Volunteer, researcher & community advocate Dr. Sandra Millon-Underwood to receive Champion of Hope award.
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – October 30 – Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the American Cancer Society is hosting its annual Champions of Hope Gala online on Friday, November 13 at 7 p.m. Cancer patients are some of the most vulnerable to the coronavirus. Holding a virtual event ensures everyone – including cancer patients, survivors, and their caregivers – can safely join with others to fight cancer. The gala was originally scheduled to take place at the Jan Serr Studio in downtown Milwaukee.
Proceeds will support the American Cancer Society’s hallmark research program, which is currently investing more than $6 million in cancer research in Wisconsin, including two grants at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. The Society is facing a 50% reduction in its investment in cancer research due to significant revenue declines caused by the pandemic.
“Across Wisconsin, people are still being diagnosed with cancer,” said Laurie Bertrand, the American Cancer Society’s executive director in Wisconsin. “Research has led to immeasurable progress in the fight against cancer – progress that can’t be put on hold. If we don’t invest in cancer research now, we’ll have less knowledge on how to prevent and treat cancer, lost progress toward a cure and, ultimately, more suffering from cancer.”
During the virtual program, the American Cancer Society will present its Champion of Hope award to Sandra Millon-Underwood, RN, PhD, FAAN, for her more than 30 years of contributions to advancing the Society’s mission and helping save lives from cancer. Dr. Underwood has dedicated her career to addressing cancer disparities by connecting women, at-risk, and medically underserved minority populations to cancer prevention and early detection information and programs. She has also received research funding from the American Cancer Society, including a Professorship of Oncology Nursing in 1998.
With the event now online, no ticket purchase is required and the gala will stream for free on the Champions of Hope Gala Facebook page (facebook.com/ChampionsofHopeMKE). Viewers will experience an inspirational program that includes the story of Jennifer Ott, a local breast cancer survivor who credits research funded by the American Cancer Society for saving her life and protecting her from a recurrence.
“We’re making progress in the fight against cancer with a 29% drop in cancer death rates since the early 1990s. There’s no time to waste. Cancer won’t stop, so neither can we,” Bertrand added.
For more information and to donate to the American Cancer Society’s research program, visit the Champions of Hope Gala website at ChampionsofHopeWI.org. For free cancer information and support, visit the American Cancer Society at cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345 anytime, day or night.