The Winship 80

The Winship 80 recognizes a broad range of people and organizations: scientists who mentor and inspire Winship leaders; philanthropists whose donations make groundbreaking research possible; community leaders who shine a light on the importance of cancer research and care in Georgia; patients and their family members who embody Winship's mission every time they tell their stories, volunteer their time, and offer unbounded compassion to all who face cancer.

This fall, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of Winship Cancer Institute. In 1937, Robert Woodruff, the president of Coca-Cola, lost his mother to cancer. He was determined that no one would have to leave the state of Georgia to receive the best cancer treatment. In her honor, he gave a generous gift to Emory University that helped create the Robert Winship Memorial Clinic, named for Woodruff's maternal grandfather.

Today, we are fulfilling Mr. Woodruff's mission by translating research discoveries into better cancer care and making the most advanced cancer care available right here in Georgia. Looking back over the past eight decades, we see evidence of our hard work in the number of patients we care for from throughout Georgia and beyond, in the complexity of cancers we tackle, in the scientific contributions we make on a truly global scale, and in our ongoing commitment to lessen the burden of cancer in the state of Georgia.

Meet Our Honorees

In honor of his mother who he lost to cancer, Robert Woodruff gave a generous gift to Emory University that helped create the Robert Winship Memorial Clinic.
Robert W. Woodruff: Founder

The Visionaries: Roy Barnes, fmr. Governor of Georgia; In 2001, Roy Barnes launched the Georgia Cancer Coalition, an organization that advanced cancer research at Winship and all across Georgia.

The Visionaries: Nancy Paris, Georgia CORE; Nancy Paris created the Georgia CORE to improve and support a stronger clinical trials network in the state.

The Visionaries: Michael Cassidy, Georgia Research Alliance; The Georgia Research Alliance has been an invaluable partner in Winship's bid to become an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The Glenn Family: Philanthropists; The Glenn Family Breast Center was established in 2013 through gifts from the Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation.

Julie Whitehead: Cancer Survivor and Volunteer; Julie Whitehead was inspired to volunteer for Winship Cancer Institute's Patient and Family Resource Center following her own cancer treatment 13 years ago.

Winship Advisory Board: "I'm not going to cure cancer but I do what I can to support the people who will." ~Leslie Wierman, chair of the Winship Advisory Board

Cassie Mitchell, PhD: Paralympian and Cancer Patient; As a biomedical engineer, a Paralympian, and cancer patient, Cassie Mitchell touches many lives at Winship and Emory.

Jim and Sarah Kennedy: Philanthropists; Acting on life-long commitments to improve the community, Sarah and Jim Kennedy have been transformative forces at Emory University.

The Rollins Family: Philanthropists; The O. Wayne Rollins Foundation has provided unprecedented support to Winship Cancer Institute and other Emory institutions.

Dave Edwards: Cancer Patient and Winship 5K Supporter; Twelve years after his initial diagnosis his family, and his friends have become a vital part of the annual Winship 5K, running under the banner of Team Dave.

Tom Reynolds: Advocate, Cancer Patient, Philanthropist.; With his children, Tom Reynolds established the Patricia R. Reynolds Endowment for Sarcoma Research in her memory and remained steadfast in support for this rarer form of cancer.

Brenda Nease: Volunteer, Cancer Survivor and Philanthropist; Brenda Nease has been a volunteer, philanthropist, and friend to many at Winship over the past 10 years.

Ivory Cloud: Patient Advocate and Volunteer; Ivory Cloud coordinates events for children with cancer, and advocates for young women to get preventative care if their mothers died of breast cancer.

Friends of Winship: More than 330 men and women make up the Friends of Winship, a network of Winship supporters, ambassadors, and volunteers.

Lory Macrate and Ed Steinman: Winship Advocates; Ed Steinman is passionate about spreading the word about Winship after his wife's treatment here for myeloma.

Mary and John Brock: Philanthropists; John Brock established the Anise McDaniel Brock Chair in Cancer Innovation at Winship in honor of his mother.

Kathelen and Dan Amos: Philanthropists; More than 20 years ago Kathelen and Dan Amos initiated the Aflac Foundation's groundbreaking charitable contribution in support of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.

Kenneth Anderson, MD: Hematology Mentor; An international leader in the field of myeloma, Dr. Anderson was influential in the expansion of the multiple myeloma program at Winship.

Chandra Belani, MD: Oncology Mentor; Dr. Chandra Belani provided guidance to Winship leadership in building a world class lung cancer program here.

Joyce Wilson: Transplant Patient; Joyce Wilson is one of the first patients to receive a bone marrow transplant at Winship's Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Center.

Jeffrey Abrams, MD: Clinical Researcher; Dr. Jeffrey Abrams was pivotal in creating the National Cancer Institute's National Clinical Trials Network which includes Winship Cancer Institute.

Mark and Kate Winne: Winship 5K Supporters; Mark Winne earned a reputation over the years as a tough investigative reporter, but when he grabs the microphone every year as emcee of the Winship 5K, he's all heart.

Simon Kramer, MD: Oncology Pioneer; Dr. Simon Kramer established a national infrastructure for cancer research which remains foundational to this day.

Eric Berry: Pro Football Player and Cancer Survivor; Treated at Winship for Hodgkin lymphoma, pro football player Eric Berry returned to playing shortly after treatment and finished the season back in the limelight.

T.J. Martell Foundation: Philanthropy; Started in 1975, the T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research is the music industry's leading cancer research funding organization.

Waun Ki Hong, MD: Head and Neck Cancer Pioneer; Dr. Waun Ki Hong is a founding member of Winship's External Advisory Board which counsels and guides Winship's leadership team.

Bill Nelson, MD: Winship Advisor; Bill Nelson, MD has had a unique role in shaping Winship's future as chair of our External Advisory Board for over a decade.

Nancy Carriker: Cancer Patient; Nancy Carriker isn't just a grateful patient. She is an inspiration to others with lung cancer.

John Schuerholz: Cancer Survivor and Winship 5K Supporter; Atlanta Braves Vice Chairman John Schuerholz inspired the more than 3,000 participants at the 2016 Winship 5K not just as honorary grand marshal, but as a cancer survivor.

Beth Jordan: Cancer Patient and Philanthropist; In the midst of her treatment for glioblastoma, Beth Jordan became a champion for brain tumor research with a passionate focus on ensuring the most advanced brain tumor care for Georgians.

Clifford Hudis, MD: Oncology Leader; Dr. Clifford Hudis is credited with helping ASCO develop some of its boldest initiatives involving scientific research, emerging technologies, and current health policy issues.

Ouida Lanier: Volunteer; Every Tuesday Ouida Lanier volunteers at Winship greeting patients and caregivers with a friendly and reassuring smile.

Fmr. President Jimmy Carter: Cancer Patient and Advocate; The open and candid way in which Jimmy Carter shared his experiences brought public attention to the progress being made in cancer treatment and to the contributions made by Winship in that effort.

Ed and Linda Levitt: Winship Volunteers and Advocates; Ed Levitt credits his medical team of doctors and nurses with helping him survive lung cancer and as a result became a strong patient advocate along his wife, Linda.

Gary Reedy: Cancer Non-Profit Leader; Since becoming CEO of the American Cancer Society in 2015, Gary Reedy has made research the organization's top mission investment, committing to double its annual research funding by 2021.

Alvin Goldstein: Volunteer; Alvin Goldstein has logged over 1,200 volunteer hours staffing the plaza level concierge desk and taking the hospitality cart to the infusion center and patient waiting rooms at Winship.

Gerald Hanks, MD: Radiation Oncology Pioneer; A world-renowned expert, Dr. Gerald Hanks pioneered new therapeutic treatments for patients with prostate cancer and helped shape guidelines and standards of care.

Nell Warren Elkin and William Simpson Elkin Foundation: Philanthropy; The William Simpson Elkin Cancer Lectureship Endowment, established in 1979, is one of two ways that the Nell Warren Elkin and William Simpson Elkin Foundation has made an impact on Winship.

Charles and Bari Ross: Cancer Survivors and Volunteers; After being diagnosed with cancer, Charles and Bari Ross are in remission years later and giving back to Winship as volunteers.

Tom Roberts, PhD: Cancer Researcher and Advisor; Dr. Tom Roberts was a key adviser to Winship leaders during all three grant applications for NCI designation.

Cooper Family Foundation: Philanthropy; Identifying, preventing, and treating long-term side effects of breast cancer and its therapies are top priorities for specialists at Winship Cancer Institute thanks to a gift from the Cooper Family Foundation.

Monica Pearson: Cancer Survivor and Volunteer; After being treated for cancer at Winship, Monica Pearson served as emcee of the annual Friends of Winship fashion show.

Jim Armitage, MD: Oncology Mentor; A world-renowned lymphoma expert Jim Armitage, MD, has been a mentor and friend to many of the hematologists specializing in lymphomas at Winship Cancer Institute.

Pat Graves: Volunteer; Treated for breast cancer at Winship more than four decades ago, Pat Graves wanted to give back and became a volunteer.

Mayor Kasim Reed: Advocate; Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has been a keen supporter of the Emory Proton Therapy Center dating back to the early days when the project was first conceived.

Charles Balch, MD and Murray Brennan, MD: Surgical Oncology Mentors; Winship surgical oncologists have more than the operating room in common. It turns out that the majority of the dozen-member team was trained by two mentors: Charles Balch, MD and Murray Brennan, MD.

John Haupert: Health Care Leader; John Haupert leads Grady Memorial Hospital which has a unique partnership with Emory University and Winship Cancer Institute.

Sabrina Williams: Philanthropist; The Sabrina Williams Scholarship for Continuing Nursing Education honors the dedicated oncology nurses that cared for lymphoma patient Tommy Williams.

U.S. Representative John Lewis: Advocate; In 2016, Congressman John Lewis announced the awarding of more than $115 million in new federal grants to institutions in his district, including a dozen Emory projects.

Bobby and Dell Rearden: Volunteers and Advocates; The Robert L. "Bobby" Rearden Spirit of Winship Award was launched to recognize those who demonstrate exemplary service, teamwork, and a commitment to public good.

Katie Ferraris Taylor: Cancer Patient and Philanthropist; The Katie Ferraris Taylor Oncology Nursing Fund has helped more than 30 nurses at Winship continue their education in the oncology field.

Vince and Barbara Dooley: Advocates and Volunteers; Cancer survivors Vince and Barbara Dooley are long-time supporters of Winship having served on the advisory board and as Grand Marshals of the Winship Win the Fight 5K twice.

Robert DuWors: Advisor; Robert DuWors has had a significant impact on Winship's quest to become a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Roland Matthews, MD: Oncology Leader; Roland Matthews, MD, is a Morehouse School of Medicine faculty member who is making a difference in helping to lessen the cancer burden in Georgia.

Lynne and Howard Halpern: Philanthropists; Cancer survivor Howard Halpern and his wife, Lynne, have become champions of philanthropy in the community and have thrown their support behind Winship.

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson: Advocate; Senator Johnny Isakson has always demonstrated a commitment to unlocking cures and treatments for diseases like cancer.

Robert Comis, MD: Oncology Pioneer; A friend and mentor to many at Winship, Dr. Robert Comis headed up one of the leading clinical trials groups in the world.

Dunwoody Country Club: Philanthropists; The John H. Kauffman Prostate Cancer Fundraiser hosted annually by the Dunwoody Country Club's Champions Golf Association is a community tournament that raises money for innovative prostate cancer research projects at Winship.

Sherry Williams: Cancer Survivor; Sherry B. Williams is a four-time breast cancer survivor and a positive voice for those who are undergoing cancer treatment at Winship.

Governor Nathan Deal: Advocate; Governor Nathan Deal has been a champion of cancer care in his two terms in office, signing into law numerous measures that seek to increase access to cancer care.

Cheryl Willman, MD: Advisor; Dr. Cheryl Willman provided important advice and guidance as Winship was going through its National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center application process.

Roberto C. Goizueta: Philanthropist; Inaugurated in 2007, the Roberto C. Goizueta Chair for Cancer Research was established to support a key leader in Winship's lung cancer program.

Paul Bunn, MD: Mentor; Dr. Paul Bunn is one of the most influential leaders in the international lung cancer scientific community.

Cabral Franklin: Cancer Patient and Advocate; The Cabral H. Franklin Endowed Lung Cancer Research Fund at Winship is dedicated to advancing treatments and making a difference for those faced with a lung cancer diagnosis.

Bill Maiola: Cancer Patient and Philanthropist; The Maiola Family Fund for Lung Cancer Research at Winship Cancer Institute was established in 2013 by Bill and Grace Maiola.

Michelle Le Beau, PhD: Advisor; As a member of Winship's External Advisory Board, Dr. Le Beau helped guide Winship leadership during the application process for NCI designation.

Earle Blomeyer: Philanthropist; Throughout the years, Earle Blomeyer has been a generous benefactor of Emory University and Winship Cancer Institute.

Philip Philip, MD, PhD: Mentor; Dr. Philip Philip helped shape the career of Winship's Gastrointestinal (GI) Oncology Program Director, Dr. Bassel El-Rayes.

Fmr. Ambassador Andrew Young: Cancer Survivor and Advocate; A prostate cancer survivor, Andrew Young has been a champion for Winship and has supported its National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Support Grant application.

Mike Dangerfield: Philanthropist; Great service from Winship personally touched Mike Dangerfield's family in 2006, when his brother was treated successfully for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

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