Igniting Hope Awards Reception

HONORING

Larry Hogan

62nd Governor of Maryland
Cancer Survivor
NCCS Public Service Leadership Award

Susan Leigh, BSN

NCCS Co-Founding Member
Cancer Survivor
Ellen L. Stovall Award for Innovation
in Patient-Centered Cancer Care

Desirée A.H. Walker

President, Young Survivors Coalition
Cancer Survivor
Ellen L. Stovall Award for Innovation
in Patient-Centered Cancer Care

Thursday, June 26, 2025
The Morrow Hotel - Washington, DC
6 PM – 9 PM ET
Business and Cocktail Attire

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NCCS is thrilled to invite you to attend the inaugural Igniting Hope Awards Reception — an evening of celebration and recognition of leaders transforming the future of cancer care. This event is a re-imagining of NCCS’s long-standing Ellen L. Stovall Awards Reception, where we will continue to present the prestigious Ellen L. Stovall Awards for Innovation in Patient-Centered Cancer Care, alongside new honors recognizing additional excellence in the cancer survivorship movement.

We will recognize the following individuals at the Igniting Hope Awards Reception:

Governor Larry Hogan – Public Service Leadership Award
Susan Leigh, BSN, RN-Retired – Ellen L. Stovall Award
Desirée A.H. Walker – Ellen L. Stovall Award

We are honored to present former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan with the Public Service Leadership Award for his extraordinary courage in sharing his cancer journey with the public. Read the Full Announcement »

Named in honor of longtime NCCS CEO and three-time cancer survivor Ellen Stovall, the Stovall Award is the only national award that recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact on the delivery of patient-centered cancer care. Since its inception, the Stovall Awards Reception has raised more than $1.2 million, directly supporting our mission to advocate for quality cancer care for all. Read the Announcement of the 2025 Stovall Award Winners »

The reception is part of NCCS’s Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) Symposium, a national gathering of cancer survivors, caregivers, clinicians, and advocates focused on improving quality cancer care.

Buy Tickets Online Buy Tickets By Mail (PDF Form) Sponsorship Brochure (PDF)

Meet the Awardees

Governor Larry Hogan

NCCS Public Service Leadership Award
The prestigious Public Service Leadership Award recognizes Governor Hogan for his extraordinary courage and unwavering advocacy in the face of a personal cancer diagnosis, and for his impactful leadership in advancing public cancer awareness and policy. Diagnosed in 2015 with advanced non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma during his first term as governor, Hogan made the uncommon and courageous choice to share his treatment journey publicly, helping to destigmatize cancer and inspire hope among patients and families nationwide.

Governor Hogan’s transparency — from governing the state from his hospital bed while undergoing 24-hour chemotherapy to sharing personal milestones like hair loss and recovery challenges — turned his office into a platform for advocacy. His promise to “stand with all of those who are fighting this terrible disease” shaped a legacy of public service that goes beyond policy and into personal example.

In 2022, he launched the Maryland Cancer Moonshot Initiative, a $216 million investment in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, including funding for the University of Maryland Capital Region’s Center for Advanced Medicine in Prince George’s County.

His commitment is echoed in the work of First Lady Yumi Hogan, whose organization YUMI CARES supports pediatric cancer patients through art therapy and public education. Together, the Hogans have created a lasting impact on the cancer community in Maryland and across the nation.

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Susan Leigh, BSN, RN-Retired

Ellen L. Stovall Award — Health Care Professional Award
“Susan Leigh has dedicated five decades to transforming cancer survivorship care. As a nurse, a researcher, a veteran, and a four-time cancer survivor, she has shaped national conversations about survivorship, long-term effects of treatment, and patient empowerment. As a founding member and past president of NCCS, Susan has been a driving force behind the survivorship movement. Her leadership, resilience, and unwavering advocacy continue to inspire generations of health professionals and survivors alike.”

— Shelley Fuld Nasso, NCCS CEO

Susan Leigh, BSN, RN-Retired, is a pioneering leader in oncology nursing and cancer survivorship. Her commitment to patient-centered care began with her own cancer diagnosis in 1972, shortly after returning from a tour of duty as a U.S. Army Nurse Corps Lieutenant in Vietnam. Since then, Susan has survived Hodgkin lymphoma, breast cancer, bladder cancer, and lung cancer—using her lived experience to inform decades of work in oncology and survivorship advocacy.

She was a founding member of NCCS in 1986 and later served as President of the Board of Directors, playing an instrumental role in shaping the survivorship movement from its earliest days. Susan has served on numerous national committees at organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, Oncology Nursing Society, and Association of Oncology Social Work. She co-developed groundbreaking resources like the Cancer Survival Toolbox and led national retreats for survivors including the Life Beyond Cancer program at Miraval Resort.

Susan is widely recognized for her contributions to patient-centered research, clinical education, and health equity. Even in retirement, she continues to support survivors and health professionals alike, advocating for the recognition of long-term and late effects and the integration of survivorship care into mainstream oncology.

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Desirée A.H. Walker

Ellen L. Stovall Award — Patient Advocate Award
“Desirée Walker exemplifies the spirit of patient-centered advocacy that Ellen Stovall championed. As a two-time breast cancer survivor, Desirée brings lived experience, compassion, and relentless determination to her work. She is a national voice for equity in cancer care and a dedicated supporter of underserved communities. Her ability to bridge research, policy, and real-world patient needs makes her a powerful force in shaping a more inclusive future for cancer survivorship.”

— Shelley Fuld Nasso, NCCS CEO

Diagnosed with breast cancer at ages 38 and 47, Desirée Walker transformed her personal experience into a global mission to educate, empower, and advocate—particularly for communities historically underserved by the cancer care system.

She currently serves as President of the Young Survival Coalition’s Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Patient and Family Advisory Council. Desirée’s advocacy spans a wide network, with roles on the NCCS Cancer Policy and Advocacy Training Steering Committee, Society of Integrative Oncology, SWOG Cancer Research Network, and the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Medical Oncology Board.

Desirée facilitates support groups for women of African heritage and educates medical professionals through programs like SHARE Cancer Support’s Side by Side, where she trains clinicians in compassionate communication. Her voice is frequently called upon at national conferences, advisory boards, and media outlets such as NBC’s TODAY Show, ABC World News, The Breakfast Club, and SHAPE Magazine.

Through all of her efforts, Desirée remains grounded in her desire to be a voice for the voiceless and a bridge between systems of care and the lived experiences of patients.

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