Patients, Partners and Friends
Community
The UF Health Cancer Center is proud to be a part of a community that moves cancer care and research forward. It is this community that helps shape and guide our mission — to prevent, detect and treat cancer — and brings new therapies to patients through philanthropic investments. Together, we have unstoppable momentum.
Leadership Council
Left to right: Chairman Ron Farb, Dianne Farb, David Arthurs, Connie Brown, Amber Saxon, Laura Press, Ivan Gonzalez, Anna Gonzalez, Stacey Hayes, Jim Islam, Chuck DiNatale, Sue DiNatale, Vice-Chair Sharon Jank, Mark Jank, M.D., Laurel Freeman and Howard Freeman
The UF Health Cancer Center Leadership Council plays a critical role for the center by increasing public awareness of its mission. Made up of approximately 20 volunteers from the local community, as well as Sarasota and Orlando, in addition to foundations that support the UFHCC such as Climb for Cancer, Stop Children’s Cancer and the Ocala Royal Dames for Cancer Research, the members of UFHCC Leadership Council are advocates for the center, hosting events and providing opportunities for faculty to interact with the public. In raising awareness, the council’s mission dovetails with the UF Health Cancer Center Office of Development’s efforts to secure philanthropic support through excellent service and stewardship to donors, patients and the entire community.
Patient and Family Advisory Council
Left to right: Paula Barrett, Fellisha Butler, Pam Clevenger, R.N., Merry-Jennifer Markham, M.D., Amber Gay, Susan Johns, Christine Cassisi, Karen Miller. Not pictured: Bill Sortino, Lori
Wojciechowski, Mary Sortino, Stephen Cates
To ensure patient- and family-centered care, the UF Health Cancer Center relies on the input of its Patient and Family Advisory Council, a volunteer group of individuals whose lives have all been touched by cancer. Partnering with physicians and staff, the council helps improve the patient experience at UF Health by providing feedback in a number of key areas.
Photo Album
Halloweener Derby
In October, residents enjoyed a dachshund-only race, an all-breeds costume contest and trail dog walk in this second annual event at Westside Park. All proceeds went to the Climb for Cancer Foundation, a local nonprofit that supports cancer patients and their families at UF Health.
Making Strides
In 2017, more than 500 staff members, friends and family from UF Health participated in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a national awareness walk hosted by the American Cancer Society. Teams from UF Health raised more than $20,000.
Pink Pumpkin Pedal Off
This annual charity bike ride in Gainesville raises money to support research at UF Health related to treatment-resistant breast cancers. The event was cofounded in 2010 by Barb Wills, who at age 7 lost her mother to breast cancer.
Cops Against Cancer Trail Rides
Community members saddled up for the sixth annual Cops Against Cancer Trail Ride, hosted by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office at San Felasco Hammock State Park. Proceeds benefited the Climb for Cancer Foundation, supporting UF Health cancer patients and their families.
Link to Pink Gymnastics Meet
The Gators gymnastics team hosted the UF Health Cancer Center during their annual Link to Pink meet at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The event is part of a Southeastern Conference initiative to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention and treatment — and attendees received UF Health Cancer Center shirts.
Panera Goes Pink
During the annual Panera Goes Pink fundraising event, a portion of October bagel sales from Gainesville, Ocala and The Villages goes toward the UF Health Cancer Center Women’s Cancer Research Fund.
Tea for a Cure
In May, Survivors for Research, a local nonprofit, hosted Tea for a Cure, a fundraising event that benefits triple-negative breast cancer research. Guests enjoyed tea as well as a “best hat” competition.
Colorectal Cancer Awareness
In March, the UF Health Cancer Center celebrated Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month with an event in the UF Health Shands Hospital atrium that featured a giant inflatable colon, the da Vinci surgical robot and information on screening and treatment options.
Ante Up Against Cancer
The first annual Ante Up Against Cancer poker tournament at the Cardroom at Oxford Downs in Summerfield featured live music, food and drink. The event benefited the UF Health Cancer Center.
“Cheers to the New Year” Party
In January, UF Health Cancer Center faculty and staff gathered in the UF Cancer and Genetics Research Complex atrium to celebrate the center’s myriad achievements in 2017 and to toast to the opportunities and successes of the coming year.
Teamwork
Please contact Carré Mitchell in the UF Health Cancer Center Office of Development to make a gift to cancer research: 352.273.9080 or csaunders@ufl.edu
AT THE UF HEALTH CANCER CENTER, teamwork is at the center of everything we do. Our patients have a team of providers and caregivers in their corner, helping them through every step of their cancer battle. The Cancer Center Office of Development has a team in its corner as well — our robust network of community partners who have joined the fight against cancer! Although Gainesville is a small community, we have incredibly passionate advocates and committed volunteers helping our Cancer Center. For example:
The Climb for Cancer Foundation was founded in 2003 by Ron and Dianne Farb, following Ron’s sister’s breast cancer diagnosis. Today, this nonprofit organizes group climbs around the world, on summits such as Kilimanjaro, to raise funds for patient- focused initiatives at UF Health. To date, Climb for Cancer has raised more than $1.5 million.
Every year, Power of 2 hosts the annual Pink Pumpkin Pedal-O to fund research on triple-negative breast cancer. The Pink Pumpkin Pedal-O began in 2010 as the “Pink Ribbon Ride,” organized by Barb Wills, in honor of her mother, Susanna Wills, who lost her battle with breast cancer when Barb was a young girl. In 2011, Barb Thomas, a local breast cancer survivor joined the team to develop the Pink Pumpkin Pedal-O . The 2017 ride was a record breaker, with more than 420 registered riders raising $20,000 to be awarded to the UF Health Cancer Center. Since its inception, the annual ride has raised $115,000 for breast cancer research.
The Ocala Royal Dames’ mission is to support educational programs and activities that promote, enhance and further cancer research and education on a local and regional level. Comprising more than 240 women from the local community, the Dames host a number of events throughout the year to fund their philanthropic mission, including the Tiara Ball. To date, the Dames have provided more than $1.5 million in research support to UF, as well as support for continuing medical education for residents and clinicians.
Founded in 2016 by Barb Thomas and Terry Weber, both breast cancer survivors, the primary mission of Survivors for Research is to raise funds to provide opportunities for research, education and service to enhance the lives of those affected by triple- negative breast cancer. Through events such as their annual Tea for a Cure and Party on the Patio, Survivors for Research has invested $20,000 in cancer research at the UF Health Cancer Center.
Founded in 1981 by Howard and Laurel Freeman, Stop Children’s Cancer began as the vision of their daughter, Bonnie, to raise $1 million to end children’s cancer. Thirty-seven years and almost $6 million later, Stop Children’s Cancer has been an integral part of bringing clinical trials to the UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital and the UF Health Cancer Center.
