Oliver R. Grace Award
For distinguished service in advancing cancer research
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
2024
Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, PhD
2024 Award Recipients
Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, PhD
CRI CEO, 1993-2024
2020
Mark E. Fischbach aka “Markiplier”
2020 Award Recipients
Mark E. Fischbach aka “Markiplier”
2019
Oliver 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&D
GlaxoSmithKline
2018
Perri Peltz, George D. Yancopoulos
2018 Award Recipients
Perri Peltz
Journalist and Filmmaker
George D. Yancopoulos
Founding Scientist, President, and Chief Scientific Officer
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
2017
Bill Anderson, Bruce Ratner
2017 Award Recipients
Bill Anderson
CEO, Genentech
Bruce Ratner
Philanthropist and NYC Real Estate Developer
2016
Robert A. Bradway
2016 Award Recipients
Robert A. Bradway
Chairman & CEO, Amgen
2015
Kenneth C. Frazier, Lauren S. Veronis
2015 Award Recipients
Kenneth C. Frazier
Chairman & CEO
Merck & Co.
Lauren S. Veronis
Philanthropist and Trustee
Cancer Research Institute
2014
Murdo Gordon, Jacques C. Nordeman
2014 Award Recipients
Murdo Gordon
Head, Worldwide Markets
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Jacques C. Nordeman
Chairman
Nordeman Grimm, Inc.
2013
Bahija Jallal, PhD, Sean Parker
2013 Award Recipients
Bahija Jallal, PhD
Executive Vice President, Research and Development
AstraZeneca
Sean Parker
Serial tech entrepreneur and philanthropist
2012
Mark P. Frissora, Dr. Severin Schwan
2012 Award Recipients
Mark P. Frissora
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Hertz Corporation
Dr. Severin Schwan
Chief Executive Officer
Roche Corporation
2011
Mitchell H. Gold, MD, Laura Ziskin (1950-2011)
2011 Award Recipients
Mitchell H. Gold
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dendreon Corporation
Laura Ziskin (1950-2011)
Film Producer and Cancer Activist
2010
Andrew Witty, Michael Kors
2010 Award Recipients
Andrew Witty
Chief Executive Officer
GlaxoSmithKline
Michael Kors
American Fashion Designer
2009
Fred Hassan
2009 Award Recipients
Fred Hassan
Chairman & CEO
Schering-Plough Corporation
2008
Carlos A. Ferrer
2008 Award Recipients
Carlos A. Ferrer
Founder & Managing Member
Ferrer Freeman & Company, LLC
2007
David R. Brennan, Wade F.B. Thompson
2007 Award Recipients
David R. Brennan
Chairman & CEO
AstraZeneca PLC
Wade F.B. Thompson
Chairman, CEO, & Co-Founder
Thor Industries, Inc.
2006
Julian H. Robertson Jr.
2006 Award Recipients
Julian H. Robertson Jr.
Chairman
Tiger Management LLC
2005
Robert L. Bratzler, PhD, Carol Hamilton
2005 Award Recipients
Robert L. Bratzler
President & CEO
Coley Pharmaceutical Group
PhD, Carol Hamilton
President
L’Oreal Paris
2004
Dr. Daniel L. Vasella
2004 Award Recipients
Dr. Daniel L. Vasella
Chairman & CEO
Novartis AG
2003
Mrs. 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 & CEO
Pfizer Inc.
2002
Katie Couric, Peter R. Dolan
2002 Award Recipients
Katie Couric
Co-Anchor, NBC New’s Today
Founder, National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance
Peter R. Dolan
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
2001
Geoffrey T. Boisi, Andrea Jung, Kevin W. Sharer, Sidney Taurel
2001 Award Recipients
Geoffrey T. Boisi
Vice Chairman
JPMorgan Chase & Co
Andrea Jung
Chief Executive Officer
Avon Products, Inc.
Kevin W. Sharer
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Amgen Inc.
Sidney Taurel
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
Eli Lilly and Company
2000
Walter A. Gubert, Dr. Franz B. Humer
2000 Award Recipients
Walter A. Gubert
Vice Chairman
J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated
Dr. Franz B. Humer
Chief Executive Officer
Head of Pharmaceuticals Division
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
1999
Robert C. Black, Donald J. Gogel
1999 Award Recipients
Robert C. Black
President
Zeneca Pharmaceuticals
Donald J. Gogel
President & CEO
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
1998
John S. Chalsty, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Wayne P. Yetter
1998 Award Recipients
John S. Chalsty
Chairman
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc.
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf
U.S. Army, Retired
Wayne P. Yetter
President & CEO
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
1997
Jean-Pierre Garnier, PhD, Allen D. Wheat
1997 Award Recipients
Jean-Pierre Garnier, PhD
CEO
SmithKline Beecham
Allen D. Wheat
Chairman & CEO
Credit Suisse First Boston
1996
Michael H. Jordon, Robert N. Wilson
1996 Award Recipients
Michael H. Jordon
Chairman & CEO
Westinghouse Electric Corporation
Robert N. Wilson
Vice Chairman, Board of Directors
Johnson & Johnson
1995
Gordon Binder, John F. Smith Jr.
1995 Award Recipients
Gordon Binder
Chairman & CEO
Amgen
John F. Smith Jr.
CEO & President
General Motors Corporation
1993
Oliver R. Grace
1993 Award Recipients
Oliver R. Grace
1987
Lewis Thomas
1987 Award Recipients
Lewis Thomas
1977
Mary Lasker
1977 Award Recipients
Mary Lasker
1975
Helen Coley Nauts
1975 Award Recipients
Helen Coley Nauts