THE JOHN WAYNE CANCER INSTITUTE AUXILIARY TO HONOR MARK B. FARIES, MD, AND RUTH WEIL AT 31ST ANNUAL ODYSSEY BALL

SANTA MONICA, CA (March 10, 2016) – The John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary will honor internationally recognized surgical oncologist Mark B. Faries, MD, with “The Duke” Special Service Award and Institute benefactor Ruth Weil will be presented with the inaugural Dr. Donald L. Morton Legend Award at the 31st annual Odyssey Ball, Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills. The yearly fundraising event benefits the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center and is organized by the John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary led by co-chairs Martha Harper, Colleen Pennell, Elizabeth Rawjee and Jessica Royer. The Morgan Leigh Band will provide entertainment for the “cowboys and legends” themed gala.

“Dr. Mark B. Faries embodies all that “The Duke” Special Service Award symbolizes,” said Patrick Wayne, chairman of the board at the Institute and son of the legendary actor John Wayne. “He is an important and integral member of our Institute family and we are proud to recognize his dedication to the research and development of new cancer treatments that bring hope to cancer patients around the world.”

“It is more than fitting that the first recipient of the Dr. Donald L. Morton Legend Award should be Ruth Weil,” said Anita Swift, auxiliary president. “Her tireless contributions to raising awareness and funds for cancer research and education place her within his great legacy.”

Mark B. Faries, MD, director of the Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship, director of the Donald L. Morton, MD Melanoma Research Program and director of therapeutic immunology at the John Wayne Cancer Institute first came to the Institute for a surgical oncology fellowship in 2002. Two years later, he joined the Institute faculty as director of translational tumor immunology where he spearheaded studies and conducted clinical trials. He was later recruited to Yale University and appointed associate professor of surgery. In 2011, Dr. Morton, the Institute’s co-founder and leader of its melanoma program at the time, asked him to return to ensure completion of important research projects and assume leadership of the Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program. Dr. Faries supervises clinical trials that include more than 6,000 patients around the world and has been awarded substantial research funding by the National Cancer Institute. He is the first surgeon in California to perform minimally invasive inguinal lymph node dissections, resulting in improved patient outcomes. He also established an FDA-certified cellular immunotherapy lab, and has published over 150 manuscripts, abstracts and book chapters, and lectured in nine countries on three continents.

Philanthropist, active board member and hospital volunteer, Ruth Weil will be honored with the inaugural Dr. Donald L. Morton Legend Award. As a friend and early supporter of Dr. Morton’s work, she has made major contributions to the leadership of the Institute. In the early 1980’s, Ruth became a board member of the Auxiliary, serving on committees and holding various offices including president. Having raised more than $2 million dollars for the Institute, she established the Martin H. Weil fund, which funds the Ruth and Martin H. Weil Laboratory for Cancer Research and sponsors the Ruth and Martin H. Weil fellow. The Dr. Donald L. Morton Legend Award recognizes an individual who has made a lasting contribution to cancer research and education that exemplifies Dr. Morton’s heroic vision to eradicate cancer.

About the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center

Since 1981, the family of John Wayne has been committed to pioneering cancer research in memory of their father, who died of cancer. For more than 30 years, the courageous and dedicated researchers at the John Wayne Cancer Institute have made groundbreaking discoveries that have changed the way cancer is detected, diagnosed and treated around the world. Today the tradition of excellence continues as the Institute spearheads new research advances, while training the next generation of leaders in the fight against cancer through its renowned Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program. The Institute’s programs focus on melanoma, breast, neuro, prostate and gastrointestinal cancers, as well as innovative research in cancer genomics, molecular biomarkers, and chemo- and immunotherapies. With its unique ability to rapidly turn scientific discoveries into novel approaches for early detection and treatment, the Institute provides immediate hope to cancer patients everywhere.

About the John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary

Established in 1982 by two breast cancer survivors, the John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary is currently helmed by president Anita Swift, granddaughter of John Wayne. The Auxiliary has raised more than $19 million to fund a wide array of the Institute’s priorities including groundbreaking research, vital new laboratory equipment and the nationally renowned Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program, which trains the next generation of surgical oncologists. For more information, please visit www.JWCIgiving.org.

For event information and sponsorship packages, please contact Grant Associates at 323-904-4400.

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