AACR Volunteers and Ambassadors

AACR Runners for Research 5K Run/Walk Draws Hundreds

1. Michael J. Belt, head of the Oncology Congress Centre of Excellence at AstraZeneca; Danielle Triplett, of the AACR; and AACR President Lillian L. Siu, MD, prepare for the AACR Runners for Research 5K Run/Walk April 26 in Chicago. 2. The Chicago Hoyas celebrate winning the awards for best team spirit. 3. AACR Runners for Research 5K Run/Walk participants pose for a group photo. 4. Participants line up at the starting line of the AACR Runners for Research 5K Run/Walk.

Before the opening session of the American Association for Cancer Research® (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025 kicked off in Chicago, AACR members, meeting attendees, and runners from more than 20 countries and the local area gathered at the Chicago Firefighter and Paramedic Memorial for the annual AACR Runners for Research 5K Run/Walk on April 26. In addition to supporting a healthy, active lifestyle and some healthy competition, the event raises funds for lifesaving cancer research. Whether participating as an individual or with a team, registered runners created their own fundraising pages as a way for their friends, families, and professional networks to donate to the AACR.

This year, 850 runners registered for the event, representing 61 teams and individual runners. Nearly $277,000 was raised by sponsors, runners, and donors by the close of the Annual Meeting on April 30.

Congratulations to the top three female runners—Gabrielle Kennelley, Carly Kenselaar, and Lauren Meeks—and the top three male runners—Ben Hauk, Marek Feith, and
Alex Moreau.

The top individual fundraiser was Christine Coticchia. Team AstraZeneca was presented with awards for being both the largest team and the top fundraising team. Second place for fundraising effort went to Team Crushing Cholangiocarcinoma, whose captain, Julienne Thomas-Hall, created the team to honor her mother, Juanita, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2024. A special award for best team spirit went to the Chicago Hoyas. Other standout teams included the Cancer Center at Illinois, the AACR Associate Member Council Run Team, and the Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers.

Another notable team, from Agilent Technologies, stated: “We are honored to participate in the AACR 5K Run/Walk, standing alongside the scientific community in the race against cancer. Every day counts in the fight to advance cancer research, and we are committed to enabling continuous progress in cancer research and therapeutic development. We also extend our support to the cancer community, recognizing their strength and resilience in this journey.”

We are grateful for everyone who participated in and contributed to the success of this event.

Partners in Progress Honoree: Daniel D. Von Hoff

Each year at the AACR Annual Meeting, one evening is dedicated to celebrating the partners and friends who work together with the AACR Foundation for the prevention and cure of cancer. This event, the Partners in Progress Reception, is also an opportunity to recognize an individual’s contributions to cancer science. This year, Daniel D. Von Hoff, MD, received the prestigious honor.

An internationally recognized innovator in the development of multiple cancer therapies, Dr. Von Hoff is a distinguished professor at the Translational Genomics Institute in Phoenix and at City of Hope in Duarte, California, as well as a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. He has shared his leadership and expertise with the AACR, serving on the AACR Board of Directors from 1993 to 1996 and then as AACR president from 1999 to 2000. Dr. Von Hoff’s accolades include being elected a Fellow of the AACR Academy, the American College of Physicians, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Dr. Von Hoff has dedicated his career to advancing progress against cancer and markedly improving survival for patients with breast, lung, colon, prostate, pancreas, and skin cancers, as well as leukemia. He has been involved in more than 400 clinical trials and helped launch a global network of experts to address the complexities of pancreatic cancer. Dr. Von Hoff has developed numerous drugs that have improved the survival of patients with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, including gemcitabine. A prolific scientist and author, he has published more than 800 peer-reviewed articles, about 1,200 proffered abstracts, and 143 book chapters. He was also the founding editor-in-chief for two journals, including the AACR journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.

The extraordinary contributions Dr. Von Hoff has made in the field of cancer science and medicine cannot be overstated. His clinical research career and leadership in establishing the AACR/ASCO Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop resulted in his receiving the 2019 Distinguished Public Service Award from the AACR. This workshop has prepared more than 5,000 young clinical investigators across the U.S., Europe, and Asia to carry out innovative and optimally designed translational cancer research studies. The annual AACR Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research was first granted in 2020.

“I was fortunate to be born into a great home, but I wish I would not have been born so short,” he joked in his acceptance remarks. “The one thing that would turn me around on that was becoming a member of the AACR—no height or outward appearance requirement. Thank you for this honor and thank you, Dr. Foti and the AACR, for making us all feel taller against this disease.”

We are grateful for Dr. Von Hoff, his meaningful accomplishments, and his enormous contributions to the education and training of thousands of clinical cancer investigators. This year, Dr. Von Hoff’s namesake award was presented to Robert C. Bast Jr., MD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for his transformative impact on the field of cancer science and the continued growth of a highly skilled and innovative cancer research community.

DIY Fundraiser: Kristen O’Neill

Kristen O’Neill atop the first peak of her challenge, Torre in Serra da Estrela, Portugal.

Kristen O’Neill explains her AACR Do-It-Yourself (DIY) fundraiser to climb the highest points in each European country in this way:

“This challenge is for cancer warriors past, present, and especially future. When I’m asked if there is someone for whom I’m doing this, it’s difficult to answer. The sad truth is that there are too many cancer cases in my circle, and this seems to be true for many of us. I am doing this for each one—family, friends, families of friends, friends of family.”

This is the opening statement on O’Neill’s DIY fundraising page. The DIY space allows individuals to combine doing the things they love with raising critical funds for lifesaving cancer research. O’Neill’s fundraiser is based on her love for hiking and climbing.

O’Neill is taking DIY fundraising to new heights, literally, with her “Crown of Cureope” challenge, aiming to summit the highest points in each European country. Her current plan is to complete 46 peaks across 47 countries by the end of 2027. Summits range from 246 feet to 15,771 feet. In 2025, she plans to tackle 25 summits to raise $2,500.

Kristen kicked off her “crown” in Portugal with Torre in March, followed by four more peaks: Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in Wales, Scafell Pike in England, Signal de Botrange in Belgium, and Kneiff in Luxembourg. She will document her journey online at CrownofCureope.org.

We are excited to follow along with Kristen as she scales mountains for cancer research. Learn more about how you can turn your passions and interests into support for lifesaving cancer research at AACR.org/DIY.