Actor and
humanitarian Gary Sinise was honored with the “True
Grit” Humanitarian Award and Maggie DiNome, MD, FACS,
director, Cancer Prevention Program and chief of general
surgery at Providence Saint John’s Health Center was
presented with “The Duke” Special Service Award at the 30th
annual Odyssey Ball, April 11, 2015, at the Four Seasons
Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills. The yearly
fundraising event benefits the John Wayne Cancer Institute
at Providence Saint John’s Health Center and is organized by
the John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary led by co-chairs
Martha Harper, Colleen Pennell, Elizabeth Rawjee and Jessica
Royer. Actor, motivational speaker, author and honored US
Army veteran J.R. Martinez hosted the “We Can All Be Heroes”
themed gala.
More than $1.4
million was raised at the 30th Annual John Wayne
Cancer Institute Auxiliary Odyssey Ball thanks to the
generous gifts from Providence Health & Services, the John
Wayne Cancer Foundation, Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson and
Mrs. Martin Weil.
Virtuoso violinist
Lee England, Jr., often dubbed “The Michael Jordan of the
violin,” opened the evening with a stirring rendition of
“Heroes.” Entertainment continued with The Company Men,
America’s first Mash-up group, blending Motown, Rock, Pop
and today’s Top 40, who performed an inspirational version
of “Stand Strong.” Late night dancing with The Tony Galla
Band featuring Billy Valentine followed dinner and the
awards presentation.
J.R. Martinez
welcomed nearly 500 guests and thanked Odyssey Sponsors, Dr.
Miriam and Sheldon Adelson; Odyssey Sponsors, John Wayne
Cancer Foundation and the Wayne family; and Platinum
Sponsors, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Providence Health &
Services and Ruth Weil. In keeping with the evening’s theme,
he movingly related the story of his own brush with death
while serving in Iraq and subsequent recovery from massive
burns. “While I was recovering,” said Martinez, “a nurse
asked me to speak to another burn patient. That nurse was a
hero because by getting me to think beyond my own pain and
recovery, she set me on a path to help others.” Describing
the doctors, nurses, scientists, researchers and donors at
the John Wayne Cancer Institute as “heroic warriors,” he
went on to introduce Anita Swift, John Wayne Cancer
Institute Auxiliary president and granddaughter of the late,
iconic actor, John Wayne.
“Nobody should come
to the movies unless they believe in heroes,” said Swift,
referring to a quote of her grandfather’s. Comparing the
heroism Wayne showed on screen to the heroism he
demonstrated in his courageous battle with cancer, she
credited his strength of character and determination as the
seed from which his children and Dr. Donald L. Morton came
together in 1981 to form the John Wayne Cancer Institute.
Shortly thereafter, a group of dedicated women formed the
John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary and together have
raised more than $18 million to fuel the needed research
conducted by the Institute.
Patrick Wayne,
chairman of the John Wayne Cancer Institute and son of the
actor, described the family’s vow in forming the Institute,
“To end cancer; we knew it wouldn’t happen overnight, but
when you pin your ambitions on the name ‘John Wayne,’ you
know that nothing but an absolute victory is acceptable.”
He also took a moment to recognize two key additions to the
Institute’s team, newly named chief executive, Marcel Loh
and Dr. Timothy Wilson, a renowned specialist in the field
of prostate cancer.
Dr. Anton J. Bilchik,
chief of medicine at John Wayne Cancer Institute and last
year’s “The Duke” honoree, provided an overview of the many
breakthroughs credited to the Institute and the positive
road ahead.
J.R. Martinez
presented the “True Grit” Humanitarian Award to
Oscar-nominated and Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG award-winning
actor Gary Sinise. For more than thirty years, Sinise has
advocated in support of America’s veterans. His commitment
started in the early 1980s when he began supporting local
Vietnam veterans groups in the Chicago area and created the
Vets Night program at the Steppenwolf Theatre, giving free
meals and performances to Chicago’s veterans. It was his
portrayal of Lt. Dan Taylor in the landmark film Forrest
Gump, in 1994, which formed an enduring connection with
servicemen and women throughout the military community.
Shortly after the film opened, Sinise was introduced to the
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization when they
presented him with their National Commanders Award for
playing the double amputee. His relationship and work with
the DAV in support of our wounded service members has lasted
for over 20 years.
After the terrorist attacks on September 11,
2001, he was called to action to do more to support the
military men and women who were responding to those attacks.
In 2003, he volunteered for the USO, began visiting our
troops in Iraq and around the world, and formed the “Lt. Dan
Band” named for his character in the landmark film. The band
has performed across the globe in support of our defenders
and military families. Sinise is also the spokesperson for
several veterans organizations and serves on executive
councils for the Medal of Honor Foundation, the USO and as
an advisory board member for Hope for the Warriors. He has
been honored with the Presidential Citizens Medal, the
second highest civilian honor awarded for exemplary deeds
performed in service of the nation. He is only the third
actor ever to receive this honor. Most recently, Sinise was
named an honorary Marine, an honorary Chief Petty Officer by
the Navy and was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Award. In
2011, he established the Gary Sinise Foundation (www.garysinisefoundation.org)
to expand his individual efforts and has raised millions of
dollars in support of our veterans and first responders.
Samantha Bryant,
former patient and cancer survivor, presented Maggie DiNome,
MD, FACS, acting director of the Margie Petersen Breast
Center, director of the Cancer Prevention Program, chief of
general surgery at Providence Saint John’s Health Center and
an assistant professor at the John Wayne Cancer Institute
with “The Duke” Special Service Award, calling her “a rock
star among doctors.” Dr. DiNome is deeply committed to the
fight against cancer and has established herself as a
visionary leader turning the focus from not only treatment
but also to prevention of this disease. With Grammy
Award-winning artist P!nk, Dr. DiNome founded and chairs the
Power of Pink fundraisers, elevating the national
visibility of the Margie Petersen Breast Center and raising
funds for the innovative Cancer Prevention Program. As a
faculty member of the John Wayne Cancer Institute, Dr.
DiNome is also the principal investigator of a clinical
trial pioneering cryotherapy as a novel treatment approach
for patients with early stage breast cancer. Dr. DiNome
graduated cum laude from Yale University; received
her medical degree from Duke University and completed her
surgical training at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital of
Harvard University Medical School.
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 the John Wayne Cancer Institute 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 the Institute 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, the Institute provides immediate
hope to cancer patients everywhere.
About the John
Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary
Established in 1982 by two breast cancer
survivors, the John Wayne Cancer Institute 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 Surgical Oncology Fellowship
Program, which trains the next generation of surgical
oncologists. For more information, please visit
www.JWCIgiving.org.
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