UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine E-Edition 2016 | Page 8

Letter from the Advisory Board
For the past year, I have had the honor of serving as president of the

Advisory Board of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. As my term

comes to a close, I’m extremely proud of the incredible year our board has
had.

In February, we hosted one of our most successful fundraising events

ever – the annual ArtBLINK Gala. We had a record-breaking number of
attendees, with nearly 1,000 people there at The Kirklin Clinic of UAB
Hospital to enjoy a fantastic event and support the fight against cancer.

I’m proud that this year’s event raised more than $600,000, all of which
Joel Welker

will be used to support research and patient services at the Cancer Center.
When I first joined the Advisory Board in 2011, I was surprised to learn

that UAB is one of only 45 comprehensive cancer centers in the United States and the only one in Alabama.

Learning about the various research activities at the center – and seeing firsthand what goes into the National
Cancer Institute’s “comprehensive” designation – has been a highlight of my time on the board.

As a cancer survivor, I want to tell as many people as possible about the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center,
and I want them to know that the best care is right here in their back yard. I believe in what we do and that

it makes a difference. Our job as an Advisory Board is to continue the Cancer Center’s mission and support it
in any way we can moving forward.

The future of the Cancer Center – and the Advisory Board – is bright, and I am extremely proud to be a part

of it. I’m excited to see what the next few years will bring as we move closer to a cure. I’m so impressed by the
work being done here, and while there are many good causes in Birmingham, I’m most proud to be part of
the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.

JOEL WELKER
2015-16 ADVISORY BOARD PRESIDENT

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