples, corporations and groups, starting at $150. Proceeds raised from the dinner will go toward cancer research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. For ticket information or to become a Friend of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, call 559-4238.