Special Award Winners

Each year, ASCO honors individuals who have made significant contributions to ASCO, the practice of oncology, and patients with cancer as a way to recognize enhancements in cancer care. The 2011 Award recipients are as follows:

David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award and Lecture: Kenneth C. Anderson, MD
Presentation: During Opening Session, June 4, 9:30 AM-12:00 PM | Location: Hall B1
Dr. Anderson is being honored for his achievements in cancer research. His studies on novel biologically based therapies for multiple myeloma and has helped to transform myeloma therapy.

Science of Oncology Award and Lecture: Robert A. Weinberg, PhD
Presentation: During Plenary Session, June 5, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM | Location: Hall B1
Dr. Weinberg is being honored for furthering the understanding of cancer through his innovative and groundbreaking research. He is best known for his discovery of the first human oncogene, the ras oncogene, which causes normal cells to form tumors, and for the isolation of the first known tumor suppressor gene, the Rb gene.

ASCO-American Cancer Society Award and Lecture: Jamie H. Von Roenn, MD
Presentation: June 5, 8:00 AM-9:15 AM | Location: S100a
Dr. Von Roenn is being honored for her pioneering work in palliative medicine. She has focused her career on the integration of palliative medicine skills and principles into oncology care.

Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award and Lecture^: Luca Gianni, MD
Presentation: September 8-10, San Francisco, Calif.*
Dr. Gianni is being honored for research that has led to the definition of a successful new regimen for breast cancer, as well as for the clarification of relevant aspects of the pharmacology of paclitaxel and the mechanisms of drug–drug enhancement with doxorubicin.

B.J. Kennedy Award and Lecture for Scientific Excellence in Geriatric Oncology: John M. Bennett, MD
Presentation: June 5, 4:45 PM-4:00 PM | Location: S100bc
Dr. Bennett is being recognized for his distinguished leadership in geriatric oncology. He was a founding member of the International Society for Geriatric Oncology and the first chair of the Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation.

Pediatric Oncology Award and Lecture: Lee J. Helman, MD
Presentation: June 4, 1:15 PM-2:30 PM | Location: S504
Dr. Helman is being honored for his focus on the biology and treatment of pediatric sarcomas, specifically Ewing’s sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and osteosarcoma.

Partners in Progress Award: Benjamin O. Anderson, MD
Presentation: During Highlights of the Day, June 6, 7:30 AM-9:00 AM
Dr. Anderson is being honored for his efforts to improve the quality of care women receive around the world. For the past decade, he has been a leading voice in the international breast cancer clinical improvement and best practices movement through the establishment of the Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI).

Distinguished Achievement Award: David Khayat, MD, PhD
Presentation: During Private Function, June 3, 7:00 PM
Dr. Khayat is being honored for his efforts to improve cancer treatment and awareness in France and abroad. He organized the French Federation of Medical Oncologists and was the Co-Founder of the World Summit Against Cancer, which gathered more than 100 international leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the eradication of cancer.

Special Recognition Award: Daniel G. Haller, MD
Presentation: During Private Function, June 3, 7:00 PM
Dr. Haller is being honored for his outstanding contributions to clinical oncology and cancer research and for his dedicated service to the oncology community. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the official journal of ASCO.

Public Service Award: The Honorable Sherrod Brown
Presentation: During Private Function*
Sen. Brown, the senior U.S. Senator from Ohio, is being honored for his efforts to ensure the new health care law included important consumer protections that require insurance plans to cover routine patient care for patients undergoing cancer clinical trials.

ASCO Statesman Award
The ASCO Statesman Award recognizes ASCO members for their extraordinary volunteer service, dedication, and commitment to ASCO. Recipients have given 20 years of volunteer service. A list can be found on ASCO Statesman Award page.

* The Public Service Award and the Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award will not be presented at the Annual Meeting. All other award recipients will be presented with their awards at ASCO’s 2011 Annual Meeting, held June 3-7 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.

^ The Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award and Lecture and the Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Research Fellowship are supported by a grant from GlaxoSmithKlineOncology