When I was younger, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.

At my age and at the time, it was all a bit of a blur. Seeing my mom being taken into surgery as a child was confusing; opening the door to neighbors bringing food to our home while she recovered was odd. It took longer than I would like to admit for me to actually understand what cancer was doing to my mom and what has done to others. While I am lucky to have my mom alive and well, there are many people around the world who have lost someone to cancer. The loss of a loved one to a disease that seems as if it just appears out of nowhere is heartbreaking, but to know that there are organizations that are working every day to bring an end to cancer in any of its forms is heartwarming.

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That’s how I felt when I sat inside of the Montage Beverly Hills for the John Wayne Cancer Institute‘s La Odisea award ceremony and dinner. Although the event may have happened a few months ago, the emotions it instilled in me have carried long after the night ended. Within the ballroom of the hotel, I learned more about the John Wayne Cancer Institute, an auxiliary to the Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica. The organization which began in 1981 by the family of John Wayne has continuously fought to bring an end to cancer. Coming to be after John Wayne passed to stomach cancer, the institute is comprised of leading researchers and doctors looking to find ways to prevent the disease and treat it.

While the dinner catered by the Montage Hotel following the ceremony was delicious, I couldn’t help but be ecstatic by the praise given to the award recipients. Sure the salad, filet mignon, and the churros were something I delighted to have, but it was the speeches narratives of the award recipients that replayed in my head. Taking home “The Duke” Special Service Award was Dr. Santosh Kesari and the Generation of Hope Award went to Dan Hay. Joining the John Wayne Cancer Institute in 2015, Dr. Kesari was inspired by his father to focus on the medical field. With a mother as a cancer survivor, he has devoted much of his medical career to finding a cure that has impacted his own family. With over 30 patents issued and pending and seeing an average of 120 patients in his clinic per month, Dr. Kesari contributes to the fight against cancer by working diligently every day to determine what methods may reach a desired outcome.

Just as significant as the award was for Dr. Kesari was the award given to Dan Hay. Hay’s relationship with cancer came after his eldest son was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 28 year-old. Although he beat it, Hay thanks the John Wayne Cancer Institute for saving his son. As a philanthropist, and president and CEO of Premier Girls Fastpitch, Inc. & Surf City Tourneys, Inc, Hay is constantly giving back to his community and the young adults within his organizations. With both of his organizations, he brings awareness of cancer prevention especially for budding athletes. Since the John Wayne Cancer Institute is a partner charity for the organizations he leads, it was great to see him take home such an award for all he does at the local level.

As the evening concluded with a nicely designed menu, great music, and lovely company I was so happy to have witnessed the efforts of two men who are actively trying to bring an end to a disease that impacts many. The steps they have taken and the work they are doing whether in the lab or in their community is tremendous. To see them receive an award for everything they do daily, like many others, is inspiring and I can’t wait to see where they and the John Wayne Cancer Institute go.

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