Expect Miracles Awards
Awards Gala 2013
2011 Expect Miracles Awards Announces Winners at Institutional Investor Gala
As "Charity of Choice" for the fifth year in a row, Expect Miracles Foundation (formerly Mutual Funds Against Cancer) was proud to announce the winners of the 2011 Expect Miracles Awards, sponsored by American Century Investments, on April 7, 2011 at Institutional Investor's 18th Annual Mutual Funds Award Gala at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City. The Expect Miracles Awards recognize individuals and firms within the financial community for their outstanding support, commitment, and dedication to the fight against cancer.
Photo Credit: JeffreyHolmes.com
The night was filled with excitement as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for American Century Investments, Mark Killen announced the corporate awards that included The Corporate Commitment Award, received by, Eaton Vance Corp, and the Company for a Cure Award, received by The Hass Group at Merrill Lynch .
The individual awards were presented by Christina E. Thirkell, Executive Director of Expect Miracles Foundation. The Miracle Maker Leadership Award recognizes an individual at an executive or board level who has demonstrated long-standing personal leadership in cancer advocacy. J. Robert Jones of Bluff Point Associates was given this honor for founding Golfers Against Cancer, which has raised over $20 million dollars to-date and funded over 200 cancer research projects since inception. Louise Santosuosso of John Hancock Financial Services received the Inspiration Contributor Award, which recognizes an individual whose personal efforts helped to ensure the success of a cancer-related project, event, or fundraising initiative. As co-captain of the John Hancock Pan Mass Challenge Team and a participant in the race for seven consecutive years, Louise spear headed the fundraising efforts of the team's 26 members and ranked in the top 100 fundraisers out of 5,000 in 2010.
"Our Foundation was not only proud to partner with American Century Investments for the 2011 Expect Miracles Awards," stated Christina E. Thirkell "but honored to recognize and celebrate both winners and nominees for their inspirational achievements and the impact they made on their peers, the financial community, and most importantly the war against cancer."
MIRACLE MAKER LEADERSHIP AWARD
Recognizes an individual at an executive or board level who has demonstrated long-standing personal leadership in cancer advocacy.
John Bradburn, GCA Savvian
For the past 6 years, John Bradburn has been an active member of Camp Kesem, which provides free summer camp experiences to children whose parents have or have had cancer. The program is unique, in that it is operated, organized and run by college student leaders throughout the country. These student leaders work in a year-long capacity to develop a free, week-long sleepaway camp for children whose emotional needs are often unmet. John was first introduced to Camp Kesem at Indiana University, where he served in various leadership positions. After having tremendous impact as a college student, he continued to stay involved with Camp Kesem after his graduate work and has served on the National Board of Directors as Treasurer for the past 2 years. In his role as Treasurer, John gives selflessly of his time handling all financial oversight for the organization. While the Executive Director position was vacant, Mr. Bradburn stepped in and played a very operational role with regard to the finances of the organization. John is an active Camp Kesem alumnuae, supporting students across the country. He recently attended the Camp's National Leadership Conference in Georgia, where he represented the Board members, and helped provide guidance, counseling and mentoring to the Camp's current student leaders.
J. Robert Jones, Jr., Bluff Point Associates, WINNER
After two of J. Robert Jones' friends at the Deerwood Club in Texas were diagnosed with cancer, Mr. Jones and his fellow golf friends sprang into action and started Golfers Against Cancer (GAC), a charity dedicated to raising funds for cancer research to honor their friends battling the disease. Shortly after its' founding, GAC raised over $80,000 at the inaugural tournament in 1997 and only 5 years later, they broke the $1 million barrier. In subsequent years, millions more have been raised, bringing the total to over $20 million this year. All the funds raised by GAC's events bypass administrative expenses and go directly to fund cancer research projects, which include over 200 research projects since its inception. As chairman and founder of GAC, Mr. Jones' tireless enthusiasm and energy to raise funds for cancer research have resulted in sold-out charity dinners, galas, and golf tournaments across the country, as well as celebrity and corporate sponsorships.
Mike Allison, Eaton Vance
Mike Allison founded The Spirit of the American Cowboy Foundation in 2006. The Foundation raises money for pediatric cancer research and to date has raised $102,000 for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund. Of this, $30,000 was raised in 2010 alone, making it the most successful year to date. The Foundation's signature fundraising event is the New England Wild West Fest presented by Eaton Vance and State Street Corporation. This unique event attracts over 6,000 spectators and 200 professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls from across the country. The Wild West Fest showcases the sport of rodeo and other aspects of the western lifestyle. The Foundation's mission builds upon the belief that the sports of rodeo and bull riding reach their highest calling when put forth in the name of a charitable cause. "The true cowboy spirit is about being brave enough to face a foe that is much greater than any man. It's about being courageous enough to fight through the physical pain that comes with facing that foe time after time. It's about having the strength of mind and spirit to never quit, to never give up, no matter how difficult the struggle or bleak the odds." This is how the cowboy spirit is related to the fight against childhood cancer. The original inspiration for the work of the Foundation was inspired by the courageous and successful battle being fought against neuroblastoma by the son of a friend and former colleague.
Danielle Gilbert-Richard, Merrill Lynch
Danielle Gilbert-Richard's inspiration for raising funds and awareness for early detection of ovarian cancer goes back to 2008 when she and Mary Haas attended Merrill Lynch's Managed Solutions Conference with keynote speaker, Lance Armstrong. The event coincided with Mary's final cycle of chemotherapy and she was in remission. Danielle was the only one who knew that Mary was battling cancer. After Lance gave his inspirational remarks, Mary said "this makes me want to tell my story." Tragically, the cancer came back and she did not have the opportunity to do so. Danielle is telling Mary's story for her now with the establishment of the Mary Haas Foundation. Along with other officers, Danielle has successfully hosted two fundraiser dinners and a benefit bike ride over the past two years, thus having raised over $225k. Danielle has personally dedicated her own time, resources, and a portion of her business on an annual basis to the Foundation. Among their many activities, the Foundation is working with the Vermont medical community to establish a statewide grassroots ovarian cancer early detection program, funding a Research Fellow at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and advocating the Vermont State Legislature to require insurance companies to cover genetic testing for women at high risk.
INSPIRATIONAL CONTRIBUTOR AWARD
Recognizes an individual whose personal efforts helped to ensure the success of a cancer-related project, event, or fundraising initiative in 2010.
Brendan Krebs, Merrill Lynch
Brendan Krebs was instrumental in the success of the past two Annual Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Fundraiser & Dinners, by using his influence and resources to attract others from within the financial industry to attend and support the cause. As a Foundation Board member, for the past two years, Brendan helped secure financial support from Merrill Lynch for each of the annual dinners and has recruited a table of new attendees each year, thereby helping expand the Foundation's support base as well as raise more awareness of the disease. For the 2010 dinner, Brendan played a key role in securing Lance Armstrong as a keynote speaker, which launched the Foundation to new heights and help attract publicity to the work of the Mary Haas Foundation and its mission. Brendan has used his position at Merrill Lynch to promote Mary Haas Foundation events and news within the firm, including the promotion of the Ride to Break the Silence, a bike ride held in Vermont in September 2010 and the Foundation's FirstAnnual Corporate Ski Challenge.
Jason Rose, RBC
In 2007, following the untimely death of his mother, Jason Rose co-founded the Twin Cities Walk to Live and Breathe – an annual event designed to raise awareness and money for lung cancer research in collaboration with the LUNGevity Foundation. In only three years, the walk has raised over $125,000. Additionally, the walk has increased awareness of lung cancer through its recruitment of over 600 participants and procurement of strategic partnerships. Since joining RBC Wealth Management, Jason has made efforts to increase his involvement in the local community and not only has he dedicated his time and personal financial resources, but has also encouraged close coworkers and other local RBC employees to become involved in local charities as well.
Louise Santosuosso, John Hancock Financial Services, WINNER
As co-captain of the John Hancock Pan Mass Challenge Team, Louise Santosuosso spear headed the fundraising efforts of the team's 26 members and raised more than $141,000 for the Dana-Farber's Jimmy Fund. This brought the John Hancock PMC team's grand total in fundraising over the 7 years Louise has been involved to more than three quarters of a million dollars. Louise began riding in the Pan Mass Challenge in 2004 as a physical challenge as well as an avenue to help others. However the following year, her ride became more personal when she lost her mother-in-law to cancer and then her father in 2009. Dedicating her 2010 to her hero, her father, she ranked among the top 100 fundraisers out of 5,000 participants, by smashing her personal fundraising goal, and raising more than $28,000. 2010 marked Louise's seventh Pan Mass and brought her cumulative personal fundraising efforts to more than $120,000, earning her a PMC Lifetime Fundraising Award. Despite the challenging economic environment, Louise continues to refuse to lower her aggressive fundraising goals. In 2010, after making a compelling case to management to support the Pan Mass Challenge as a corporate sponsor, Louise was proud to bring John Hancock on as the newest sponsor of the Pan Mass Challenge.
Dorota Szwaja, Merrill Lynch
Dorota Szwaja has donated a significant amount of her time and efforts toward the development and promotion of the Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Foundation. Since the Foundation's inception in 2009, Dorota has spent countless hours helping plan and organize awareness and fundraising events for early detection of ovarian cancer and coordinating the administrative work that is critically important to the operations. In 2010 alone, Dorota was instrumental in the organizing and implementation of the Second Annual Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Fundraiser & Awareness Dinner, an event which raised more than $100,000. Dorota worked with her colleague to manage the guest list, send out the invitations, solicit auction items, organize and set up the venue and do all the necessary ground work to make this event a reality. Also in 2010, Dorota played a key role in the launch of the Inaugural Ride to Break the Silence, a bike ride which raised $10,000.
Matt Witkos, Eaton Vance
After attending the Inaugural Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Fundraiser and Awareness Dinner in 2009, Matt Witkos was inspired to organize a ski event to benefit the organization's fight against cancer. Matt had the vision and was able to motivate members of his firm to help organize the event. After much planning, and recruiting, the First Annual Ski Challenge at Sugarbush Resort in Vermont took place on March 11, 2011. Matt secured an impressive line up of 18 corporate sponsors who competed in the event. Matthas gone above and beyond to use his influence to raise awareness and funds for early detection of ovarian cancer, and has been the backbone for Eaton Vance's support for the work of the Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Foundation. In addition, when Matt cannot show up to an event organized by the Foundation, he will send members of Eaton Vance to show support and help raise money for the cause. Matt is the only member of the board of the Foundation who did not personally know, Mary Haas, of whom the Foundation is named in memory.
Sara Yerkey, Management Practice, Inc.
Sara Yerkey led the vision for the Inaugural Denver Wine Event for the Expect Miracles Foundation in 2010. Sara spear-headed all the event coordination for this event including securing a donated venue, wine and champagne vendors, maintaining the event budget, and tending to many detail, which even included handmaking event gifts. Although the initial goal of the event had a focus on expanding the financial community's awareness and exposure to Expect Miracles Foundation, of which is succeeded, the event also raised more than estimated $8,000 largely in part to Sara's dedication.
CORPORATE COMMITMENT AWARD
Recognizes a firm that has demonstrated an organizational commitment to the fight against cancer.
Waddell & Reed and Ivy Funds
For over a decade, Waddell & Reed and Ivy Funds have been involved in supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in its battle against blood cancers. The firm sponsors the Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon, which is considered one of the country's fastest growing marathons. As beneficiaries, the LLS Mid-America Chapter and Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics have received more than $480,000 as part of the marathon to date. In addition, teams of co-workers, family members, and friends also come together every year to raise funds for the annual LLS Light the Night Walk in communities across the country. In 2010, the firm's Kansas City headquarters stepped it up a notch, collectively raising more than $101,000, bringing the total the firm has raised across the 9 years participating in the walk to $427,000. In surpassing the $100,000 fundraising level in 2010, Waddell & Reed and Ivy Funds became the first organization in the LLS Mid-American Chapter's territory to earn the privilege of formally naming a research initiative (only 19 other companies in the country have ever attained such standing). In accepting the honor, the firm chose the name "The Waddell & Reed, Jonathan and Ava Research Initiative," in honor of the children of two employees who have battled leukemia.
The Haas Group and Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management
The Haas Group and Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management developed the Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Foundation, which was started in memory of longtime Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor, Mary Haas. Since the Foundation's inception, Merrill Lynch has donated internal resources and in 2009 contributed funds to the Inaugural Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Foundation Fundraiser & Dinner, which raised more than $100,000. The following year, Merrill Lynch was given an opportunity to have Lance Armstrong speak at an annual Wealth Management meeting for the top 400 advisors. Instead of sending him there, Merrill Lynch felt that Lance could make a bigger impact in cancer awareness by sending him to the Second Annual Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Foundation Fundraiser and Dinner. Merrill Lynch's Senior executives have given freely of their own time and influence to support this cause and with Merrill Lynch's support, the Foundation has grown from a donor advised fund to a registered 501(c)(3) with 10 high profile board members – three of which are Merrill Lynch employees. The Foundation is funding an early detection program that will be the first of its kind in the world once it's launched. Roughly 15,000 U.S. women die from ovarian cancer every year, and are usually diagnosed by stage 3 or stage 4. Whereas patients caught at stage 1 or 2 have a 90 percent chance of survival.
Eaton Vance, WINNER
Eaton Vance is actively engaged in the fight to eradicate cancer and continues to dedicate time and resources to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in addition to other cancer care and research organizations. Through Eaton Vance's corporate contributions, employee giving, and company matching gift program, Eaton Vance has given over a million dollars to cancer related charities since 2006. In 2011, Eaton Vance was the lead organizer and host for the Inaugural Mary Haas Charity Ski Challenge, which was sponsored by 18 mutual fund firms. Eaton Vance has also annually hosted and supported Dana-Farber events including: Young Professionals/Doctors Networking Reception, Premier Sponsorship of annual Golf Tournament, Team Eaton Vance at the Jimmy Fund Walk, Pan-Mass Bike Challenge, Women's Cancer Breakfasts, and Expect Miracles Foundation Silver Sponsor. Eaton Vance Senior Management has also participated in the Dana Farber Leadership Council since its inception, and is represented on the Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Foundation's Board.
COMPANY FOR A CURE AWARD
Recognizes a firm for an innovative initiative or event in 2010 that helped to further cancer awareness, raise funds, and fund cancer-related programs.
The Haas Group and Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management, WINNER