COLUMBUS, Ohio – Four individuals who have demonstrated unmatched support for patients with cancer during their treatment and recovery will receive the Champion Award as part of the annual Step Up for Stefanie’s Champions event, an honor bestowed annually by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).

The award program coincides with the annual Step Up for Stefanie’s Champions run/walk, a family-friendly community event that will take place from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. The event includes four-mile and one-mile routes that begin and conclude at the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, 1145 Olentangy River Road.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the OSUCCC – James. The fund has generated more than $22 million since its inception in 1998.

Pre-registration is encouraged and can be completed at go.osu.edu/stepup.

Champion Award Criteria, Nomination Process

Established in 2000 by former OSUCCC – James patient Stefanie Spielman and her husband, Chris Spielman, the Champion Award honors those whose dedication and strength were powerful influences in the lives of cancer survivors. The first Champion Award was given by Stefanie to Chris, who put his professional football career on hold to care for her throughout her experience with breast cancer.

Champions can be nominated by any cancer survivor, regardless of whether he or she received treatment at the OSUCCC – James. Honorees are selected by a national award committee made up of business/community leaders, patients and faculty at the OSUCCC – James.

2019 Champion Award Honorees

Lachandra Baker for helping her husband, Brian, remain grounded and supported throughout his treatment for an aggressive form of lymphoma. Brian says Lachandra gave him renewed energy to face the cancer head-on.

Patricia Carter for demonstrating strength and resilience during her personal experience with cancer that helped carry her daughter Ericka through her own cancer experience in adulthood.

James Johnson for caring not only for his wife, Carla, during her breast cancer treatment but also for taking on the caregiver role for his father-in-law, who suffered from severe dementia and needed supportive care at the same time.

John Snoad for going above and beyond to maintain a positive home environment and serving as a continuous advocate and emotional support for his wife, Sherri, during her experience with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Register for the 2019 Step Up for Stefanie run/walk or nominate a future champion at go.osu.edu/stepup.

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About the OSUCCC – James

The OSUCCC – James strives to create a cancer-free world by integrating scientific research with excellence in education and patient-centered care, a strategy that leads to better methods of prevention, detection and treatment. Ohio State is one of only 50 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and one of only a few centers funded by the NCI to conduct both phase I and phase II clinical trials on novel anticancer drugs sponsored by the NCI. As the cancer program’s 356-bed adult patient-care component, The James is one of the top cancer hospitals in the nation as ranked by U.S. News & World Report and has achieved Magnet® designation, the highest honor an organization can receive for quality patient care and professional nursing practice. At 21 floors and with more than 1.1 million square feet, The James is a transformational facility that fosters collaboration and integration of cancer research and clinical cancer care. For more information, visit cancer.osu.edu.

Media Contact:
Amanda J. Harper
OSUCCC – James Media Relations
614-685-5420
Amanda.Harper2@osumc.edu