NCCS to Recognize Susan Leigh, BSN, RN and Desirée Walker with 2025 Ellen L. Stovall Award

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Ellen L. Stovall Award for Innovation in Patient-Centered Cancer Care:

Susan Leigh, BSN, RN-Retired – Health Care Professional Award
Desirée A.H. Walker – Patient Advocate Award

The Ellen L. Stovall Award, named in honor of longtime NCCS CEO and three-time cancer survivor Ellen Stovall, is the only national award that recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact on the delivery of patient-centered cancer care.

Each year, NCCS presents the award to two recipients: one health care professional and one patient advocate or advocacy organization. Awardees are selected by a panel of experts and advocates from a highly competitive pool of nominees who exemplify Ellen’s vision of placing survivors at the center of the cancer care experience.

In 2025, we are pleased to present the Stovall Awards as part of the Igniting Hope: Celebrating Advocacy & Survivorship Awards Reception in Washington, DC—an evening of celebration and recognition of leaders transforming the future of cancer care.

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Honoring the 2025 Stovall Award Recipients

Susan Leigh, BSN, RN-Retired

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

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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Stovall Award Reception Details

We are thrilled to recognize Desirée and Susan for their extraordinary contributions to the field of cancer survivorship. Please join us at the Igniting Hope: Celebrating Advocacy & Survivorship Awards Reception on June 26, 2025 in Washington, DC, to celebrate their achievements and honor the legacy of Ellen L. Stovall.

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Learn more about the Ellen L. Stovall Award »