Award Ceremony for Major Role in Medical Research   

On Wednesday, May 11, 2011, Ambassador Manuel Sager and his wife Christine hosted an award ceremony at their Residence to recognize accomplishments in breast cancer research. “The fight against breast cancer is a global fight–and one that requires the brightest, most dedicated minds on both sides of the ocean.” according to Ambassador Sager. Two bright minds received awards for their achievements and contributions in breast cancer research and treatment that night. Dr. Craig V. Jordan, Scientific Director and Vice Chairman of Oncology at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center of Georgetown University, was honored for his contributions to the fight against breast cancer, most notably the development of the drug Tamoxifen. He recently received the 2011 Breast Cancer Prize of the St. Gallen Oncology Conferences (SONK) for his internationally acknowledged contribution to breast cancer treatment. The SONK conferences have had a strong impact on the international medical world over the past 20 years. Particularly the biannual consensus meeting on breast cancer treatments influences treatments worldwide. The Swiss honoree, Dr. Hansjörg Senn, is the founder of the St. Gallen Oncological Conferences and has had a major impact on the global fight against breast cancer. He received an award for his exemplary efforts in working to improve breast cancer treatment internationally. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Senn noted that St. Gallen has been a knowledge hub for over a thousand years and that the globally-oriented Breast Cancer Conferences continue that tradition today. The speakers also included Rev. Dr. Cecilie Strommen, the wife of the Ambassador of Norway, and Dr. Judy Garber, President of the American Association for Cancer Research.

Left to right: Dr. V. Craig Jordan, Ambassador Manuel Sager, Dr. Hansjörg Senn © FDFA