ABOUT US
The mission of the American Cancer Society is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
Friday, April 5, 2024
The Post Oak Hotel
WHY TICKLED PINK
Tickled Pink is the American Cancer Society’s premier fundraising luncheon honoring prominent Houstonians in the Greater Houston area who have made significant contributions to our community. The afternoon will highlight the incredible accomplishments of these pioneering individuals. Additionally, the afternoon will feature a VIP Reception and our featured keynote speaker, American Cancer Society’s Chief Patient Officer, Dr. Arif Kamal, who will share a meaningful message of HOPE.
Honorees
Nelda Blair
Chree Boydstun
Shelley Reeves Boyer
Cheryl Creuzot
Evelyn Leightman
Janette Marx
Sue Smith
Event Chairs
Jacquie Baly
Beth Wolff
Cynthia Wolff
Honorary Chair
Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman
Introducing our 2024 keynote speaker
Dr. Arif Kamal, American Cancer Society’s Chief Patient Officer
Dr. Arif Kamal serves as chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society. In this newly created role, Dr. Kamal drives coordinated efforts to accelerate progress against cancer through the organization’s patient-, caregiver-, and healthcare professional-facing activities.
He leads the American Cancer Society’s patient support objectives and the development of strategic plans to measurably improve the lives of people with cancer and their families. Dr. Kamal oversees the organization’s cancer support, patient navigation, educational programs, patient lodging solutions, transportation services, contact center, and digital patient support offerings, as well as all aspects of organizational functions that touch cancer patients across 5,000 communities around the globe.
Prior to joining the American Cancer Society, Dr. Kamal served for more than 12 years as an oncologist, researcher, and innovative leader at Duke University and the Duke Cancer Institute. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Population Health at the Duke University School of Medicine, and recently served as physician quality and outcomes officer at the Duke Cancer Institute. He holds nationally recognized expertise in oncology quality assessment and palliative care.
In addition to clinical and academic pursuits at Duke Cancer Institute, Dr. Kamal co-founded Prepped Health, a company that develops innovative technology solutions to educate and engage patients facing a serious illness like cancer and their caregivers. He also holds several leadership positions within prestigious national professional organizations, has won numerous awards, and is a prolific author.
Dr. Kamal received his medical degree from the six-year combined BA/MD program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, with residencies and fellowships at the Mayo Clinic and Duke University. He holds a master’s degree in health science in clinical research from Duke University and a master’s in business administration from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
Dr. Kamal lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with his wife and two young children.
Where The Money Goes
Money raised by Tickled Pink will provide vital funds to support patient programs and assist with funding the $78 million in breast cancer research that the American Cancer Society funds annually. In addition to research, the American Cancer Society helps nearly 1 million people touched by cancer each year get the help they need, when and where they need it. ACS helps patients and their families with their most pressing needs: getting rides to life-saving treatment, navigating the health care system, and dealing with the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
$5,000,000,000
American Cancer Society has funded $5 billion in cancer research since 1946
$2,000,000
Free transportation through Road To Recovery transportation grants for the neediest patients in 2021
$37,000,000
Active cancer research grants across Texas
$395,000,000
Currently funding in active grants
For more information, please contact Lindsey Brown at lindsey.brown@cancer.org or 281.764.8740.
www.cancer.org
24/7 Cancer Helpline 800-227-2345