News Veteran Sam Donaldson Addresses 250 at Fundraiser for ACS CAN in Omaha

ABC News veteran Sam Donaldson headlined the Star of Hope Breakfast, an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network fundraiser, at the LaVista Conference Center this morning. Donaldson was diagnosed with melanoma cancer in 1995 and has been an avid supporter of cancer research. The event was a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), a nonprofit, nonpartisan sister advocacy organization of the American Cancer Society, which is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.  ACS CAN works to encourage lawmakers, candidates and government officials to support laws and policies that will make cancer a top national priority.

 

“When you join the cancer club, you don’t volunteer or fill out an application. You’re drafted,” Donaldson said in a radio interview before the event. “I want to do my part to help and what I can do is help raise money for cancer research. Cancer is a nonpartisan disease. This is something we can all get behind, Democrat or Republican.”

 

Rob McCartney and Brandi Petersen, co-anchors for KETV in Omaha were the emcees for this morning’s event.  American Cancer Society Board of Directors President Charlotte Burke of Lincoln made remarks followed by Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle’s presentation of the key to the city for Mr. Donaldson.  Following his remarks of 20 minutes, Donaldson fielded a few questions from the audience and received gifts from the City of LaVista as well as the Star of Hope Award from the American Cancer Society.  In all, more than 250 attended this morning’s event.

ACS CAN Star of Hope Breakfast to Feature Sam Donaldson

On March 23, ACS CAN will be hosting the first-annual Star of Hope Breakfast.  This year’s breakfast will feature former ABC News Reporter Sam Donaldson who will speak about “The View from Washington”.  The breakfast begins at 7:30 am at LaVista Conference Center, 12520 Westport Parkway.  Tickets are $50 each and may be purchased by going to www.acscan.org/starofhope .

 

For over 40 years, Sam Donaldson worked for ABC News, reporting from virtually every corner of the globe.  Winner of many journalism and television awards, the Texas-born Donaldson is also a 14-year survivor of deadly melanoma skin cancer.  His own experience with cancer and what he has learned since then have helped to shape his view that cancer patients can work actively to fight their disease and that there is hope.

 

Sponsorship opportunities for this year’s event are still available.  If you would like to learn more about sponsor levels and benefits, please contact David Holmquist at david.holmquist@cancer.org. 

 

A limited number of rooms at the Ebassy Suites La Vista are available at a rate of $09 for the night of Monday, March 22.  For those interested please call 402-331-7400.  Ask for reservations and mention that you will be attending the Star of Hope Breakfast.