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CAMDEN, N.J.— The President and CEO of The Cooper Foundation of Cooper University Health System Susan Bass Levin today announced that the Fourth Annual Pink Roses Teal Magnolias Brunch raised a record $600,000 for breast and gynecologic cancer research and clinical programs at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper.

Levin also announced that since the first brunch in 2010, fundraising for Pink Roses Teal Magnolias has topped a total of $1.5 million.

More than 800 women and “a few good men” attended this year’s brunch honoring MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper Director Generosa Grana, M.D. The event was held at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill, N.J.

“Support for Pink Roses Teal Magnolias helps women conquer cancer,” said Levin, an ovarian cancer survivor. “With the opening of the new MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper and the leadership and vision of Dr. Generosa Grana, patients from throughout the region have access to world-renowned cancer care right here in South Jersey.”

Grana received the Pink and Teal Hero Award for her outstanding contributions to cancer care and for advancing research that improves treatment and will one day lead to a cure.

“I am honored to receive the Pink and Teal Hero Award, but my patients are the real heroines. Every day they teach me about strength, perseverance and what truly matters in life.” Grana said. “I am forever grateful to The Cooper Foundation and its supporters who are enabling us to do our best work researching new cancer treatments and providing high quality care for all of our patients.”

In addition to serving as Director of MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Grana is Professor of Medicine at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Coriell Institute for Medical Research in Camden, N.J.

After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Notre Dame, Grana attended medical school at the Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago before pursuing a residency in internal medicine at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. Grana completed her fellowship in hematology and oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center and Temple University in Philadelphia where she also completed a post-doctoral fellowship in preventive oncology.

Grana’s clinical and research endeavors at Cooper have focused on breast cancer, cancer genetics and community outreach interventions aimed at underserved populations, and she continues to be active in each of these areas. She has been active in clinical trials for breast cancer as well as in research focusing on the study of the hereditary aspects of breast, ovary and colorectal cancer. Grana has received numerous awards for her work and has been recognized as a “Top Doctor” by several regional publications.

In addition to the Pink and Teal Hero Award presentation, the Pink Roses Teal Magnolias Brunch featured personal stories from cancer survivors and included a “Survivors Parade” to recognize all cancer survivors in attendance. Guests also participated in a health fair, silent auction and raffle.

The brunch was co-chaired by Donna Forman, Cherry Hill; Janet Knowles, Moorestown; Sandy Levenson, Cherry Hill; Mary Ann Todd, Marlton, and Sandee Vogelson, Cherry Hill – all cancer survivors.

The honorary co-chairs were Francis R. Spitz, M.D., Deputy Director, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper; Kristin Lynne Brill, M.D., Director, The Janet Knowles Breast Cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper; Tamara LaCouture, M.D., Chief and Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper and David Warshal, M.D., Head, Division of Gynecologic Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper.

About MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper

MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper is a fully integrated partnership between Cooper University Healthcare and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center – a world-renowned cancer center which began in September 2013. MD Anderson at Cooper physicians adhere to the philosophy, process and guidelines set by MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, and patients receive the same proven practice standards and treatment protocols provided at MD Anderson. Disease-site specific multidisciplinary teams consisting of physicians, nurses and other clinical specialists work together to provide cancer patients with advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, access to wide range of groundbreaking clinical trials and dynamic patient-physician relationships.  A full complement of support services provides complete, compassionate care for our patients. MD Anderson at Cooper is the only accredited American College of Surgeons Academic Cancer Program in South Jersey.  Cancer services are based in Camden at the new $100 million MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper located on the Health Sciences Campus as well as in Voorhees, New Jersey.

 

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