Advocacy, Entertainment and Politics Unite in Washington, D.C. to Celebrate Cancer Survivors

Mariska Hargitay, Bob Schieffer, Representative Lois Capps (D, CA), anti-cancer activist and philanthropist Lilly Tartikoff and other prominent leaders in entertainment, advocacy and politics joined nearly 400 guests at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium Wednesday night for the annual Rays of Hope® Gala celebrating cancer survivors and honoring leaders in the cancer survivorship movement. The May 13 dinner benefit raised nearly $800,000 for the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS).

Honorees included Golden Globe and Emmy Award Winning Actress Law and Order SVU's Mariska Hargitay, who received The Lilly Tartikoff/Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) Hope Award for Cancer Philanthropy for her efforts to raise awareness and funds supporting the fight against cancer. The award was presented by Lilly Tartikoff and Lisa Paulsen, president and chief executive officer of the EIF. 

Doug Ulman, founder of The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults and president of the Lance Armstrong Foundation was awarded the Catherine Logan Award for Service to Survivorship for his efforts to help young adults deal with cancer through grassroots advocacy. The award was presented by Rep. Lois Capps and was accepted by Doug Ulman's parents, Lou and Diana Ulman, on his behalf.  

Special recognition for Excellence in Media was given to the television production Stand Up To Cancer, an unprecedented event broadcast on three major networks that raised more than $100 million for cancer research, and Living Proof, a Lifetime movie that tells the true story of oncologist and researcher Dr. Dennis Slamon, the UCLA doctor whose dedicated research led to the development of the innovative breast cancer drug, Herceptin.

"We are delighted to honor this group of remarkable individuals and organizations whose extraordinary contributions to cancer survivorship inspire hope in all of us," said NCCS Acting President & CEO Ellen Stovall.  "Year after year, this event allows us to pay tribute to the work being done every day on behalf of this country's nearly 12 million cancer survivors."

Bob Schieffer, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent and moderator of Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer was the master of ceremonies for the evening.  The Honorable Ken Bentsen and Tamra Bentsen, Pat and Bob Schieffer, Jean and Dick Thompson, and Eleanor Winter and Dan Backo served as gala chairs. Honorary gala co-chairs include The Honorable Donna Shalala, The Honorable Tommy Thompson, Ted Kennedy, Jr., and Lilly Tartikoff.  

For event photos or more information, please contact Linah Lubin at 301-562-2763 or llubin@canceradvocacy.org.