American Cancer Society presents 2001 distinguished service awards

American Cancer Society
Monday, 5 November 2001

Leaders in cancer control honored.

The American Cancer Society, the nation's leading voluntary health agency, presented its Distinguished Service Award to two leaders in the cancer community at its 2001 annual Board of Directors meeting. The award recognizes major achievements in the cancer field. The awards were presented by the Society's national volunteer president Dileep G. Bal, MD at a luncheon at the Hilton Anaheim Hotel in Anaheim, California.

Donald Coffey, PhD, is professor of oncology, pathology, pharmacology and molecular sciences and director of the Research Laboratories of the Urology Department at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. A recognized leader in prostate cancer research, Dr. Coffey has trained many young scientists in the prostate cancer field and urologic surgery. His laboratory has made significant contributions through discoveries of how the DNA of a cell is changed when cancer occurs and why that cell becomes resistant to treatment. Also discovered in his lab, was the first nuclear scaffolding system, or nuclear matrix, which organizes DNA replication within the nucleus of a cell.

Dr. Coffey is an active advocate for changing governmental attitudes toward research and has participated in the March on Washington and in the National Dialogue on Cancer. In 1999 he was awarded the Blue Ribbon Award from the National Coalition of Cancer Survivors for his advocacy work. He is president-elect of the National Coalition of Cancer Research.

Dr. Coffey was honored by the American Cancer Society "for his insightful contributions to the understanding of cancer through discoveries about the organization of DNA in the nuclear matrix, for his research into the properties of prostate cancer in pursuit of its cause; for his generous commitment to training young scientists and furthering their work in the cancer community; for his time spent as an advocate at the state and national level to change governmental attitudes toward research; and for his direct approach to science that continually yields new perspective."

Dr. Coffey and his wife Eula live in Baltimore. They have two daughters.

Irvin D. Fleming, MD is professor of surgical oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee College of Medicine and medical director of the Methodist Healthcare Cancer Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Fleming has been a volunteer for the American Cancer Society for more than 20 years and was the Society's National President in 1993-1994. Dr. Fleming has had over 130 publications in surgical oncology during his career.

Dr. Fleming's award reads: "for his dedication to the field of surgical oncology; for his commitment to advancing the knowledge and experience of surgical residents; for his work toward continued learning for the medical community and the public through the publishing of his work; for his longstanding devotion to the improvement of cancer control through early detection, prevention, and education; and for his leadership with the American Cancer Society at both the community and national level."

Dr. Fleming and his wife Anne live in Memphis. They have four children.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org