Public Health Champions Honored for Cancer-Fighting Efforts

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Honors Dr. Fred Jacobs and Avis’ Ron Nelson

Short Hills, NJ (June 16, 2011) – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is honoring two Garden State residents for their significant efforts to reduce the burden of cancer.  The Donald A .Gemson Cancer Prevention Public Policy Award is being presented to Dr. Fred Jacobs and to Ron Nelson of Avis Budget Group.  The Gemson award highlights the importance of leadership for broad-based policy change in the fight against cancer.

“Advocacy efforts and broad policy changes can result in huge, swift progress, and our two honorees fully understand how to use the power of change to reduce the burden of cancer,” said Donald Distasio, CEO, American Cancer Society of NY & NJ.  “Dr. Jacobs and Mr. Nelson are public health champions for their work to ensure smoke-free spaces and promote cancer prevention through increased physical activity and good nutrition.”

Dr. Fred Jacobs is the former New Jersey Commissioner of Health, current chair of NJ Breathes, and an Executive Vice President at Saint Barnabas Health Care System.  As Commissioner of Health, Dr. Jacobs led the fight in New Jersey to protect funding for the state’s tobacco control program and was a staunch advocate for clean indoor air legislation. As chair of NJ Breathes, he continues his active leadership in the fight against tobacco caused disease and as an executive at St. Barnabas, he has led the effort to create smoke-free hospital campuses across the state.

“The term ‘public health champion’ accurately describes the body of work of Dr. Fred Jacobs,” said Donald Distasio, CEO, American Cancer Society of NY & NJ.  “His ability to understand the power of advocacy and dedication to making an impact on the lives of New Jersey residents has resulted in significant progress in the war against Big Tobacco.” 

Ron Nelson is the Chairman and CEO of Avis Budget Group.  He has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the fight against cancer through the leadership role that Avis Budget Group played within the car rental industry in implementing the first smoke-free fleet policy and through his role as one of the founding co-chairs of CEOs Against Cancer.  Nelson believes employee health deserves to be among the company’s highest priorities. As a leader in the car rental business, Nelson understands that healthy and fit employees can concentrate on serving customers with excellence. Working with the American Cancer Society, the Avis Budget Group created a dynamic health and wellness program for its 21,000 employees—one that eliminated out-of-pocket expenses for screenings, covered tobacco cessation programs, and helped employees achieve their personal weight and fitness goals. The Society’s Active For Life program was a perfect fit and encouraged team building, healthy eating, and fitness.

“Ron Nelson had the vision to see that a healthier workforce that is physically active and eats well is healthier, happier, and more productive,” Distasio said. “He extended his commitment to cancer prevention by sharing his vision with other CEOs and by prohibiting smoking in the Avis fleet of rental vehicles.”

The Donald A. Gemson Cancer Prevention Public Policy Awards will be held:

When:      Thursday, June 23, 2011, 6-8 PM
Where:     Hilton Short Hills, 41 JFK Parkway, Short Hills
Tickets:    $100 per person (tickets still available)

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s Donald A. Gemson Cancer Prevention Public Policy Award highlights the importance of leadership for broad-based policy change in the fight against cancer, a cause that Don Gemson, MD, MPH, an American Cancer Society board member, physician, public health advocate, Columbia University professor and corporate health leader, embraced throughout his vibrant career.  The award allows the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to honor the memory of Don Gemson, a man who gave his all to the American Cancer Society and to the fight against cancer. Through the award, leaders are recognized who work, every day, for change in the corporate, government and health care arenas around the cancer burden.

For more information about the Donald A .Gemson Cancer Prevention Public Policy Awards, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.

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About ACS CAN
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.