SA Cancer Council celebrates 36 years of supporting Mays Cancer Center
Mays Cancer Center Annual Report
With more than 400 current members, the SA Cancer Council is a non-profit all-volunteer organization which was founded in 1984. The Council’s mission is to support the Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, in the fight against cancer by providing financial and volunteer resources for cancer research, treatment, education, community outreach and patient assistance.
Every spring, the SA Cancer Council holds its Spring Luncheon which provides our community the opportunity to hear personal and inspiring stories of cancer survival and breakthroughs in cancer research. The 2019 luncheon featured The University of Texas System Chancellor James B. Milliken and his wife, Nana Smith. They shared their moving story about Chancellor Milliken’s cancer journey and survivorship and their hopes for the future.
Every fall, the Council conducts its Cure Cancer Card fundraiser (formerly known as the Partners Shopping Card). The Card is sold for a $50 donation and entitles the purchaser to a 20 percent discount at hundreds of area retailers and restaurants; 100 percent of card sales supports patients and cancer research at the Mays Cancer Center.
If you are interested, please join the SA Cancer Council by visiting SACancerCouncil.org or calling (210) 450-5571 and join the fight against cancer. Together we will continue to make a profound impact in our community.
We are deeply grateful to the SA Cancer Council for its steadfast dedication and hard work. Because of its tireless efforts, the Council has donated more than $5 million to the Mays Cancer Center over the past 36 years to support the following important programs:
- $1,000,000 to establish the SA Cancer Council Distinguished Chair in Oncology endowment
- $1,000,000 to name the SA Cancer Council Radiation Therapy Suite
- $1,088,000 to support cancer patients in need through the Patient Supportive Care Program
- $750,000 to establish the SA Cancer Council Breast Cancer Patient Education Suite
- $542,000 to support breakthroughs in cancer research and drug development
- $375,000 to support innovative pilot cancer research projects (15 projects funded to date)
- $178,000 to support the Patient Transportation Program (including purchasing two new vans and providing valet service for patients)
- $250,000 to support the Grossman Building Capital Campaign
Current SA Cancer Council Board of Trustees
Cheryl Wright – President
Mary E. Downey – President-Elect
Patricia Akkola – Assistant Chair, Grants
Geraldine Merola Barton, Ph.D. – Assistant Chair, Patient & Family Services
Kristin L. Beno – Spring Luncheon Comm.
Linda Ellsworth Bookout – Assistant Chair, Membership
Holli Brunsman – Secretary
Karen Cannon – Chair, Cure Cancer Card
Sherry Christofilis – Cure Cancer Card Comm.
Beth Coyle – Chair, Marketing
Mary Beth Eckert – Vice President, Marketing, Communications, & Technology
Clara Ernst – Chair, Membership
Anne Foster – Cure Cancer Card Comm.
Judy Gilby – Chair, Spring Luncheon
Lisa Grove – Vice President, Development Operations
Laura Holland – Assistant Chair, Spring Luncheon
Beverly Koehn – Immediate Past President
Pat Krueger – Chair, Volunteers
Debby Long-Shirley – Assistant Chair, Cure Cancer Card
Karri Lusk – Chair, Social Media
Pamela Nelson – Chair, Book & Author Luncheon
Sheri Ortiz – Chair, Circles of Hope
Ginny Peacock – Chair, Patient & Family Services
Linda M. Riedel – Cure Cancer Card Comm.
Cathy Ritter – Membership Comm.
Caroline Rose – Membership Comm.
Libby Ross – Cure Cancer Card Comm.
Lauren Sanditen – Cure Cancer Card Comm.
Tricia Schwennesen – Chair, Communications
Kathie Thrift – Assistant Treasurer
Ann Vineyard – Assistant Chair, Circles of Hope
Agatha Wade – Chair, Grants
Heather Duncan Webb – Assistant Chair, Book & Author Luncheon
Marty Williams – Cure Cancer Card Comm.
Mary Wofford – Vice President, Membership Engagement
Shannon Wurster – Treasurer
