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Tom Brokaw |
The event marks the first time the Ambassador of Hope Gala will be broadcast to other locations in the state. Brokaw’s speech will be broadcast live to Sidney, Lexington and Norfolk, as each of these communities will be holding their own fundraising events for the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.
The Ambassador of Hope Award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions in the fight against cancer through research, patient care activities or by raising public awareness of cancer. Previous recipients of the Ambassador of Hope Award include General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Sam Donaldson and Chuck Durham.
Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, said Brokaw continues the tradition of excellent past honorees. “It is a great honor for the Eppley Cancer Center to have him involved in our event and also to recognize him with the Ambassador of Hope Award,” Dr. Cowan said.
A world-renowned journalist, Brokaw is best known as the anchor of the “NBC Nightly News” from 1983 to 2004. During his tenure, the program was consistently the highest-rated evening news show. Brokaw began his broadcast journalism career in Omaha working at KMTV from 1962 to 1965.
Last year, Brokaw returned to prime time with several documentaries, including “Tom Brokaw Reports: To War and Back,” a unique documentary that received wide acclaim from critics.
In addition to “NBC Nightly News,” Brokaw reported a series of hour-long documentaries, including “The Lost Boys,” a story about how the ongoing war in Sudan forced the “lost boys” out of their villages in the 1980s. The story won a National Press Club Award. He has been recognized with numerous other awards, including the prestigious Peabody Award in 1989 and 2004.
Brokaw has an impressive series of “firsts,” including the first exclusive one-on-one interview with Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev, earning the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award.
Complementing his distinguished broadcast journalism career, Brokaw has written several books and numerous articles, essays and commentaries for several publications. His best-known book, “The Greatest Generation,” depicts Americans who came of age during the Great Depression and fought World War II and went on to build America.
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Harlan Noddle |
The Noddle family includes Nancy Noddle and the couple’s children, Jay Noddle and Susie Noddle Levine. The Spirit of Nebraska Award they will receive is presented to those whose contributions to the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center demonstrate the spirit of giving to the community. Harlan Noddle, a longtime supporter of UNMC and The Nebraska Medical Center, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in December 2005. He was 69.
Prior to his death, Noddle had spent the past eight years on The Nebraska Medical Center board of directors, serving as chairman from April 2000 through December 2002. He also was the chairman of the University of Nebraska Foundation board of directors and was elected to the Omaha Business Hall of Fame in 2002.
As founder and chairman of Noddle Development Company, he left behind a legacy of economic growth and community development that will continue to benefit Nebraskans for years to come. Noddle’s firm handled such major projects as One Pacific Place and the First National Business Park.
Dr. Cowan said the Ambassador of Hope Gala fundraising efforts are critical to the success of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. “This event is a unique opportunity for the Eppley Cancer Center to thank and recognize those who have joined us in the fight against cancer. The funds raised at this event enable Eppley to embark on innovative, cutting-edge research,” he said.
Since its inception in 1998, the Ambassador of Hope Gala has raised more than $1.2 million for research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.
The event is hosted by the Friends of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, a community-based group committed to raising funds for cancer research. Mogens and Cindy Bay are honorary chairs of this year’s event. General chair is Jean Bell.
The Gala in Omaha and the events in the satellite locations feature a reception at 6 p.m. followed by an auction, dinner and program at 7 p.m.
To make a reservation for the Omaha event or for additional information, call (402) 934-4668 or visit www.hope-06.org.
The following is a listing of the locations, hosts and contact phone numbers for the three events in Greater Nebraska:
- Lexington – Dawson County Extension Room, Dawson County Fair Grounds, Dr. Joe and Dianne Jeffrey, (308) 324-3613;
- Norfolk – Divots Conference Center, 4200 W. Norfolk Ave., Herb and Kathy Albers, (402) 529-3563 or (402) 529-6862;
- Sidney – Holiday Inn, 664 Chase Blvd., John and Laurie Widdowson, (308) 249-0205 or (308) 483-5085.
Seating is limited in the satellite locations. Call the phone number listed for each location for more information and to obtain the reservation deadline.
Corporate and individual sponsorships ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 are available.