Best of BCAN Awards

In 2016, BCAN held our first Bladder Cancer Summit in Rockville, Maryland with the goal of bringing together the bladder cancer community for a two-day conference to educate, engage, and energize patients and caregivers. One of the unexpected highlights of the first Summit was our “Best of BCAN Awards” which “recognizes volunteer excellence and commitment to the bladder cancer community.”

At the 2018 Summit in Houston: BCAN CEO Andrea Maddox-Smith recognizes three volunteers as “Best of  BCAN”

Jim Scott, one of our Survivor 2 Survivor volunteers, regularly represents BCAN as part of our BCAN Speakers’ Bureau to raise awareness, share his bladder cancer story, and promote BCAN resources. Most recently, Jim spoke to his local fire department, a group of professionals who are at higher risk of developing bladder cancer. Jim is a Walk organizer for our Detroit event. He brings BCAN materials to support groups in Michigan, participates in our advocacy-driven Hill Day, and represents the bladder cancer community as a patient reviewer on the 2019 Congressionally Mandated Department of Defense Research Program grants.

Bill Russell from Pittsburg has been involved with BCAN for nearly seven years. He’s active in BCAN’s online community (Inspire) and leads as a Team Captain for Pittsburg’s BCAN Walk for five years. Bill has obtained an official Proclamation from the mayor, declaring May as Bladder Cancer Awareness month in Pittsburg for four years, also naming the day of the Walk “BCAN Day” in Pittsburg. Bill is one of our Survivor 2 Survivor volunteers. He often speaks on behalf of BCAN at local events in his community through the Speaker’s Bureau. Bill is an active member of our PCORI Patient Empowerment through Engagement Research or (PEER) program. He also represents the bladder cancer community as a patient reviewer on the 2019 Congressionally Mandated Department of Defense Research Program grants.

Pam Harris from Houston was the 2018 Houston Volunteer Walk organizer, is a Survivor 2 Survivor volunteer, and a Patient Advocate for BCAN. As a first-year walk organizer in 2018, Pam found creative ways to encourage participation by visiting doctors’ offices with cakes,  laminating flyers, and serving queso at the Walk. As a result of Pam’s efforts, the bladder cancer community in Houston was one of the largest Walks in 2018 – measured by dollars raised and participation.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, BCAN staff, and everyone in the bladder cancer community, thank you to all of our “Best of BCAN Award” winners for 2018. Your gift of time and talent has raised awareness and research money for the bladder cancer community. We would not be able to achieve nearly as much without your help!