-
- Posted Thursday April 21, 2022
TGen recognizes Lynda Carter Altman and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community at its annual Founders Dinner
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — April 21, 2022 — Lynda Carter Altman and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community were honored April 7 with awards at the 2022 TGen Founders Dinner, presented by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of City of Hope.
Carter Altman, the well-known actress, singer and advocate who portrayed Wonder Woman in the original television series, received TGen’s John S. McCain Leadership Award in recognition of her advocacy for TGen’s and City of Hope’s research and clinical advances in precision medicine. Named after the late U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the annual award recognizes individuals or organizations whose leadership and dedication have made a significant impact in the fight against disease and improving the quality of life for patients worldwide.
“I am so grateful to have received this award. The ceremony reminded me of everything John McCain stood for: leadership, strength, and bravery, all in service to the great state of Arizona,” said Carter Altman.
Lynda Carter Altman (photo at left) receives TGen's John S. McCain Leadership Award from Michael A. Caligiuri (left), M.D., President of the City of Hope National Medical Center, and Jeffery M. Trent (right), Ph.D., TGen President and Research Director. The Hon. Martin Harvier (photo at right), President of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, receives TGen's Collaborative Spirit Award from Dr. Trent.
“We present the leadership award, named after the late Sen. McCain, to someone with that maverick spirit, that willingness to be fearless in what they believe and advocate for the causes they support. Lynda Carter Altman fits that bill perfectly, including her groundbreaking support for breast cancer and several social issues,” said TGen President and Research Director Dr. Jeffrey Trent, who also welcomed her as the newest member of the TGen Foundation Board of Directors.
In terms of her board appointment, Carter Altman remarked, “My greatest hope in working with TGen is that we can work together to lessen the suffering that comes with a terminal diagnosis.”
Also honored at the event was the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC), which received TGen’s Collaborative Spirit Award.
“We are honored to receive this award,” said the Hon. Martin Harvier, President of the SRPMIC. “The mutual respect between our community and TGen provides the foundation for all our collaborative success and we are hopeful our work together will improve the quality of life for our members and others throughout the world.”
The SRPMIC were among the earliest supporters of TGen and for the past 20 years have collaborated on research studies in diabetes, renal cell carcinoma, COVID-19 and, soon, the largest clinical genomic study of cancer among Native Americans in U.S. history.
“I have long recognized the great but unmet medical need the tribal communities have,” said Dr. Trent. “Since our initial meeting 20 years ago, our partnership has sustained five administrations due to TGen’s commitment to building trust and following the tribal lead on projects at the request of the community. The community is most deserving of the Collaborative Spirit Award.”
# # #
About TGen, part of City of Hope
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based nonprofit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life-changing results. TGen is part of City of Hope, a world-renowned independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases: CityofHope.org. This precision medicine affiliation enables both institutes to complement each other in research and patient care, with City of Hope providing a significant clinical setting to advance scientific discoveries made by TGen. TGen is focused on helping patients with neurological disorders, cancer, diabetes and infectious diseases through cutting-edge translational research (the process of rapidly moving research toward patient benefit). TGen physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common and complex rare diseases in adults and children. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities worldwide, TGen makes a substantial contribution to help our patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. For more information, visit: tgen.org. Follow TGen on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @TGen.
Media Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
