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The Mandela
Family was honored with the “True Grit” Humanitarian
Award at the 29th annual Odyssey Ball on
Saturday, April 5, at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire
Hotel, Beverly Hills. Anton J. Bilchik, MD, PhD, FACS,
Professor of Surgery and Chief of Medicine at John Wayne
Cancer Institute (JWCI) at Providence Saint John’s Health
Center, was presented “The Duke” Special Service
Award. The yearly fundraising event benefits JWCI at
Providence Saint John’s Health Center and is organized by
the JWCI Auxiliary.
The UCLA Gospel
Choir opened the evening which also included performances by
Broadway actor Davis Gaines who wowed the crowd with his
performance of “The Music of the Night” from “The Phantom of
the Opera.” Gaines has performed the role of the Phantom
more than 2,000 times.
Actor, motivational
speaker, author and honored US Army Veteran J.R. Martinez
welcomed the more than 580 guests and thanked Odyssey
Sponsors, Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson; Visionary
Sponsors, the Wayne family; and Platinum Patrons, Gayle and
Marc Ezralow, Suzanne and Rob Davidow, Wells Fargo, Carole
Zumbro, the George Adler family and Providence Health &
Services. Martinez introduced JWCI Auxiliary President Anita
Swift, granddaughter of John Wayne, who spoke poignantly
about her grandfather’s final wish to find a cure for cancer
and the work of Donald L. Morton, MD, her grandfather’s
physician and creator of the renowned JWCI Surgical Oncology
Fellowship Program, who recently passed.
“The Wayne Family is
truly honored to present the ‘True Grit’ Award to the
Mandela Family,” said Patrick Wayne, Chairman of the Board
at JWCI and son of the legendary actor John Wayne. “Their
spirit, fortitude and strength in ending apartheid and
easing human suffering inspire us all and is unsurpassed as
is our commitment to eradicate cancer and provide hope to
cancer patients around the globe.”
The Mandela Family
was honored with the “True Grit” Award for continuing
the mission of former President of South Africa and Nobel
Peace Laureate Nelson Mandela who helped bring an end to
apartheid. CNN Reporter/Producer Nadia Bilchik, sister of
honoree Dr. Bilchik, and Patrick Wayne presented HRH
Princess Zaziwe Dlamini-Manaway and HRH Princess Zamaswazi
Dlamini, granddaughters of Nelson and Winnie Mandela,
necklaces engraved with a quote from their grandfather, “It
always seems impossible until it’s done.”
As global advocates
for human and civil rights, democracy, reconciliation,
mutual respect and tolerance, the family is preserving the
history, heritage and legacy. A member of the African
National Congress party beginning in the 1940s, Nelson
Mandela was a leader against the white minority’s oppressive
regime in a racially divided South Africa. His actions
landed him in prison for nearly three decades and made him
the face of the anti-apartheid movement both within his
country and internationally. His family also suffered under
the regime and was imprisoned and sentenced to house
arrest. In 1994, Nelson Mandela became the first black
president of South Africa, forming a multiethnic government
to oversee the country’s transition. The Mandela Family has
never wavered in their devotion to democracy, equality and
learning. For information, please visit
nelsonmandela.org
or
mandelahouse.co.za.
“It gives us great
pleasure to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of Dr.
Bilchik and his commitment to our mission,” said Anita
Swift, JWCI Auxiliary President. “His worldwide
collaborations and dedication to advance knowledge of cancer
research and treatment, embody all that ‘The Duke’
Award symbolizes.”
Also hailing from
South Africa, Dr. Bilchk, Professor of Surgery and Chief of
Medicine at JWCI, was honored with “The Duke” Special
Service Award presented by his son Dean Bilchik. Dr.
Bilchik is an internationally recognized surgical oncologist
who has pioneered techniques to improve staging in colon
cancer and minimally invasive approaches for liver and
pancreatic cancer. In 2001, Dr. Bilchik was awarded a major
National Cancer Institute (NCI) grant which was successfully
renewed. He has continuously led JWCI’s participation in
international multicenter clinical trials, the results of
which have led to improvements in national quality standards
in cancer care. Considered one of the premier figures in
modern oncology, he is an active member on the editorial
board of four cancer journals and has written over 200
publications. Dr. Bilchik has received numerous awards and
accolades, has been honored by the American Cancer Society,
the American College of Surgeons and recently by the
Anti-Defamation League with its annual “Humanitarian
Award.” He has been listed as one of “America’s Top
Surgeons” for ten years in a row. He is founder of the
California Oncology Research Institute, a nonprofit
organization that supports cancer research and education
internationally and in underserved communities.
About the John
Wayne Cancer Institute
at Providence Saint John’s Health Center
Since 1981, the
family of John Wayne has been committed to pioneering cancer
research in memory of their father, who died of cancer. For
more than 30 years, the courageous and dedicated researchers
at JWCI at Providence Saint John’s Health Center have made
groundbreaking discoveries that have changed the way cancer
is detected, diagnosed and treated around the world. Today,
the tradition of excellence continues as JWCI at Providence
Saint John’s Health Center spearheads new research advances,
while training the next generation of leaders in the fight
against cancer through its renowned Surgical Oncology
Fellowship Program. The Institute’s programs focus on
melanoma, breast, neuro, prostate and gastrointestinal
cancers, as well as innovative research in cancer genomics,
molecular biomarkers, and chemo- and immunotherapies. With
its unique ability to rapidly turn scientific discoveries
into novel approaches for early detection and treatment,
JWCI at Providence Saint John’s Health Center provides
immediate hope to cancer patients everywhere. For more
information, please visit
jwci.org,
like
facebook.com/JohnWayneCancerInstitute
or follow
twitter.com/johnwayneci.
About the John
Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary
Established in 1982
by two breast cancer survivors, the JWCI Auxiliary is
currently helmed by President Anita Swift, granddaughter of
John Wayne. The Auxiliary has raised more than $18 million
to fund a wide array of the Institute’s priorities including
groundbreaking research, vital new laboratory equipment and
the nationally renowned JWCI at Providence Saint John’s
Health Center Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program, which
trains the next generation of surgical oncologists.
For more information, please visit
jwci.org
or call the Auxiliary Information line
at (310) 829-8324.
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