The Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska, an organization that has raised millions of dollars to support cancer research at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center over the past three decades, was awarded the Champion for Cures Award from the Association of American Cancer Institutes on Monday (Oct. 26).
Several members of the Cattlemen’s Ball organization received the award in Chicago at the AACI national meeting.
“The Cattlemen’s Ball continues to be an invaluable champion and steadfast partner of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center,” said Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the cancer center. “Its support has fueled the center’s growth and helped catalyze paradigm-shifting cancer research.”
Founded in 1998, the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska hosts its annual fundraising event each summer. The Cattlemen’s Ball is held in a different location each year, giving Nebraska communities the opportunity to showcase their areas to the state. Ninety percent of the raised funds go to the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Nebraska’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Ten percent of the proceeds are returned to the local community for health and wellness initiatives.
Since it was founded, the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska has provided more than $22 million in funding to the cancer center. The 2027 Cattlemen’s Ball take place near Stromsburg on June 4-5.
Dr. Sweasy is in the midst of a two-year term as president of the AACI, which represents more than 100 academic and freestanding cancer centers in the United States and Canada.