The Oliver R. Grace Award for Distinguished Service in Advancing Cancer Research recognizes the contributions of dedicated companies and individuals whose leadership has helped to advance cancer research through their fundraising, advocacy, or awareness efforts.
The Award is named in memory of Oliver R. Grace, CRI’s founding chairman, who died in 1992 and received the award posthumously the following year.
In 1975, CRI founder Helen Coley Nauts was the first recipient of this award, which is a commemorative medal. Other recipients include Mary Lasker in 1977 and Lewis Thomas, M.D., in 1987.
2020
Mark E. Fischbach aka "Markiplier"
2019
Oliver R. Grace, Jr.
Chief Executive, Grace Family Office
Axel Hoos
Senior Vice President of Oncology R&D
GlaxoSmithKline
2018
Perri Peltz
Journalist and Filmmaker
George D. Yancopoulos
Founding Scientist, President, and Chief Scientific Officer
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
2017
Bill Anderson
CEO
Genentech
Bruce Ratner
Philanthropist and NYC Real Estate Developer
2016
Robert A. Bradway
Chairman & CEO
Amgen
2015
Kenneth C. Frazier
Chairman & CEO
Merck & Co.
Lauren S. Veronis
Philanthropist and Trustee
Cancer Research Institute
2014
Murdo Gordon
Head, Worldwide Markets
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Jacques C. Nordeman
Chairman
Nordeman Grimm, Inc.
2013
Bahija Jallal, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President, Research and Development
AstraZeneca
Sean Parker
Serial tech entrepreneur and philanthropist
2012
Mark P. Frissora
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Hertz Corporation
Dr. Severin Schwan
Chief Executive Officer
Roche Corporation
2011
Mitchell H. Gold, M.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dendreon Corporation
Laura Ziskin (1950-2011)
Film Producer and Cancer Activist
2010
Andrew Witty
Chief Executive Officer
GlaxoSmithKline
Michael Kors
American Fashion Designer
2009
Fred Hassan
Chairman & CEO
Schering-Plough Corporation
2008
Carlos A. Ferrer
Founder & Managing Member
Ferrer Freeman & Company, LLC
2007
David R. Brennan
Chairman & CEO
AstraZeneca PLC
Wade F.B. Thompson
Chairman, CEO, & Co-Founder
Thor Industries, Inc.
2006
Julian H. Robertson Jr.
Chairman
Tiger Management LLC
2005
Robert L. Bratzler, Ph.D.
President & CEO
Coley Pharmaceutical Group
Carol Hamilton
President
L'Oreal Paris
2004
Dr. Daniel L. Vasella
Chairman & CEO
Novartis AG
2003
Mrs. Anna-Maria Kellen
Philanthropist & CRI Trustee
Dr. Henry A. McKinnell Jr.
Chairman of the Board & CEO
Pfizer Inc.
2002
Katie Couric
Co-Anchor, NBC New's Today
Founder, National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance
Peter R. Dolan
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
2001
Geoffrey T. Boisi
Vice Chairman
JPMorgan Chase & Co
Andrea Jung
Chief Executive Officer
Avon Products, Inc.
Kevin W. Sharer
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Amgen Inc.
Sidney Taurel
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
Eli Lilly and Company
2000
Walter A. Gubert
Vice Chairman
J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated
Dr. Franz B. Humer
Chief Executive Officer
Head of Pharmaceuticals Division
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
1999
Robert C. Black
President
Zeneca Pharmaceuticals
Donald J. Gogel
President & CEO
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
1998
John S. Chalsty
Chairman
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc.
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf
U.S. Army, Retired
Wayne P. Yetter
President & CEO
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
1997
Jean-Pierre Garnier, Ph.D.
CEO
SmithKline Beecham
Allen D. Wheat
Chairman & CEO
Credit Suisse First Boston
1996
Michael H. Jordon
Chairman & CEO
Westinghouse Electric Corporation
Robert N. Wilson
Vice Chairman, Board of Directors
Johnson & Johnson
1995
Gordon Binder
Chairman & CEO
Amgen
John F. Smith Jr.
CEO & President
General Motors Corporation
1993
Oliver R. Grace
1987
Lewis Thomas
1977
Mary Lasker
1975
Helen Coley Nauts