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We feel privileged to have been elected your
Co-Presidents for 2008. We thank you for your
vote of confidence, and we look forward to an
exciting year ahead for STOP CANCER!
STOP CANCER had an enormously successful year
last year and we will be working diligently with
our Officers and Committee Chairs, as well as
our outstanding professional staff, to create
exciting events for our current and prospective
members. We will also be working on creative
ways to further enhance our fundraising activities,
as well as getting the message out—that
every dollar given to STOP CANCER equals two
dollars of direct benefit to research, due to
the unique “in-kind matching funds” provisions
in our charter.
The continued support, enthusiasm and friendship
of you, our STOP CANCER members, is what ensures
the success of our organization and the fulfillment
of our mission….Dedicated to finding a
cure for Cancer in our Lifetime!
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Among the accomplishments during our terms
were the selection of Ron Wise as Executive
Director, major revisions of the ByLaws, creation
of a governing Board of Directors, placement
of the Paula and Paul Tobias Endowment Fund
with Vanguard Asset Management Services and
introduction of an Endowed Chair program.
Following three membership drives, the STOP
CANCER family increased to a record 640 individuals
with many upgrades to Benefactor, Distinguished
Benefactor and Patron.
During this period, the 2005 Cruise Classic
was introduced with record proceeds. A Long
Range Planning Committee was initiated with
goals providing a structure for all activities.
Other contributions included participation
in a STOP CANER Telethon and Internet Auction,
a world film premiere, and special receptions
for new members.
All the above were accomplished with an effective
office staff and strong membership participation.
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During our second term as Presidents, we oversaw the USC/Norris
Educational Forum and the Premiere of “The Sum of All Fears” which
raised $500,000, with in-kind matching funds, for cancer research.
We inaugurated a Literary Luncheon in honor of original Founder
Member, Marcia Israel-Curley, the author of “Defying the
Odds.”
Art Tours to galleries and artists’ studios were introduced
and proved very popular and successful for the artists who support
our Weekend Classic.
This 2002 Weekend Classic was the culmination of a very successful year for STOP CANCER.
Research Career Development Awards and Seed Grants were announced at our Annual Awards Dinner on November 12, 2002 at the Four Seasons Hotel.
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We achieved our goal to raise our reserves to over $1 million;
this was a record first for STOP CANCER at this time.
During this period, we oversaw the installation of the STOP CANCER Honor Wall
on the Research Floor at the USC/Norris Center. We introduced an Annual Report
on the “State of STOP CANCER” and the establishment of a STOP CANCER
Website.
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For a good part of the year, we officiated for an absentee Executive
Director and spent much time helping interview candidates for this
position.
We obtained the charitable services of our son-in-law, Eric Schotz
of LMNO Productions to film one entire year of STOP CANCER events,
contributing towards basic footage for the Video, STOP CANCER.
During our term, we increased membership by obtaining 20 new Founder
Members at the Weekend Classic and then hosted a reception for
them. Most of these members are still active supporters.
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During our first year term, we obtained a Special Founders Screening
of Walt Disney’s “101 Dalmations” which resulted
in a major increase in membership.
We introduced a Special Event featuring the Alberta Ferreti Fashion
Show at Neiman Marcus (broadcast on CBS with the STOP CANCER logo);
obtained Premieres for several films from Paramount Pictures, set
up the Adopt-a-Doctor program and organized the Advertising Council.
Most importantly, Dr. Giske Ursin, an Awardee in 1996, has since
received over $1 million in grants from the National Cancer Institute
and the California Breast Cancer Research.
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During our Presidency, we inaugurated scheduled Officers’ Meetings
to discuss day-to-day matters and pass on recommendations to the Executive
Committee for approval as the Executive group had grown too large for
day-to-day matters.
We helped nurture the newly-formed Next Generation (NG) group, incorporated
to attract members under 45 years and helped establish NG Seed grants
for new young research
investigators.
A formal Membership Committee with the rank
of Officership was also set up and successfully implemented during this
period. |
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The most important contribution that we have ever made to STOP
CANCER was shepherding the group in its transition from a one-man
charity to a highly visible and successful organization with thousands
of supporters.
During our term, the First Weekend Classic and Classic Magazine
were introduced. The Classics have burgeoned into our major fundraiser.
Other innovations included the STOP CANCER Newsletter, the first
Educational Forum, the first two Research Career Development Awards
and
a successful Special Membership Drive featuring author Gail Sheehy. |
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