Oliver R. Grace Award For distinguished service in advancing cancer research Oliver R. Grace Award The Oliver R. Grace Award for Distinguished Service in Advancing Cancer Research recognizes the contributions of dedicated companies and individuals whose leadership has helped to advance cancer research through their fundraising, advocacy, or awareness efforts. The Award is named in memory of Oliver R. Grace, CRI’s founding chairman, who died in 1992 and received the award posthumously the following year. In 1975, CRI founder Helen Coley Nauts was the first recipient of this award, which is a commemorative medal. Other recipients include Mary Lasker in 1977 and Lewis Thomas, MD, in 1987. Past Recipients 2024Jill O'Donnell-Tormey, PhD 2024 Award Recipients Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, PhD CRI CEO, 1993-2024 2020Mark E. Fischbach aka “Markiplier” 2020 Award Recipients Mark E. Fischbach aka “Markiplier” 2019Oliver R. Grace, Jr., Axel Hoos 2019 Award Recipients Oliver R. Grace, Jr. Chief Executive, Grace Family Office Axel Hoos Senior Vice President of Oncology R&DGlaxoSmithKline 2018Perri Peltz, George D. Yancopoulos 2018 Award Recipients Perri Peltz Journalist and Filmmaker George D. Yancopoulos Founding Scientist, President, and Chief Scientific OfficerRegeneron Pharmaceuticals 2017Bill Anderson, Bruce Ratner 2017 Award Recipients Bill Anderson CEOGenentech Bruce Ratner Philanthropist and NYC Real Estate Developer 2016Robert A. Bradway 2016 Award Recipients Robert A. Bradway Chairman & CEOAmgen 2015Kenneth C. Frazier, Lauren S. Veronis 2015 Award Recipients Kenneth C. Frazier Chairman & CEOMerck & Co. Lauren S. Veronis Philanthropist and TrusteeCancer Research Institute 2014Murdo Gordon, Jacques C. Nordeman 2014 Award Recipients Murdo Gordon Head, Worldwide MarketsBristol-Myers Squibb Company Jacques C. Nordeman ChairmanNordeman Grimm, Inc. 2013Bahija Jallal, PhD, Sean Parker 2013 Award Recipients Bahija Jallal, PhD Executive Vice President, Research and DevelopmentAstraZeneca Sean Parker Serial tech entrepreneur and philanthropist 2012Mark P. Frissora, Dr. Severin Schwan 2012 Award Recipients Mark P. Frissora Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerHertz Corporation Dr. Severin Schwan Chief Executive OfficerRoche Corporation 2011Mitchell H. Gold, MD, Laura Ziskin (1950-2011) 2011 Award Recipients Mitchell H. Gold, MD President and Chief Executive OfficerDendreon Corporation Laura Ziskin (1950-2011) Film Producer and Cancer Activist 2010Andrew Witty, Michael Kors 2010 Award Recipients Andrew Witty Chief Executive OfficerGlaxoSmithKline Michael Kors American Fashion Designer 2009Fred Hassan 2009 Award Recipients Fred Hassan Chairman & CEOSchering-Plough Corporation 2008Carlos A. Ferrer 2008 Award Recipients Carlos A. Ferrer Founder & Managing MemberFerrer Freeman & Company, LLC 2007David R. Brennan, Wade F.B. Thompson 2007 Award Recipients David R. Brennan Chairman & CEOAstraZeneca PLC Wade F.B. Thompson Chairman, CEO, & Co-FounderThor Industries, Inc. 2006Julian H. Robertson Jr. 2006 Award Recipients Julian H. Robertson Jr. ChairmanTiger Management LLC 2005Robert L. Bratzler, PhD, Carol Hamilton 2005 Award Recipients Robert L. Bratzler, PhD President & CEOColey Pharmaceutical Group Carol Hamilton PresidentL’Oreal Paris 2004Dr. Daniel L. Vasella 2004 Award Recipients Dr. Daniel L. Vasella Chairman & CEONovartis AG 2003Mrs. Anna-Maria Kellen, Dr. Henry A. McKinnell Jr. 2003 Award Recipients Mrs. Anna-Maria Kellen Philanthropist & CRI Trustee Dr. Henry A. McKinnell Jr. Chairman of the Board & CEOPfizer Inc. 2002Katie Couric, Peter R. Dolan 2002 Award Recipients Katie Couric Co-Anchor, NBC New’s TodayFounder, National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance Peter R. Dolan Chairman & Chief Executive OfficerBristol-Myers Squibb Company 2001Geoffrey T. Boisi, Andrea Jung, Kevin W. Sharer, Sidney Taurel 2001 Award Recipients Geoffrey T. Boisi Vice ChairmanJPMorgan Chase & Co Andrea Jung Chief Executive OfficerAvon Products, Inc. Kevin W. Sharer Chairman & Chief Executive OfficerAmgen Inc. Sidney Taurel Chairman, President & Chief Executive OfficerEli Lilly and Company 2000Walter A. Gubert, Dr. Franz B. Humer 2000 Award Recipients Walter A. Gubert Vice ChairmanJ.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated Dr. Franz B. Humer Chief Executive OfficerHead of Pharmaceuticals DivisionF. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. 1999Robert C. Black, Donald J. Gogel 1999 Award Recipients Robert C. Black PresidentZeneca Pharmaceuticals Donald J. Gogel President & CEOClayton, Dubilier & Rice 1998John S. Chalsty, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Wayne P. Yetter 1998 Award Recipients John S. Chalsty ChairmanDonaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc. General H. Norman Schwarzkopf U.S. Army, Retired Wayne P. Yetter President & CEONovartis Pharmaceuticals 1997Jean-Pierre Garnier, PhD, Allen D. Wheat 1997 Award Recipients Jean-Pierre Garnier, PhD CEOSmithKline Beecham Allen D. Wheat Chairman & CEOCredit Suisse First Boston 1996Michael H. Jordon, Robert N. Wilson 1996 Award Recipients Michael H. Jordon Chairman & CEOWestinghouse Electric Corporation Robert N. Wilson Vice Chairman, Board of DirectorsJohnson & Johnson 1995Gordon Binder, John F. Smith Jr. 1995 Award Recipients Gordon Binder Chairman & CEOAmgen John F. Smith Jr. CEO & PresidentGeneral Motors Corporation 1993Oliver R. Grace 1993 Award Recipients Oliver R. Grace 1987Lewis Thomas 1987 Award Recipients Lewis Thomas 1977Mary Lasker 1977 Award Recipients Mary Lasker 1975Helen Coley Nauts 1975 Award Recipients Helen Coley Nauts
