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DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke Cancer Institute has named Thomas and Janet Kean of Norwood, N.C., and Nick Valvano of Cary, N.C., president emeritus of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, as the 2013 recipients of the Shingleton Award. The award recognizes the outstanding service and generosity of individuals who are committed to the war against cancer.
 
“The foresight and vision of the Keans and Mr. Valvano help us fund discoveries and innovations in care that impact patients’ lives every day,” said Michael Kastan, M.D., PhD, executive director of the Duke Cancer Institute (DCI).
 
The awards will be presented Sept. 26, 2013, at the Shingleton Award Dinner.
 
The Keans have been generous donors and advocates for cancer research for more than a decade. In 2000, they established an endowment that provides unrestricted support for cancer research. Their most recent gift names the fourth floor waiting room in the Duke Cancer Center in memory of their good friend, the late Nicholas Georgiade, M.D., former chief of the division of plastic, maxillofacial and reconstructive surgery at Duke University School of Medicine.
 
“The Keans have made many commitments over the years that have helped transform the patient experience at Duke,” Kastan said.
 
“On behalf of my family, we are truly humbled to be named a recipient of this year’s Shingleton Award,” said Tom Kean. “We would like to thank Dr. Michael Kastan and the selection committee for allowing us this honor, and for all that the Duke Cancer Institute does to enhance the quality of life in our world today.”
 
Nick Valvano is the brother of late N.C. State University basketball coach Jim Valvano, who founded the V Foundation after being diagnosed with cancer at the young age of 46. Nick served as chief executive officer of the V Foundation for 13 years and has been a member of the Board of Directors since its inception, bringing years of professional experience in education, coaching, and senior management and sales.
 
“Through Mr. Valvano’s leadership of the V Foundation, he has been responsible for the foundation’s long-term support of cancer research at Duke,” Kastan said.
 
Duke was the second institution to receive funding from the V Foundation, which has awarded more than $100 million to more than 100 facilities nationwide and awards 100 percent of direct donations and net event proceeds to cancer research. On behalf of the V Foundation, Valvano expressed his appreciation for the award.
 
“Receiving this prestigious award is truly an honor for The V Foundation and all of our supporters who have stood by us for the last 20 years. We’re extremely proud of our relationship with the Duke Cancer Institute in our ongoing battle to fight this disease,” Valvano said.
 
The Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center (now the DCI) established the Shingleton Award in 1987, naming it for its founding father and emeritus director, William W. Shingleton, M.D.
 
“The force of Dr. Shingleton’s personal vision shaped the cancer center just as the recipients of the Shingleton Award have, through their support, continued to build upon his achievements to create the DCI as we know it today, which is internationally renowned for its cutting edge research and devotion to patient care and treatment,” Kastan said.
 
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