Press Releases
ATLANTA, Feb. 13, 2023 – The American Cancer Society (ACS) announces the 2022 national volunteer awards recipients. These award recipients have been recognized for their work to further the American Cancer Society’s mission to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Among the awardees is Sleep Number®, presented with the 2022 Corporate Partner of the Year Award, recognizing the incredible impact the organization has had on cancer patients and caregivers.
Sleep Number® has committed to a multi-year partnership with ACS to conduct joint research to develop sleep strategies and guidance for cancer patients and survivors. Sleep Number® also furnishes ACS’ Hope Lodge communities with 360® smart beds, Sleep Number® bedding, and other sleep solutions to offer comforting sleep experiences for patients during their cancer treatment journey.
“Our vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone, would not be possible without the inspired work of our corporate partners and devoted volunteers,” said Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society. “Their time and energy are critical to the work we do to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families, and we’re proud to honor that dedication with the 2022 national volunteer awards.”
The American Cancer Society also honored two recipients for making remarkable advances in cancer research with the Researcher of the Year Award: Dr. Lipika Goyal, an associate professor of medicine at Stanford School of Medicine, and Dr. Vanessa B. Sheppard, an associate director for community outreach engagement and disparities research at VCU Massey Cancer Center.
As an ACS clinician scientist development grant recipient, Dr. Goyal has provided critical protected time to better understand why patients with a defect in a Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) aren’t sensitive to a drug that specifically targets this oncogenic driver. ACS awarded $1.5 million to Dr. Sheppard for a study that seeks to improve the uptake of chemotherapy and adjuvant hormone therapy among Black breast cancer patients.
Two volunteer leaders have been honored with the volunteer leadership award for their service to ACS. A passionate force for health equity, David Ford of West Hills, California has served as one of the top volunteer spokespeople and leadership faces of the American Cancer Society as the organization navigated the health and cultural crises coming out of the pandemic. Fellow award recipient Bryan Sherwood of Dallas, Texas, was honored as one of the American Cancer Society’s most innovative and strategic volunteer leaders, leveraging his digital savviness and strategic mindset to spur victories across the board at ACS.
The Fredda Bryan National Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award was awarded to Charlie W. Hill of Hampton, Virginia. This award recognizes a volunteer who has impacted the lives of cancer patients and their families by advancing the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has been an advocate dedicated to spreading cancer awareness messaging to the communities he serves with a diversity, equity and inclusion, and health equity strategic focus.
The St. George National Award is given to outstanding volunteers throughout all ACS Regions who have made significant contributions to the American Cancer Society’s strategic goals. The award was first conceived in 1949 by Dr. Charles S. Cameron, a former ACS medical and scientific director, the St. George National Award has been presented to more than 1,400 ACS volunteers nationwide.
This year’s recipients are: Alden S. Bradstock of Bethesda, Maryland; Dave Dexter of Phoenix, Arizona; Adam Gewanter of Chicago, Illinois; Dan Johnson of Tampa, Florida; Jeff Mader of Prior Lake, Minnesota; Randall Melton of White Lake, Michigan; Danyelle Musselman of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Kathy Ottele of Salem, Oregon; Yamile Rivera of Kissimmee, Florida; Ujwala Deshmane Rajgopoal, MD, FACS, FICS, MBA of San Diego, California; Gary S. Shedlin of Short Hills, New Jersey; and Mike Shult of Oregon, Wisconsin.
###
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 100 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.