WILMINGTON, DE – June 4, 2010 – On Saturday, April 17, the American Cancer Society hosted “A Night at the Museum” at the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Wilmington to honor local hometown heroes who have helped the organization create a world with more birthdays and less cancer. The event, hosted by chairs Mr. David and Mrs. Mary Ellen Gibson and Dr. Robert and Mrs. Kathy Laskowski, honored individuals and organizations who have helped in the fight against cancer and raised more than $100,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society’s mission.
“It is important to recognize those who have made a difference in the fight against cancer,” said Alva Hutchison, state vice president for the American Cancer Society. “The individuals and organizations that were honored at the event have significantly impacted the American Cancer Society as a whole, as well as cancer patients and their families.”
Drs. Robert Frelick, Nicholas Petrelli, Ruben Tiexido, and Les Whitney (left to right) at the American Cancer Society's "A Night at the Museum" award event.
Among those honored at the event were Leslie Whitney, MD, Ruben Tiexido, MD, and Robert Frelick, MD, cancer treatment pioneers in Delaware’s hospitals. Whitney, a retired surgeon, twice served as President of the Delaware Division of the American Cancer Society. In addition to being a dedicated volunteer for close to 50 years, Whitney, along with Tiexido, was an investigator on one of the original studies that showed the importance of mammograms. Tiexido, also a retired surgeon, served on the American Cancer Society Division Board and the International Committee for several years. Tiexido is known for his dedication to patient care. Frelick is considered the father of medical oncology in Delaware. Frelick and his wife have been involved with the American Cancer Society since the 1940’s. Frelick created the first cancer registry in Delaware and went to Washington, D.C. to convince Congress that cancer registries are important.
United Electric was also honored for its dedication to the Society’s mission and signature event, Relay For Life. Since 1994, United Electric has raised more than $253,000 to support the organization. Rick Freebery and Diana Bienkowski accepted the award on behalf of United Electric.
Ms. Jane Haggard and Ms. Cathy Klocko were recognized for their work with the Ladies Charity Golf Committee. Haggard and Klocko gathered their fellow golfers to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
University of Delaware students were honored for their fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society. Students Josie Sussman, Jayne Whitman, Patrick Sullivan and Stefanie Kahn (left to right) stand with Alva Hutchison (center) of the Society.
Students from the University of Delaware were also recognized for organizing the most successful collegiate Relay For Life in Delaware. Since the school’s first Relay, the University of Delaware has raised $1,065,000, not including this year’s event. Co-chairs Pat Sullivan, Jayne Whitman, Josie Sussman, Stefanie Kahn and Shaun Gines accepted the award.
The Wellness Community of Delaware was recognized for its work to improve the wellbeing of cancer patients. The Wellness Community of Delaware has been a strong and faithful partner to the American Cancer Society, and has provided a refuge for those being treated with cancer in Wilmington. Cindy Dwyer, Executive Director, and David Albaugh, President of the Board of Directors accepted the award.
Wilmington Trust was recognized for its corporate philanthropy. Wilmington Trust has been partnered with the American Cancer Society for many years, and works to increase corporate donations and employee participation Society programs and events. Mr. David Gibson accepted the award on behalf of Wilmington Trust.
Mary Ellen Gibson presented an American Cancer Society award to Cindy Dwyer and David Albaugh from the Wellness Community of Delaware.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. For cancer news in your community, visit sacancernews.org.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dawn Ward, American Cancer Society
(410) 933-5134, dawn.ward@cancer.org
sacancernews.org
Photos available for download:
Mary Ellen Gibson presented an American Cancer Society award to Cindy Dwyer and David Albaugh from the Wellness Community of Delaware. http://sacancernews.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Photo1.jpg
Drs. Robert Frelick, Nicholas Petrelli, Ruben Tiexido, and Les Whitney (left to right) at the American Cancer Society’s “A Night at the Museum” award event. http://sacancernews.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Photo2.jpg
University of Delaware students were honored for their fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society. Students Josie Sussman, Jayne Whitman, Patrick Sullivan and Stefanie Kahn (left to right) stand with Alva Hutchison (center) of the Society. http://sacancernews.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Photo3.jpg