Award Created for Cancer Research and Care

Contact: Christine Westerman
212-639-3573

Multimillion Dollar Award Is Created for Cancer Research and Care

NEW YORK - February, 2000 - A major scientific award has been established to honor Dr. Paul A. Marks on the occasion of his retirement as President of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). An endowment of $2.4 million, which has been contributed by members of MSKCC's Boards of Overseers and Managers and other friends of the Center, will fund the award. A panel from Sloan-Kettering, and other internationally renowned institutions, will select the recipients. The Paul Marks Award for Excellence in Cancer Research and Care will be given every other year to a leader in the cancer field who has contributed significantly to the understanding and care of this disease, beginning next year.

In announcing the creation of the award, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Board Chairman, Douglas A. Warner III, said that it honors exceptional vision and the highest standards of care, "a uniquely fitting recognition for Dr. Marks's superb leadership."

"I believe that it will become a major award for accomplishments in the cancer field worldwide, and will enhance Memorial Sloan-Kettering's leadership position in cancer research and treatment," Mr. Warner said. "We could think of no more appropriate way to recognize Dr. Marks's outstanding accomplishments."

Mr. Warner said "Dr. Marks has steered this institution for two decades in directions that have presented the greatest possible potential for progress against cancers. As a teacher and administrator, he has led the creation of innovative programs and facilities for patient care; markedly expanded our efforts in cancer prevention and early detection; built laboratories; encouraged creative research; and enhanced collaboration among clinical investigators and basic scientists for the benefit of patients. As a scientist, he has led by his own example in the laboratory, where he has made major contributions, including a pioneering new approach to treating cancer by making abnormal cells mature into normal cells. As a leader, he has raised the standards of excellence for all of us."

Mr. Warner made special mention of the role of Dr. Marks in securing financial independence for the Center. In partnership with the Board, Dr. Marks raised the invested reserves from $82 million to $1.9 billion, between the years 1980 and 1999. The number of annual gifts increased from 140,000 to 925,000 donors, and annual giving rose from $34 million to $150 million.

"The past 20 years have given me the opportunity to realize my career ambition - which has been to make a difference in the struggle against cancer," Dr. Marks said. "I believe Memorial Sloan-Kettering is doing that."

Effective January 2000, Dr. Harold E. Varmus succeeded Dr. Marks as President and Chief Executive Officer of MSKCC. Dr. Varmus served as the Director of the National

Institutes of Health for six years, and was the co-recipient of the 1989 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is the world's oldest and largest institution devoted to patient care, research, and education in cancer. Throughout its long, distinguished history, the Center has played a leadership role in defining the standards of care for patients with cancer. In 1999, Memorial Sloan-Kettering was named the nation's best cancer center for the seventh consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report.

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DR. PAUL A. MARKS

Selected Awards and Honors:

Life Achievement Award, American-Italian Cancer Foundation (1999)
Lifetime Achievement Award, Greater New York Hospital Association (1997)
Gold Medal for Distinguished Academic Accomplishments, Columbia University (1994)
President's National Medal of Science (1991)
Centenary Medal of the Pasteur Institute (1987)
Medal of the Japan Foundation for the Promotion of Cancer Research (1984)
Honorary Degrees from the University of Urbino (1982), the Hebrew University (1987), the University of Tel Aviv (1992)
Member, National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine