A Message from the Co-Presidents,
Wendy and Bruce Smiley

We are again honored to receive your vote of confidence by electing us your Co-Presidents for 2010.The challenges that this recessive economy bestowed upon us last year still continue but we are ready to face them head on with our membership’s continued support. And…with the added corroboration of our Board, extraordinary efforts of the First Vice Presidents, Tracy and Greg Forester, the Committee Vice Presidents and our Office Staff, we promise to work with everyone to ensure that our organization’s goals are met.

A year of many exciting events is being planned, such as our Annual Weekend Classic at The Grand Del Mar in San Diego, a musical “101 Dalmatians” matinee engagement, an Interactive Book Review. In addition, our 2010 Membership Event, Los Angeles’ first preview performance of the hit Tony Award-Winning Musical, “In the Heights” will take place on June 22 at the Pantages Theatre and promises to be a great evening.

We, along with our Committee Vice Presidents, are working on several other fundraising activities that we hope will inspire new members to joIn STOP CANCER.

Again, our gratitude goes to our members and supporters for their dedication, without which we would never be able to fulfill our Mission of Finding a Cure for Cancer in Our Lifetime.

We reflect with pride on the 20th Anniversary of STOP CANCER and are honored to have served as Co-Presidents. During 2008, STOP CANCER's 20th Anniversary year, we were able to distribute a total of 12 Research Career Awards, Seed Grants and Research Advancement Grants to further our mission “To Cure Cancer in Our Lifetime.”

STOP CANCER has had tremendous progress during our tenure and has grown to an impressive group of close to 600 members. Our members have enjoyed three fabulously successful Weekend Classic events as well as record turnouts at other events such as the Annual Awards Dinner and the Membership Drive theatre events.

We would like to add a word about the invaluable assistance rendered by our Staff: Executive Director Ron Wise, Maria Baseleon, Toni Sergio, Joyce Gadiot and Florence Ajamian. They are are a knowledgeable, industrious and dedicated professional team who made our job a lost easier, while helping the organization grow and prosper. Thank you, Ron and Staff! We are looking forward to the future of STOP CANCER with great optimism!

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 CANCER 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.

Marilyn & Bob Buckley
Presidential Term 2001 - 2002

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.

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.

Enid & Shelly Goldman
Presidential Term 1998 - 1999

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.

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.

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.

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.