American Cancer Society names Medal of Honor recipients
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American Cancer Society presented its Medal of Honor to three individuals.
The Medal of Honor — the society’s most prestigious award — recognizes contributions to basic research, cancer control, clinical research or philanthropy.
This year’s recipients —Lewis C. Cantley, PhD; Leslie Bernstein, PhD, MS; and Ching-Hon Pui, MD — will be honored at a ceremony on Nov. 11 in New York.
“We are privileged to honor these leaders in the cancer community for their significant lifetime achievements to save lives from cancer,” Gary M. Reedy, the society’s CEO, said in a press release. “We acknowledge these individuals with our highest honor for their extraordinary contributions and dedication to fighting cancer.”
Cantley, professor of cancer biology and director of Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine, received the Medal of Honor for Basic Research. Cantley’s research has contributed to the understanding of cancer metabolism, particularly through the discovery and study of the PI3 kinase.
Bernstein, professor in the division of biomarkers of early detection and prevention at City of Hope, received the Medal of Honor in Cancer Control. She played a key role in identifying physical activity as a way to reduce breast cancer risk.
Pui, chair of the oncology department and co-leader of the hematologic malignancies program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, received the Medal of Honor in Clinical Research. Pui’s work has helped improve survival among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and also improved survivors’ quality of life by eliminating cranial irradiation.