News Release

Sherry Lansing and Janet Woodcock receive AACR public service awards

Grant and Award Announcement

American Association for Cancer Research

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Each year at its Annual Meeting, the American Association for Cancer Research gives special recognition to distinguished individuals whose efforts and dedication have helped to increase awareness about the importance of cancer research.

The recipients of this year's Public Service Awards are Sherry Lansing, former Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Group Paramount Pictures; and Janet Woodcock, M.D., deputy commissioner for operations and chief operating officer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Their awards will be presented during a special ceremony chaired by AACR's president, Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.S.c.

Sherry Lansing began her career in Hollywood as a model and actress before becoming the first woman to run a major motion picture studio. During her tenure at Paramount, the studio released such major films as Forrest Gump and Saving Private Ryan. More recently, Lansing has turned her focus to philanthropy. Through her leadership as chairperson of the nonprofit advocacy and fundraising group, Stop Cancer, she has raised millions of dollars for cancer research, and is active on the Board of Friends of Cancer Research. In 2005, she was appointed to the Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee, which directs California's stem cell research program, and was elected to the Board of Trustees of the AACR Foundation. She also established the Sherry Lansing Foundation to concentrate on health, education, and cancer research.

Janet Woodcock, M.D., who has been with the FDA since 1986, is being recognized for her pivotal leadership role in streamlining and reorganizing the agency's oversight of cancer medicines through the creation of the new Office of Oncology Drug Products. She introduced the concept of pharmaceutical risk management in 2000 and her leadership of the "Pharmaceutical Quality for the 21st Century Initiative" has modernized pharmaceutical manufacturing and agency-industry interactions. Further, her skillful role in spearheading the FDA's "Critical Path Initiative" is being recognized for its potential in bringing outstanding science to the consideration of new cancer therapeutics, preventives, and diagnostics. Such work holds the promise of eliminating barriers, enhancing safety, and accelerating the delivery of these life-saving vehicles.

The awards ceremony will take place at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 2, 2006, in Hall D of the Washington Convention Center. Members of the media are welcome to attend.

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The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes more than 24,000 basic, translational, and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and more than 60 other countries. AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts over 16,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special Conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment, and patient care. AACR publishes five major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Its most recent publication, CR, is a magazine for cancer survivors, patient advocates, their families, physicians, and scientists. It provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship, and advocacy.

Contact: Angela DeCicco
215-440-9300 ext. 104
decicco@aacr.org


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