Novartis Oncology has announced its 2010 Warner Advocacy Award named in honor of Monica Warner, a driving force behind the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation for two decades and an extraordinary advocate for carcinoid and neuroendocrine tumor patients. The award will be presented to “the patient, caregiver, or citizen who most embodies the spirit with which Mrs. Warner assisted patients.” Nominations are now being accepted and all submissions are due by noon on August 1, 2010.
Monica Warner
The winner of this year’s award will be announced in September. The recipient will receive an individual award of recognition (nonmonetary). Novartis Oncology will direct a $10,000 donation to an approved 501(c)(3) charitable organization of the winner’s choice. Institutions and non-501(c)(3) organizations are not eligible to receive the award.
Nominations will be reviewed for the following criteria:
- Number of patients assisted
- Innovation of patient-focused project(s)
- Area of outreach
- Facilitation of positive change
- Evidence of collaboration with group leaders
When Monica Warner, the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation’s Director of Development and Research Coordinator, died suddenly on August 7, 2009, the carcinoid/NET community lost one of their most staunch advocates.
The Warner Advocacy Award, created by Novartis Oncology as a lasting tribute to Mrs. Warner, was given to Monica posthumously at the National Carcinoid/NET Patient Conference in September 2009. Dr. Mildred Ortu Kowalski, Novartis Oncology’s Director of Patient Advocacy and External Affairs, presented the award to Dr. Richard R.P. Warner, Monica’s beloved husband and Medical Director of The Carcinoid Cancer Foundation, at the conference. Dr. Kowalski said, “We hope that the creation of the advocacy award will be viewed as a tribute to Monica’s vision of helping patients. As Novartis Oncology continues to work to improve the lives of patients with cancer, we also will continue to honor Monica’s memory by presenting the Warner Advocacy Award each year.”
