O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine Spring 2019 | Page 16

GIVING BACK
BCRFA PRESENTS A MILESTONE DONATION
BLAZER BOLT RAISES MONEY FOR NEURO-
ONCOLOGY RESEARCH
Pictured, L to R: Rhodmarie Maron, D.O., Alyssa Reddy, M.D., Shirley
Gibbs and Burt Nabors, M.D., co-leader of the Neuro-Oncology
Program in the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama
presented $1 Million — its largest donation to date — to
the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB on
Feb. 2. With this record-breaking donation, BCRFA has
contributed more than $8.7 million to UAB since its
inception in 1996.
BCRFA makes an annual donation to the Cancer Center
with proceeds from its fundraising efforts during the
previous year, including BCRFA events, corporate and
individual donations, and sales of the breast cancer
specialty license plate tags.
Representatives from the Blazer Bolt 5K recently visited
the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB to
present a donation from the 2017 event, which was held
October 21, in Downtown Homewood. The race raised
$25,000, which will benefit brain tumor research at the
Cancer Center and Children’s of Alabama.
ANNUAL SAMMY DUNN MEMORIAL GOLF
TOURNAMENT
METRO SERTOMA CLUB MAKES ANNUAL
DONATION
Birmingham’s Metro Sertoma Club recently made its
annual contribution to the O’Neal Comprehensive
Cancer Center at UAB. Pictured here with member Steve
Scorey is Cancer Center Director Michael J. Birrer, M.D.,
Ph.D. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the club,
which has supported the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer
Center since 1985.
OAK MOUNTAIN COLOR RUN RAISES $22,000
FOR THE CANCER CENTER
BCRFA’s pilot funding has provided the seed money for
many fundamental and clinical research projects.
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O ’ N E A L CO M PR EH EN S I V E C A N C ER C EN T ER AT UA B
Jeffrey Nix, M.D., (L) and his children Judah Nix and Josie Kate Nix
accepts a check on behalf of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer for
$150,000 from Mike Slive, Abigail Slive Harwood, Anna Slive Harwood
and Judd Harwood.
The Mike Slive Foundation for Prostate Cancer Research
presented $150,000 — its first donation ever to the
O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB — on
March 3 at the UAB Men’s Basketball game in Bartow
Arena.
The contribution from the Mike Slive Foundation is
funding three essential grants for Cancer Center faculty
to advance cutting-edge research in prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer
among men, and is the second leading cause of death
from cancer in men. Alabama is one of the top 10 states
in the nation for prostate cancer diagnosis, with more
than 3,000 estimated cases diagnosed each year.
“The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama
has been central to providing the critical monies for the
development and maintenance of the breast cancer
research program, making our program one of the most
prominent breast cancer programs in the country,”
says Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., director of the O’Neal
Comprehensive Cancer Center. “BCRFA is a perfect
example of motivating the community to support new
and evolving research.”
All BCRFA donations remain in Alabama to support
research at the O’Neal Cancer Center and its
collaborative partners, providing a lifesaving impact
both locally and globally. Community partners for
this year’s gift include Tameron Automotive, The
Thompson Family Foundation, Sirote & Permutt, The
Alabama Power Foundation, Renasant Bank, Wind
Creek Wetumpka, Protective Life Foundation, Thrivent
Financial, Spectrum Reach, and iHeart Media, among
many others.
MIKE SLIVE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS
PROSTATE CANCER RESEARCH AT UAB
Pictured are VHHS Head Baseball Coach Jamie Harris, Linda Dunn and
Martin Heslin, M.D., associate scientist in the O’Neal Comprehensive
Cancer Center.
The Vestavia Hills High School Baseball team supports
the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB
through its annual Sammy Dunn Memorial Golf
Tournament, honoring the life of the late Sammy Dunn,
former longtime Vestavia Hills head baseball coach and
one of the most successful coaches in Alabama high
school baseball history.
Pictured L to R: Kristi Sayers, EdD, principal, Oak Mountain High
School; Sara Adamson, Color Run co-chair; Emily Anne Beauchaine,
Color Run co-chair; Grace Griffin, Oak Mountain SGA president; and
Michael J. Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., director, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer
Center
Established in 2017 and named for former Conference
USA and SEC Commissioner Mike Slive, the Foundation’s
mission is to save lives by funding research and raising
awareness of prostate cancer. UAB Athletics and
the UAB Men’s Basketball team partnered with the
Foundation to ‘block’ prostate cancer, donating money
for each blocked shot during the season. Slive, who
publicly battled prostate cancer, passed away in May
2018.
The O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB
recently received a $22,000 donation for cancer
research from the Oak Mountain High School Student
Government Association. The funds were raised at the
annual Oak Mountain Color Run, held on March 17, 2018
with more than 300 runners participating.
UAB.EDU/CANCER
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