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Eppley Cancer Center Director Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., left, with members of the Cattlemen’s Ball committee in the Durham Outpatient Center. The Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska recently received the Marge and Chuck Durham Spirit of Nebraska Award for its support of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. |
In the 11 years the ball has been held, it has raised more than $3.2 million to support cancer research, with much of that money going to support work at UNMC.
“The ball — and namely those who help put on the yearly event — has been a point of pride and inspiration for the many members of our cancer center,” said Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. “Every year hundreds of volunteers in rural communities around Nebraska work tirelessly to make the Cattlemen’s Ball a smashing success. We are incredibly grateful for their phenomenal effort and support.”
The Cattlemen’s Ball is held on a different Nebraska ranch every year. Its mission is to raise money for cancer research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, while showcasing the beauty of rural Nebraska and promoting beef as part of a healthy diet.
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Next year’s Cattlemen’s Ball will be held June 6 at the Crane Trust in Doniphan, Neb., about 12 miles south of Grand Island.
The Spirit of Nebraska Award is named for Omaha philanthropists Chuck and Marge Durham, who were legendary supporters of UNMC and its mission. Lynn Boyer, daughter of Margre and Chuck Durham, helped to present the Spirit of Nebraska Award at this year’s Ambassador of Hope Gala.
Many of the families who have generously hosted the ball on their ranches as well as past and present members of the Cattlemen’s Ball were on hand to be honored at the gala in Omaha or at a satellite event held simultaneously in Scottsbluff.
The award was previously given posthumously to Omaha businessman, Harlan Noddle. Noddle also was a strong supporter of the medical center who died of pancreatic cancer in 2005.