Welcome from the Chair, Sherry Lansing

Welcome to the STOP CANCER Web Site!

This is a promising way to learn about our volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to funding cancer research. Over the years, STOP CANCER has continued to be a cherished charity in my life for its mission of helping brilliant young scientists get started in their quest to vanquish cancer. The answer is only in research.

Our Web Site is also a convenient and practical way for current members to keep up-to-the-minute on STOP CANCER events, meetings and announcements as well as to send Tributes.

As you navigate these pages, you will understand the value of STOP CANCER Awards and Seed Grants to cancer researchers and subsequently to the community. We hope you will be inspired to become part of the STOP CANCER family.

Thank you for your attention and interest in cancer research.

“What greater gift can life bestow than to be able to say that we believe in our fellow man, and that we dare to accomplish a few things to help make the world a better place?”

Philanthropist, entrepreneur, corporate executive, art collector, medical doctor, citizen-diplomat, friend of heads-of-state, world traveler and visionary—Dr. Armand Hammer, chairman and founder of Occidental Petroleum Corporation was all of these and more. Until his death in December 1990 at age 92-1/2, he literally worked around the clock seven days a week.

As Chairman of President Ronald Reagan’s Cancer Panel for 8 years, Dr. Hammer learned that the preponderance of requests for cancer research grants were unfilled at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) due to lack of funds. Consequently, in 1988 in partnership with Sherry Lansing, former Chairman of Paramount Pictures, he founded the non-profit, volunteer, nationally focused campaign STOP CANCER, dedicated to funding cancer research.

	Dr. Armand Hammer and Prince Charles

Following Armand Hammer’s passing, STOP CANCER was reorganized in 1991 with Sherry Lansing as Chair and Arlene and David Ray as Founding Presidents. At the suggestion of the Director of the NCI, the focus of the now-permanent organization became local with the establishment of Research Career Development Awards and Seed Grants to selected young scientists at Los Angeles County’s three Comprehensive Cancer Centers, UCLA’s Jonsson, USC’s Norris and the City of Hope Center.

Dr. Hammer would be proud of the accomplishments of STOP CANCER and its hardworking volunteer members and staff who have raised since 1988, including the original STOP CANCER campaign funds, nearly $50 million for cancer research. He would be happy knowing that Dr. Ray R. Irani, his successor as chairman and CEO of Occidental, picked up the torch to help carry on the quest to vanquish cancer. Over the years Dr. Irani and Occidental have most generously supported STOP CANCER. Ray Irani received the First STOP CANCER Humanitarian Award at the organization’s Annual Research Awards Dinner on November 5, 2003.

The dedication, the enthusiasm and the perseverance that Armand Hammer brought to the mission of STOP CANCER inspire today’s indomitable volunteers to help fulfill his dream of a cure for cancer in our lifetime—if not in his.