CURE Media Group, the industry-leading multimedia platform devoted to cancer updates and research that reaches over 1 million patients, has named the winners of its Third Annual Ovarian Cancer Heroes® awards program. The virtual celebration will be held Friday, Oct. 16, 6-7:30 p.m. CDT, in conjunction with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Together in TEAL- No Boundaries.
Keynote speaker Joan Lunden, award-winning journalist, bestselling author, patient advocate and breast cancer survivor, will join this year’s annual evening of gratitude and celebration honoring these three extraordinary individuals from across the globe who have gone above and beyond, making a difference in the lives of those affected by ovarian cancer.
The 2020 Ovarian Cancer Heroes® winners are the following:
- Robin Cohen, B.S.N., RN, OCN, is the CEO and co-founder of the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, the Society of Gynecologic Nurse Oncologists and Cambridge Who’s Who. Cohen has been recognized as one of the 75 Greatest Living Philadelphians and is the 2016 recipient of the Cindy Melancon Spirit Award. She has served on the board of directors of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, is currently the vice president of the Board of the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance and serves on the board of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Cohen works on behalf of women with ovarian cancer every day so that they can live better and longer lives.
- Deborah Zajchowski, Ph.D., is the scientific director of the Clearity Foundation in San Diego, California and oversees the foundation’s treatment decision support services and research efforts. She ensures that patients receive information about the most advanced treatment options for ovarian cancer — tailored to their specific tumor and clinical situation — through one-on-one consultations and regularly updated online resources. As a cancer biologist, Zajchowski has been involved in cancer research and drug/target discovery and development for more than 25 years. Zajchowski is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Society of Clinical Oncology and has published many research articles on cancer genomics, estrogen action and transcriptional control.
- Andrea Herzberg is a 24-year survivor of late-stage ovarian cancer. She received her diagnosis at age 39. Born in Brooklyn, Herzberg graduated from the University at Albany (formerly known as State University of New York at Albany) in 1977. As a news reporter, she worked for the Troy, New York, Times Record and United Press International. Her second career was in community policing. As a rookie, she started out as a beat cop in New York City’s Chinatown. After 26 years in the New York City Police Department, she retired in 2011 with the rank of sergeant, supervisor of a detective squad, from the Special Victims Division. Now, as coordinator of SHARE’s cancer support toll-free ovarian helpline, Herzberg recruits and trains volunteers who are both compassionate listeners and passionate about helping callers find information, support and hope. Herzberg feels privileged to know these women who use their own experiences with a life-threatening illness to help others.
“Congratulations to these remarkable heroes who have dedicated their efforts to raising awareness, education and research in ovarian cancer,” said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences™, parent company of CURE Media Group. “Seeing firsthand the compassionate care the medical staff provided to my mother during her ovarian cancer diagnosis, was incredible and has made a lasting impression. We are so grateful to be joined by Joan Lunden and look forward to honoring each hero with their family, friends and colleagues at the Ovarian Cancer Heroes® virtual recognition ceremony.”
As the longest running female host ever on early morning television, Lunden was the co-host of Good Morning America for nearly two decades. In 2014, Lunden was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, which required chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. An eternal optimist, Lunden turned her diagnosis into a mission to educate and inspire others about prevention, treatment and survival. Throughout Lunden’s treatment, she blogged about her journey on her website and shared her battle and the transformative effect it has had on her life in her book “Had I Known.” She has also sought ways to promote change and has successfully advocated for other survivors on Capitol Hill. As host of the PBS Series, ‘Second Opinion with Joan Lunden’ and the Washington Post Podcast, ‘Caring for Tomorrow’, Lunden continues to advocate for health, wellness, and actively communicates with Americans daily through both her social media and her website, JoanLunden.com.
“We are honored to be part of this event once again, and to recognize the remarkable efforts that are being made in the field of ovarian cancer, especially during these unprecedented times,” said Mike Petroutsas, senior vice president of the US Oncology Business Unit at GSK. “At GSK, we share a similar mission of improving the lives of women with ovarian cancer, and are proud to offer resources that educate, empower and support this community. I am truly inspired knowing that with our collective efforts, we can help women and their loved ones find a way forward.”
For more information on the winners and to register to attend, click here.
This event is sponsored by GSK in partnership with Foundation for Women’s Cancer/Society of Gynecologic Oncology, FORCE, Ovarian Cancer research Alliance, Clearity Foundation, and Cancer Support Community.
About CURE Media Group
CURE Media Group is the leading resource for cancer updates, research and education. It combines a full suite of media products, including its industry-leading website, CUREtoday.com; innovative video programs, such as “CURE Connections®” live events; and CURE® magazine, which reaches more than 1 million readers, as well as the dynamic website for oncology nurses, OncNursingNews.com, and its companion publication, Oncology Nursing News®. CURE Media Group is a brand of MJH Life Sciences™, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.
About GSK
GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com.
See the original press release here.