Community Impact Award

‘Relay For Life’ Founder,
India Medical College Advisor
Honored with 2008 Community Impact Awards

Gordon Klatt, MD, Tacoma, WA, founder of the American Cancer Society’s “Relay For Life,” was honored with the 2008 Community Impact Award of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) during its Annual Meeting, June 7 – 11, in Boston, MA.

A second award was presented to Michael R. B. Keighley, MB, BS, MS, FRCS, Warwickshire, UK, for his work as a pro bono advisor and mentor at Christian Medical College and University Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, South India. 

Dr. Klatt initiated what became the “Relay For Life” in 1985, when he resolved to highlight a need for greater funding in the fight against cancer by circling the track at the University of Puget Sound for 24 hours – symbolizing the never-ending battle cancer patients face.

With money pledged from friends and family members for each mile completed, he raised $27,000 and spawned what has become the world’s largest non-profit fundraising event.  “Relay For Life” has since raised more than $3 billion.

After retiring from the National Health Service in 2004, Prof. Keighley agreed to serve as an external academic advisor and clinical mentor to Christian Medical College (CMC Vellore).  His activities – all self-funded – support healthcare for the poor, created a specialty colorectal service at an independent hospital, and helped develop ties with rural mission hospitals that provide outreach surgical services to people of the Indian sub-continent.   

Prof. Keighley spends between two and three months each year at CMC Vellore, and has made a total of 12 trips in the past four years.  At home, he serves on the “Friends of Vellore” Executive Committee, which raises funds to support the institution.  

The Community Impact Award, established in 2006, recognizes ASCRS members for outstanding humanitarian achievement and citizenship.

“Many Society members are doing important volunteer work in their communities.  The Community Impact Award is one way we recognize and promote their efforts,” says Public Relations Committee Chair Deborah A. Nagle, MD, Boston, MA.