Innovation forms the foundation of cancer care. Like the changemakers who dedicate their lives to making a difference for those living with and affected by cancer, the C2 Awards also strive for innovation. The 2023 C2 Awards include new categories that expand the opportunities to honor the people and organizations pioneering advanced—and sometimes, unforeseen—ways to improve the lives of people in this community.

The 2023 C2 Awards—a partnership between AstraZeneca and Scientific American Custom Media—is comprised of six categories that cover a wide range of topics, including extending quality care to underserved communities, making cancer care more equitable, improving the patient experience, bringing forward new treatments and technologies, or doing something flat-out inspiring for patients and their families. 

In its fifth year, the C2 Awards attracted a record-setting number of nominees that came from 34 states and the District of Columbia. For each award category — Catalyst for Care, Catalyst for Change, Catalyst for Equity, Catalyst for Next-Generation Oncology, Unconventional Heroes, and Innovation — a panel of judges, made up of leaders in the oncology community, reviewed and scored nominees.

To meet the 2023 C2 Award finalists, read their stories below. The award winners will be announced at a celebration in Gaithersburg, MD, on October 12, 2023. Winners receive a $50,000 grant to give to a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves the cancer community.

FINALISTS WHO FOCUS ON FAMILIES: C2 CATALYST FOR CARE

The C2 Catalyst for Care Award recognizes those who are working to transform the experience for people navigating cancer. 

  • In Livermore, CA, cancer survivor Lisa McNaney, founder and executive director of Culinary Angels, prepares nutritious meals that are delivered at no cost to cancer patients and their families. 

  • The Ulman Foundation in Maryland has provided over 7,000 nights of free housing to young adult cancer patients and their families since 2017.

  • To help families work as a team in the face of pediatric cancer, Liz Salguero co-founded Circle of Care in Connecticut, where they provide support through programs, services, and resources. 

Illustrated portraits of Lisa McNaney, Brock Yetso and Liz Salguero.

FINALISTS OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO ACCESS: C2 CATALYST FOR CHANGE 

Finalists for the C2 Catalyst for Change Award revolutionize access to quality cancer care for underserved populations. 

  • Family practitioner, Michael Gieske, created a lung cancer screening program in a small healthcare system in Kentucky that now surpasses the rates of some large cancer centers. 

  • To help patients access treatment across 16 states, The Sisters Inspiring Sisters, Inc, has provided gas cards to more than 1,600 patients, helping them easily get to their appointments.

  • A screening initiative, led by Lannis Hall, increased prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening rates in average and high-risk men through a health maintenance reminder that alerts primary care providers in a large health system across two states.

Illustrated portraits of Michael Gieske, Terry W. Spicer and Lannis Hall.

FINALISTS SUPPORTING THE UNSUPPORTED: C2 CATALYST FOR EQUITY

The C2 Catalyst for Equity Award honors people and organizations that create equitable care and access across the cancer community. 

  • Jeanette Avila and her colleagues at the Sinai Urban Health Institute in Chicago have educated more than 28,000 members of their predominantly Black and Latinx communities about breast, cervical, and colorectal health, and the importance of obtaining screenings.

  • When a female cancer patient can’t afford fertility preservation treatments, The Chick Mission provides advocacy, education, and financial resources to women across six states.

  • Cancer Support Community Arizona's resource navigation program has bilingual navigators who address social determinants of health, prevent disruptions to continuous medical care, and extend mental healthcare to underserved communities. 

Illustrated portraits of Jeanette Avila, Amanda Rice and Annet Ruiter.

FINALISTS FINDING TREATMENT-IMPROVING CONNECTIONS: C2 CATALYST FOR NEXT-GENERATION ONCOLOGY

Finalists for the C2 Catalyst for Next-Generation Oncology Award accelerate the understanding and treatment of cancer. 

  • Working as a team, Heather Cheng of the University of Washington and Channing Judith Paller of Johns Hopkins University developed the PROMISE Registry to study mutations in prostate cancer and develop precision methods of treatment. 

  •  Hereditary risk is an important factor in a person’s chance of developing cancer, which is just what Brian Shirts at the University of Washington helps patients understand through the ConnectMyVariant project.

  • By combining engineering and oncology, Shreya Raghavan at Texas A&M explores the role of mechanical forces in cancer progression, and how to stop it. 

Illustrated graphic of Heather H. Cheng, Channing J. Paller, Brian Shirts and Shreya Raghavan.

FINALISTS CREATING UNEXPECTED POWERS: C2 UNCONVENTIONAL HEROES

Finalists for the C2 Unconventional Heroes Award work to advance cancer treatments through unique avenues. 

  • Former elementary school teacher, Margaret Mauran Zuccotti, knows it can be hard for kids to understand and talk about cancer. She developed the Reading for Reassurance program, which has distributed books to more than 1,500 families across the country.

  • Two-time cancer survivor and medical artist Vicki Friedman founded St. Louis-based Arts as Healing to help patients reduce stress through art. 

  • Coach Karen O’Brien created Teal Attack to use high school and college volleyball games to raise awareness about ovarian cancer in the Detroit area. Her events have reached over 3,000 student-athletes.

Illustrated portraits of Margaret Mauran Zuccotti, Vicki Friedman and Karen O'Brien.

FINALISTS PAVING NEW PATHS TO IMPROVEMENT: C2 INNOVATION AWARD

The new C2 Innovation Award recognizes those who are working to find unique approaches to redefining cancer care. 

  • Susan Bratton of Savor Health helps cancer patients across the country maintain their nutrition with her Dietician-on-Demand, which is driven by artificial intelligence.

  • In Minnesota’s Twin Cities, the Angel Foundation distributes Angel Packs to parents to help them communicate a cancer diagnosis in an age-appropriate way with their child.

  • In partnership with the Massachusetts General Cancer Center, Melissa Smith and her colleagues from Medically Home developed Supportive Oncology Care at Home, which supports proactive management of patient conditions, including critical services from imaging to infusions.  

Illustrated portraits of Susan Bratton, Dave Becker and Melissa Hennessey.

The C2 Awards are truly a community effort. Thank you to all those that have submitted nominations and to the group of dedicated judges. Without them, the C2 Awards would not be possible. We’re excited to come together to recognize all of the finalists and their contributions to the community on October 12, 2023. Please join us by registering here and spread the word.