Lazarex Cancer Foundation Founder Receives Champion for Cures Award From Leaders of 100+ Cancer Centers
Dana Dornsife, Founder and Chief Mission and Strategy Officer, Recognized by AACI for Advocating for Equity and Access Around Cancer Clinical Trials
WASHINGTON, September 28, 2023 (Newswire.com) - The Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) has chosen Dana Dornsife, founder and Chief Mission and Strategy Officer of Lazarex Cancer Foundation, to receive its distinguished 2023 Champion for Cures Award.
The award was established in 2018 to recognize those who “demonstrate exceptional leadership in advancing cancer research and care and in inspiring others to do the same.” Dornsife was chosen for her work as a strong visionary and dedicated advocate, for her commitment to community outreach and engagement to increase access and equity around cancer care and clinical trials and for the support, help and hope she has been extending to cancer patients and their families for 17 years.
“It is an incredible honor to receive this award because it comes from the leaders of more than 100 cancer centers in North America and it is a recognition of the change we, at Lazarex Cancer Foundation, are trying to drive together to improve equity and access around cancer clinical trials,” Dornsife says.
AACI says the awardee they choose each year has “gained distinction through their visionary approach to promoting our shared goal of a future without cancer.” The award will be presented on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, during the 2023 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
Dornsife founded Lazarex Cancer Foundation in 2006 after her brother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer and her family learned firsthand about the barriers to cancer clinical trials. Since then, the nonprofit has helped more than 11,000 patients find and access cancer clinical trials. Lazarex is the only national nonprofit reimbursing patients for travel expenses to and from clinical trials.
“Our goal is to level the playing field in the world of cancer care so access to treatment is more equitable and everyone has the opportunity to find and receive the potentially life-saving treatment they need, regardless of zip code or the size of their bank account,” Dornsife says. “We appreciate the recognition that comes with this award because there is still so much work to do and we are committed to raising awareness not only of that need — but most importantly, of solutions to address it.”
Previous Champion for Cures Award recipients include Pelotonia, Sidney and Caroline Kimmel, Phil and Peggy Knight, the Jon M. and Karen Huntsman family, and Richard and Susan Rogel.
About Lazarex Cancer Foundation:
Lazarex is the only non-profit in the United States that assists patients with finding clinical trials and reimburses them for the travel costs associated with those clinical trials. It also works at the community, state and federal levels to improve equity and access around cancer clinical trials. The Foundation continues to work to meet skyrocketing demand. Learn more and help with this important work at Lazarex.org.
Source: Lazarex Cancer Foundation