Press Releases

Los Angeles 2009/11/18 -Three Americans whose unique talents and dedication have helped make progress in the fight against cancer today received prestigious awards from the American Cancer Society for their work in volunteerism, humanitarianism and distinguished service. The Society, the nation’s largest voluntary health organization, honors individuals whose work is helping to make the organization’s goal of saving lives and creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays a reality. In gratitude for their inspirational service to mankind, the Society’s National volunteer leaders presented these annual awards to these outstanding individuals in ceremonies during the organization’s annual meeting in Los Angeles.

Paul F. Engstrom, M.D., received the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of major contributions and commitment in the field of cancer. Samuel J. LaMonte, M.D., F.A.C.S., was awarded the National Volunteer Leadership Award in recognition of long and exemplary volunteer service to the Society. Adnan Hammad, Ph.D., received the Humanitarian Award for playing a critical role in the founding, growth, and development of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services.

Paul F. Engstrom, M.D., of Philadelphia, senior vice president, extramural research programs, and medical director, Fox Chase Cancer Center Partners, received the Distinguished Service Award for his major and unique contributions to cancer control through clinical practice, education, and administration. Dr. Engstrom’s work to help further understanding of the risk factors, prevention, treatment and survival of various cancers, and his commitment to furthering cancer research has been immensely valuable. In his leadership role at Fox Chase, Dr. Engstrom specializes in gastrointestinal malignancies, and offers a second opinion service at several of the Fox Chase Cancer Center Partner hospitals for patients with breast cancer and other diagnoses. He serves as the chair of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Colorectal-Anal Cancer Guidelines Panel, and is a member of the NCCN Neuroendocrine Malignancy Panel and Senior Adult Oncology Task Force. He also serves as the director of the Fox Chase Early Detection Research Network Clinical Epidemiology and Validation Center Program. Dr. Engstrom is also being honored for his ongoing work to fight the disease through numerous appointments, organizations, and volunteer roles.

Samuel J. LaMonte, M.D., F.A.C.S., of Tampa, Fla., a retired head and neck surgeon, received the National Volunteer Leadership Award for his dedicated service to the American Cancer Society since 1976. His 33 years of volunteer service have touched every corner of the organization, and Dr. LaMonte has served as an excellent example of the dedication, commitment, integrity, and vision it takes to be a role model for other volunteers. Dr. LaMonte has been a national leader within the Society since 1994, and he has served on numerous committees such as the Prevention Committee, Tobacco Prevention Subcommittee, Continuing Medical Education Subcommittee and the National Board of Directors, and currently serves on the Quality of Life committee and the Health Promotions Workgroup In 1992, he was diagnosed with the kind of neck cancer he had treated as a physician for so many years, and he believes that his experience as a patient made him a better doctor. Dr. LaMonte served as the volunteer chairman for the Society’s Florida Division’s participation in the 2002 and 2006 Celebration on the Hill events. He led the community ambassador selection process and was instrumental in organizing the Florida delegation, which, thanks to his passion for advocacy and fighting cancer, became a true lobbying force. His continued dedication regarding survivorship issues will enhance the future benefits to cancer patients and their caregivers.

Adnan Hammad, Ph.D., of Dearborn, Mich., health director of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), received the Humanitarian Award for his critical role in the founding, growth and development of the ACCESS Community Health and Research Center. ACCESS is an organization dedicated to helping the Arab American community, as well as the greater community, through a wide range of human and cultural services. Dr. Hammad’s commitment has truly made an impact on underprivileged people around the world. As a result of his work, new immigrants, as well as assimilated Arabs, are able to receive critical health and human services, overcoming enormous cultural barriers that often prevent them from receiving the care and support that they need. ACCESS’ clinic has become one of the signature health care providers for roughly 350,000 people in Southeast Michigan. Born in a refugee camp in Palestine, Dr. Hammad continues to visit and work in the Middle East despite the demands on his time here in the U.S. He has been intricately involved in enacting comprehensive cancer control strategies by developing training programs for health care professionals in the Middle East and building partnerships with organizations such as the World Health Organization, the University of Science and Technology in Jordan, and many others. His work truly does impact the entire Arab world, both domestically and abroad.

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and after a diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $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 anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.