State of the Art Treatments
for Early Stage and Relapsed Prostate Cancer
Sheraton Gateway - Los Angeles Airport
California, USA
September 6-7, 2008

BILL BLAIR:
Introduced by Dr. Lisa Chaiken, Cancer Care Consultants

Our first award recipient this evening is BILL BLAIR, who served as a cancer researcher for more than thirty years.  He taught medical students, and also passed his knowledge to thousands of cancer survivors, often on the phone, one-at-a-time.  Many times, because of his extensive research knowledge, doctors would seek Bill's advice or recommend their patients to consult him.  And Bill would counsel all who called, for as long as it took.

Bill, as was Harry, is one of the most knowledgeable and sought-after patient advocates in the country - called upon by numerous committee members of The Department of Defense, NIH, Us TOO, CARA and many others.  In the SPORE program he was the national chairman of their Patient Advocates.  

Bill’s ability to find the positive value in every one of life's experiences has greatly advanced the thinking and insights of all who turned to him.  He enlarges our perspective on our prostate cancer, not with just his medical knowledge, but with his rich sense of history and his appreciation of culture, faith and community.

We all know there are many dimensions to healing, and the human and loving-kindness side has an enormous positive influence on wellness. Patients often talk about Bill they same way they did of Harry – that with their help, patients were able to make decisions that significantly affected their longevity and quality of life. Bill is also noted by many as a dear friend and a “soul mate.” I know Harry would be proud to have Bill receive this award.

If there were an Olympic medal (like the Harry Pinchot award) for prostate cancer knowledge, teaching, compassion, leadership and survival, Bill Blair deserves the gold medal.

PETER DOHERTY
Dr. Arthur N. Lurvey, Medical Director, United Government Services, LLC

Our second award recipient, PETER DOHERTY, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1991.  While undergoing treatment, Peter realized that people battling this disease needed a message of hope.  While driving to a meeting at the National Cancer Institute, Peter saw many cars passing him with specialty license plates supporting many different causes, but none to help fight cancer.  So, he conceived a new license plate directed at cancer.

He developed the theme, got $50,000 in corporate funding, and after many steps, in 1998, New Jersey's, “Conquer Cancer” plate was born.  To date, the plate has raised over $4,000,000, which is awarded as competitive grants and fellowships to New Jersey researchers at non-profit institutions through the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research.

Like Harry Pinchot, Peter is one of those unique individuals whose dedication, leadership and talent have made a difference to thousands of people.  He helped create one of the largest prostate cancer support groups in the country at Morristown Memorial Hospital, (which named their men's cancer clinic after him) and has done more to foster cancer research in New Jersey than almost any other individual.

In 1998 he was given the New Jersey Governor's Volunteer Award for his tireless effort, “to educate others about the disease and to create an emotional support network.”

All of this pales in comparison to his untiring work with men and their families in their battle against prostate cancer.

Most importantly however, are the hundreds of men and their loved ones to whom Peter has offered his time and support.

Peter is now in his eighties.  He walks and talks a little slower but is still there for men and their families.

On any given day he is on the phone helping men throughout the United States in the fight against this disease.

Peter Doherty's efforts have reached so many people – and he serves as one of the most dedicated to the welfare of prostate cancer patients.  In this field, we need more Peter Dohertys.

RALPH VALLE
Introduced by Tom Kirk, President and CEO, Us TOO

Our final award recipient this evening is RALPH VALLE, who graduated from LSU with a degree in chemistry.  Dedication to research is his hallmark.  

Ralph is a fixture at the medical library at St. Joseph's Hospital.  He spends an enormous amount of time reading and evaluating medical publications relating to prostate cancer, and more importantly, puts research into perspective and laymen's terms and shares it with other survivors. Ralph is always available by phone or e-mail to discuss any person's situation. He does searches for individuals for clinical trials for which that person may be eligible.

Ralph has accompanied emotionally distraught survivors to treatment centers and guided them through the options.  He is not an advocate of any one treatment but provides the pros and cons of all the options.  And his information is always based on a sound understanding of the literature and awareness of new approaches that are being considered.

Ralph is a founding member of the Arizona Prostate Cancer Task Force established by the Arizona legislature in1999 and is still an active member.  He has served on US Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Review Boards, Us TOO Minority Program sponsored by the CDC, and is active in The American Cancer Society, “Man to Man,” program, and has represented Us TOO as a consumer reviewer at two State of California Genito-urinary Research Review Boards.

Ralph is a truly amazing man, who is committed to helping prostate cancer survivors and promoting prostate cancer awareness, and I am pleased to present him with the 2008 Harry Pinchot Award -